relaxing

[robjh22]

I bring nothing but problems here usually. Today I reminded myself of one good thing, and then I discovered another good thing:

My vf80 works perfectly. My mixing skills are slowly improving (I always thought panning, for example, was for making it sound like an airplane was flyin cross the room -- finally figured out it also helps distribute the sound and the instruments and makes the tracks sound more like a real band. And the machine does everything and more than I can imagine. Perfectly. Every time.

Second, I've decided to quit worrying about the air conditioner and the outside fountain and the quality of my mikes and distance from the soundhole, etc. A lot of things start sounding better when you relax, because not only do those things stop bothering you, the fact that nothing is bothering you makes you play and sing better too.

Yeah, I know. "Deep thoughts." But these obvious things are very hard for a neurotic maniac like me to grab hold of. When I do, I'm happier and my music is better.

 

[selkindrummer]

I agree. Getting out there to just record without all the worrying helps a lot. My band records on an MR-8 in my garage and we usually worry about the heat and other things that we can't control. Once you realize that you can't do a thing about them, you play better, record better.

And since you said something about panning to make it sound like a real band, could you fully explain? Like, explain what instruments you recommend panning and which speakers to pan them to. Anything to help make our music sound better would help.

Thanks.

 

[robjh22]

panning

Hi, Selkin. I just do acoustic music, but I picked up a mastering book at guitar center and was just leafing thru, and I noticed that there are classic mixes for rock, country, jazz and so on. They use pan to put the lead vocals in the middle, background guys off to the side, rhythm guitar soft and to one side, mandolin louder on breaks and on the other, and so on. They also use it in conjunction with the level controls to make some guys sound like they're coming from the rear on the left, another guy a little closer and just to the singer's right, and so on.

Not only does it tend to separate the band members like they would be on a stage, but it also keeps the tracks from stepping on each other. Suppose there's a guitar riff that takes place just as the vocalist is finsihng--but before completely finishing -- a vocal phrase. If you put both in dead center they will kind of muffle each other on playback; maybe "choke" or "smother " is a bettter word. I can actually hear the guitar drop in volume on playback if I don't pan it off to one side as the other instruments continue playing during the riff.

Don't listen to me, as I'm a hacker. Look at one of those books on homerecording, or maybe just do a search on panning here. And of coure, experiment! Let us know how it works. Good luck with the band. Aren't bands a huge pain in the ass? Will you play live anywhere? Where?