recording a turntablist?? HOW?

[chalin111]

Hey Everyone,

I have a turntablist in my band and were about to record ourselves using a Digi002R (Pro Tools) unit.

I've never mic'ed a turntablist before..and i wouldn't know how..or if that's even the way you're supposed to do it. I mean, a turntablist has their PA speaker setup...but do you mic one of their speakers? for some reason, that doesn't sound right...

Do you go from their mixer's outputs into a direct "line" input into the Digi002R?


The thing is..i don't want it to sound like we 'plugged' him in...i want it to sound like his cuts and mixes are recorded like 'he is there'..you know..a part of the band as a whole..not some 'extra track' sound we added later..know what i'm sayin?

Any suggestions..recording pro's..help..thanx

 

[MadAudio]

Do you go from their mixer's outputs into a direct "line" input into the Digi002R?

Yes, that's how.

 

[chalin111]

A direct line on the Digi 002R has no preamp right? You don't need preamplification when you plug direct, right? You only need a preamp for mic's, no?


Also, if i plug him direct versus mic'ing...what's the difference in sound? Why is direct line in, better? (for this particular situation)

 

[MadAudio]

You'll be taking the output from his mixer which is line level. No pre-amp needed. I have never heard of mic'ing a DJ. Ever.

 

[Afro J]

I plug my dj mixer into the alternate input (RCA jacks) of the 002r and send them to channel 7/8 and record them that way, freeing up the other inputs. Also good for when you want to just scratch because of the straght to monitor button on the 002r.

J

 

[thane1200]

A DJ mixer is also known as a Pre-Amp Mixer because it brings up the turntable level to a line level. Connect the REC outs of the DJ mixer into a stereo channels or use two mono channels. A turntablist should usually record in stereo because the juggling/scratching/rewinds sound WAY better in stereo.

 

[Sloan]

haha.
I would mic him anyway and maybe add some crazy effects to the sound of his hands spinnin' that wax.

 

[gtar02]

I had heard once that a band's dj played through a guitar amp with stompboxes and distortion, etc. I don't remeber who it was. It may have been limp bizkit (not a big fan, but it does sound like a neat idea to try), but i'm not sure. I would say experiment with a few different techniques and see what you like.

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

You should definitely connect the DJ into your mixer from his mixer.

Normally, the DJ would add the scratch track last (as the acconpaniment).

It will take most DJ's few recording passes to get their combination of scratch patterns to sound correct anyway.

You can add your FX to the dj scratch tracks at a later time.

I know that you want the DJ to sound as if he/she is part of the band. You should go the route of LINE IN, instead of mic'ing the dj monitor.

 

[Lazerskate]

If you can i'd mic it up and record direct on the same take then you'll get the clean direct sound plus the live support of the miked performance.

I tend to do this with a lot of things it gives a good "full" sound

 

[formerlyfzfile]

If you can i'd mic it up and record direct on the same take then you'll get the clean direct sound plus the live support of the miked performance.

Ditto.

I am kinda playing that role now in a band type situation ....... not actually turntables but samplers and kaoss pads and delays and varios ambiences all through a DJ mixer bunch of varios amps.....
we try and record the way we sound live.

When you say he sounds "plugged in" I assume you mean when you record???

Are you recording the band live??? or overdubbing the DJ tracks?

If you're recording live takes ..... put up some mics at his speakers or even out in the room. Let it bleed a little (i.e. get some of the rest of the band into the mics) and adjust the closeness of the mics to taste.
The farther away the more room and bleed, the closer the less bleed.

When you play live the sound of the band is a blended sound of all of the instruments so IF!! you want more of that type of sound then you need to let it blend a little.

Alternately ...... you could run some or all of the recorded tracks out through amps and /or the PA and overdub some room mics and just fade it up under the "clean" mix.

Just because you mic something doesnt mean you have to use that track if it doesnt accomplish what you need it to for the mix sound you want...... you can always turn the mic'd tracks up or down to taste but it would give you options.


-mike

 

[Rado]

WHAT KIND OF MIXER????
If its tascam plug directly.
If not some transformation may be need it.