Recording a band (new to recording)

[michigan~]

I need to record a band with five members (I am the drummer.) The instruments we need to record are: Guitar (amped), guitar (acoustic), bass (amped), keyboards, saxophone, drums and hand percussion. We also need to record vocals.

We are looking to make a demo CD with 6-8 songs.
Equipment we have so far:

1 Fostex MR8-HD
2 SM57's
2 MXL 603s
1 MXL V67

We have great musicians in the band, and are easily able to lay down many tracks separately using a click. We plan to record these demos playing separately (for the most part.)

*Is this equipment a good start? (the Fostex could still be returned/exchanged for something else)
*What other equipment will we need to make a 6-8 song demo CD?

We are aiming for good quality. Not necessarily professional. We want this demo to sound great to the average listener. Please also note that I have made a conscious decision not to use a PC to record.

Thanks in advance

 

[mikemorgan]

Two pieces of advice, keep as many tracks as possible in the first generation (no Bouncing). If you must bounce tracks, bounce the things that are not as important in the song like drums and rythm guitars.

Secondly, find the best acoustical space you can for recording. If it sounds good live, it'll have a pretty good chance on tape provided you can place those mics in ear pleasing spots.

 

[michigan~]

bump... any more suggestions?

 

[Dani Pace]

Try to keep everything as simple as possible. Often "less is more," when recording. We all tend(ed) to try to do too much, especialy when first starting recording. Remember all the parts should complement the other parts, sounds will compete for space on a recording. Experiment with everything, settings, placement, volume etc... Don't rush through the process, good recordings rarely happen on the first try. Learn some relaxation techniques, deep breathing or whatever, you will likely have plenty of frustrating moments. When something simply refuses to set right, don't panic, just do it over. If you haven't already learned patience, relax, you will by the time you finish twenty or so songs.

 

[songwritten]

I need to record a band with five members (I am the drummer.) The instruments we need to record are: Guitar (amped), guitar (acoustic), bass (amped), keyboards, saxophone, drums and hand percussion. We also need to record vocals.

We are looking to make a demo CD with 6-8 songs.
Equipment we have so far:

1 Fostex MR8-HD
2 SM57's
2 MXL 603s
1 MXL V67

We have great musicians in the band, and are easily able to lay down many tracks separately using a click. We plan to record these demos playing separately (for the most part.)

*Is this equipment a good start? (the Fostex could still be returned/exchanged for something else)
*What other equipment will we need to make a 6-8 song demo CD?

We are aiming for good quality. Not necessarily professional. We want this demo to sound great to the average listener. Please also note that I have made a conscious decision not to use a PC to record.

Thanks in advance

I remember recording my band for the first time. Wow...those were the days.

Honestly, just spend a week and read everything on this message board. Use the search function for things like "recording an electric guitar," "recording an acoustic guitar," "recording vocals." You will come up with tons of threads on each topic and each one will give you more and more ideas.

I hope everything goes well, and I hope/know you (will) learn a great deal from this experience.

 

[Herm]

If your going for the average listener forget about making a great recording.
It doesnt make a shit.

 

[mikemorgan]

A little jaded there, analog boy?


Oh, and how's the shoulder??

 

[jonnyc]

If you have a decent pc then you should consider picking up Reaper and maybe a small mixer like a yamaha or something. I actually started with Cubase SE, a soundblaster, and a Yammy and it worked great. You could only seperate the drums into two stereo tracks but it still worked nicely and with something like reaper you'll have no need to bounce tracks or anything like that. Actually I'm just browsing through a MF cataloge and noticed the Alesis io14. It's a firewire interface with 4 pre's built in and comes with Cubase le all for 300 bucks. If you have a decent pc(doesn't have to be great) you should really consider something like this.