Recording Question

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Greykitkat36

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Ok well, I have a recording question that i need answered as quiclky as possible. Myh band recorded a few songs on my Tascam 424mkIII Portastudio. We recorded everyone directly, except the bass. We used 2 guitars, Drums, Vocals. Now we have to add in the Bass. Can I still add a bass part in even though I recorded directly to all 4 tracks?
 
Yo Meow:

If all you have is 4 tracks and you've recorded on all of them, AND, you want to add BASS....

Well, you'll have to bounce one track to another so you can free up a track for your bass line.

I don't like bouncing tracks because you no longer can control each track; like if you add a little EQ to TWO bounced tracks, both instruments get the tweak and this may not be what you want.

So, I guess you have to decide what track to bounce to what track so you can have a track open for bass.

Green Hornet:D :cool:
 
You could also add the bass signal to the mix during mixdown, and keep all the tracks first generation quality.

Just get a good eq on all the tracks individually, then get a good mix on the line out signal, then plug your bass player DI or mic the amp on ch 5, 6, 7-8. Do the mixdown to a 2 track machine, or whatever format you are going for. (mp3, CD, VHS, stone tablets, etc.) I'd do several copies, adjusting the mix on the bass each time until you get the perfect mix. Keep all the settings exactly the same until you get it right.

I just spent the afternoon doing this same technique. My ears hurt, but it's a good kind of hurt.
 
Can u record all 5 band members at the same time? With all 5 inputs I mean. Because we were gonna do this for the rest of the album

Track 1- Vocals (Direct)
Track 2- Lead Guitar (Direct)
Track 3- Rythmn Guitar (Direct)
Track 4- Bass and Drums (Buss R)

But I heard u couldnt use Buss and direct at the same time? any help?
 
NO, don't bounce.

MIX your existing 4 tape tracks, for best possible mixdown presentation, AND THEN have your bass part routed into the L/R BUSS mix LIVE, [through inputs 5 or 6], and have your bassist play LIVE to the recorded tracks, and record that LIVE to 2-tracks, in it's entirety.

Don't bounce. I think you'll regret it. This other method gets all the primary parts in their first generation glory, given that your bassist can play all the way through the song without mistakes, otherwise, make him retake until it's right.

PS: I've added a 5th part to basic 4-tracks of tape, on mixdown, many, many times, with satisfactory results.

Try it.;)
 
Thank you. But I have another question. If we record everyone LIVE, all 5 instruments? Can we use all 5 inputs? Because i tried to add a track using input 5, and it didnt record it.
 
The answer is: On the 424mkIII,...

Using DIRECT recording mode pretty much precludes also using BUSS mode. You'll just have to come to terms with that, I'm afraid.

However, the fix to that, would be to get an outboard 4-BUSS mixer, such as the Tascam M-30, M-308, or others, which will enable you to use DIRECT-TO-4-TRACK-LIVE recording, while mixing your [up to 8] inputs to a 4-buss scheme, on the M-30.

An M312 and M320 would enable you to mix 12 and 20 live inputs, respectively, to a 4-buss scheme, while recording 4-DIRECT mode on the 424mkIII. Same concept as above, with the M-30, 8x4x2x2 mixer.

The reason I mention the M-30 so often, is because that's what I use. The M-30 can be had off Ebay, very cheaply, and it provides a significant boost in production power to the 424mkIII, which obviously has a few little shortcomings, despite being a very nice machine.

Remember, on the 424mkIII, using the DIRECT mode recording pretty much precludes using the BUSS mode, simultaneously, one reason being, that your DIRECT inputs are not separated from the BUSS effectively, AND, your buss-dedicated inputs are NOT picked up at all, as you have found out already.

I don't want to repeat myself more, & wear out my welcome.;)
 
But isnt it a lot harder to mix a BUSS recording compared to a DIRECT recording?
 
Certain aspects of taking, say, 8 inputs and mixing them down to 4 busses...

is more complex than, say, running 4 mic inputs directly to 4 tape tracks, sure.

It's more complex, but I wouldn't use the word "harder". In fact, depending on your array of instruments and vocals, sometimes it's easier. The specific patches and routings are as varied as the bands themselves, so I can't get more specific.

Anyway, you thought you had it going before, but your 5th part did not record, so you tell me?


[IMO] The answers are:

1) mix your existing 4 track tape and add your 5th part live, to mixdown.

2) get a larger 4 buss mixer, and mix all your live parts to 4 busses, and use the mixer's 4-buss outs to record 4-direct on the 424mkIII.

3) Get an 8 track setup, such as the Tascam 388, or the 38 & M-30, and that should hopefully accomodate all your parts.

And I'm sticking to that.

Note: Answer #1 is the only one that does not involve buying more equipment.
 
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