Recording back at home...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hard2Hear
  • Start date Start date
Hard2Hear

Hard2Hear

New member
This is my first mix back at home after working in the big studios for a while. I'm hoping some of what we did there will rub off on my home-gear use. I will bring 1 or 2 after they are completed at the mixing studio and have been through the mastering process, just for a comparison of the RIGHT way to do it! :)

Used here: PC with M-Audio Delta 44 and Midisport 2x2. Roland JV1010 for drums and piano sound, Pod for Guitar using my Powerhouse Strat on this one. Vocals are an Apex 430 thru a Symetrix 576 pre. I recorded this all in SonarXL, and have began using MIDI to it's real capabilities for the first time. Mixed it all in SonarXL and touched up "Mastering" (ha ha) in Wavelab.

This is my first time working in Sonar, and also my first time doing guitars with a Pod. Please let me know what you think of this one!

The song is "Tell Me" and is here: http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/4/1071/singles.shtml

Thanks!
H2H
 
I generally don't like this musical format.

But I've had it looping for the last 65 minutes and haven't had the inclination to direct my mouse towards something else.

That means you've created a mix that will sustain the negative impact test. :)

Nice job.
 
Last edited:
wow doc, I'm humbled by your comments! Thanks so much!

H2H
 
Good job on the mix. Like the song. The lead makes me think of Lynnard Skynnard. :) Killer vocals!
 
I wont lie,

you've got a real polished sound out of your gear.

I am hearing a lot of stereo width.

You are getting a really good sound of your vocal chain. WHat eq settings have you applied?

I also like how the instruments form a circle around the vocals.

Nice job.

Funk on!

I think the vocal is a bit wet though as in reverb. just a tad bit.
 
I reread your post and you are using jv1010 on drums and piano. How come I have not been able to get that sound out of mines :)
 
Hey CJ-

I guess I have you to thank for the vocal sound!:) The Symetrix works well for me. I bypass the EQ on it, just add a little 10-12k boost for air and roll off the bottom end that isn't being used, below 90 hz or so I guess. Plus that el-cheapo Apex 430 rocks. I use it over an NT2 or anything else I have right now. And Monster Studio500 cabling all the way to the soundcard. I think that helps in the clarity.

The JV1010 sounds are dead stock! Just running everything in balanced stereo. I'm triggering it with a Casio Keyboard.:)

Thanks for listening!
H2H
 
I really liked it,great songwriting!
You have a really good voice.

Seems like the lead needs to come up a tad,and mabey an electric piano or organ would fit better with the rock sound of the guitars.Just my humble opinion.

Can't wait to hear your studio stuff!

Pete
 
muzeman-

Thanks for listening! I am really bad at overusing a B3 sound in all my songs, because I LOVE it!! I kinda took a break and added piano in this one to be a little different. Seems like piano is coming back in pop-rock right now. Were you referring to lead vocal or lead guitar needing to come up?

Thanks again!
H2H
 
Solid song writting. You make the dynamic arrangment work with the vocal delivery in a very complimentary way. The git chops were mature and steady ,if not a bit rote, and the tracking was envious IMO.

Hope to get sound like you someday.

Nice recording!! It came across a tad cluttered in the center but, I tend to say that about a lot of mixes. I think my ears are too close together ( ha ha).

Thanks for a nice, vibrant and lofty listen.


Theron.
 
theron-

Thanks alot for listening! One thing...what is "rote"? :) My vocabulary stinks!


Thanks again!
H2H
 
Rote means routine and mechanical. I was trying to respectfully express my opinion that the lead git could have been more inspired and emotionally daring. I can't play a lead to save my sorry ass so, I shouldn't venture too far into the land of solo guitar. However, that was my imediate thought and it remains so.

Still, I stand firmly by my statment that this is a solid song with great dynamics.

theron
 
I like it........I especially like the lead...go figure...I think that it has got plenty of emotion......The lead may get a tad repetitive in that oasis sort of way; with the constant bending of the 2nd up a whole step to the third of the chord...Nevertheless, that technique works for me.......and I like it....

It's interesting your using the pod...I just bought one yesterday and haven't really got around to using in it that much...but I think that with it you should be able to create a different tone for the lead in away that separates it a little more from the rythmn...it needs a little more oompf so to speak......

Finally, I think that the piano has a good sound but I'm not sure if it's working as good as it could be with the other instruments...Sounds too upfront to me on my stereo as if it's in a different "room." Everything else sounds far back.....I would like to hear the whole song done with a more upfront sound if only because I think that this type of song usually has that upfront quality to it when recorded professionally.......but I don't know what you are really going for......And I don't really know what I'm talking about either :D

Whatever you went for, it worked and it worked well.....I'm just trying to be of help and I am just a homerecording idiot...So take what I say with a grain of salt....I really liked it and just thought I'd add some comments that I think could be improved upon in comparison to professional stuff......Then again like I said, I'm not a pro...and your mix probably sounds alot better than mine..:)


Good Work..Nice song


- nave
 
I am really bad at overusing a B3 sound in all my songs, because I LOVE it!!
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to disagree but it's impossible to over use a B-3.:D .
Man, that's just a kick ass tune all the way around. You got a good sound on the vocal with the 430. I have a 420 and it's hit or miss with different vocalists in my experience. Great mix!
 
theron-
Thanks for the explanation:). I rarely come up with great guitar solos, I am more a songwriter and less a blazing guitar player, and it often shows.

nave-
I tend to stick to sounds I use live when recording. There are actually 5 guitar parts in that song, and 3 of them are Matchless Chieftan models I created with different settings and gain values. My lead guitar player plays a Chieftan most of the time. I'll keep it in mind to go out on a limb more often though! The piano can be changed, it was my first pick on the JV 1010...maybe I'll play with it a bit today.

Track Rat-
You're right about the B3 sound. What was I thinking?? :)

Thanks for listening!
H2H
 
In the wrong hands a B3 is a very dangerous thing. I like the piano and agree it fits the Skynerd feel of the song. If I used a B3 it would be whole note chords on the chorus, but the song doesn't need it.
You're doing a good job selling the POD. I gotta take one home & give it a try.
The cymbals are a dead giveaway of a sound module (for me, anyway, I'm used to the Roland sounds). If you could mic some cymbals and drop them in here and there I think it would help.

Great guitars, great balance, excellent song.
I saw your post in the Cakewalk forum. Good thinking. I'm using Sonar, too, as I cut my recording teeth on Cakewalk midi. It's now replaced my HD recorder for audio.

BTW 16 or 24-bit on tracking?
 
h2h, well done man. it's very well put together and the stereo width is excellent. Love the guitars and the drums don't sound too midi like.

I'd like the vocal to come through the mix a little more though. It gets buried in the guitar in some parts. I say add the B3. Sparingly though. Think black crows. Don't think Jimmy Smith.
 
Chuck-
I always record at 24/48, just because that's what the studios I work in do, and it works for them. From what I hear, most people are using this setting in the pro world right now.

eric-
I'm going to work on the vocals, and I think I'll see how a touch of B3 sound works in it.

A nice little side note- I just got off the phone with my manager and this somg has already been picked up to be recorded professionally by a new artist. And it was written less than 24 hours ago. :)

Thanks for listening everyone!
H2H
 
solid work! love the song. vocals come through very well now. b3 is subtle. guitar is outstanding.

want some more feedback?

1. try adding some female vox for your harmonies in the chorus or try yourself. either way i think it would be worth trying out some harmonies above the melody line. sounds like your doubling the melody right now.
2. there are some pitch aberrations in your singing that could be quite easily corrected using something like anteres autotune. they have a demo version that lasts 10 days. don't get me wrong, your voice is right for the song, very Michael W. Smith like but the pitch slips are noticeable enough to want correction.
3. I don't think you need another band to do this, unless you really trust them with your art or your getting paid and you need the cash. Your doing quite well on your own in my opinion. Find a drummer and some backup singers that will work for food and finish it off on your own!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top