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wondercrush
New member
I was just wondering if anyone used any kind of log sheet to record (on paper) settings for say a mixer, etc.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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enemyofthesun
New member
this is a good question.. Actually I wanted to know how you folks take notes? I always end up with a piece of paper with alot of scribbling. I know eventually I am going to get my self in trouble with these marginally undecipherable notes.
As far as mixer settings.. Im using a hi-res digital camera to take photographs. I also take photos of some rack unit settings.
As far as mixer settings.. Im using a hi-res digital camera to take photographs. I also take photos of some rack unit settings.
Blue Bear Sound
New member
Train yourself to use your EARS instead of trying to remember settings...
...after a while, with experience you start learning to trust what you're hearing and you end up being fairly consistent with mix settings... (ie, if you set up a mix, then go away, zero the board, then come back the next day -- you'll probably find yourself getting pretty much to the same settings as you had before simply by listening to the tracks again....)
But you absolutely should be using a track sheet!!!
Bruce
...after a while, with experience you start learning to trust what you're hearing and you end up being fairly consistent with mix settings... (ie, if you set up a mix, then go away, zero the board, then come back the next day -- you'll probably find yourself getting pretty much to the same settings as you had before simply by listening to the tracks again....)
But you absolutely should be using a track sheet!!!
Bruce
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Sound Cracker
New member
Fun for the whole family!
Most manuals for mixers have a drawing of the mixer.
Scan that into your computer and print up hundreds of them if you need to.
My mixer only had a picture of one channel strip, so I did some cut and paste to create a mixer sheet. I really don't use them very much though.
I good well designed track sheet though is a must! Alesis has a application called Track Manager available as a free downdload on their website. Check it out, I found it to be a nice little application.
Good day!
Most manuals for mixers have a drawing of the mixer.
Scan that into your computer and print up hundreds of them if you need to.
My mixer only had a picture of one channel strip, so I did some cut and paste to create a mixer sheet. I really don't use them very much though.
I good well designed track sheet though is a must! Alesis has a application called Track Manager available as a free downdload on their website. Check it out, I found it to be a nice little application.
Good day!
CMiller
New member
Good question, interesting topic.
I use a couple different methods of keeping records. If I'm using my 16 track, I use basic looking track sheets that I made in Word. It's nothing special other than 16 slots where I can write pertinent info. I usually save all the big, more detailed info in a studio log book that I keep. This is great. Not only do I keep recording info there, but I put whatever thoughts are floating around in my head at the time. Anything from how I feel to any weird idea I might have for the final song. This is great because at any time I can go back and reaccquaint myself with the song and it's recording parameters. Of course when I use Cubase, I don't bother to keep track sheets because I lable everything. I also use the "notes" function to write other info such as "The acoustic guitar is tuned D A D G B D on this song" or whatever pops into my head as important to the song.
I use a couple different methods of keeping records. If I'm using my 16 track, I use basic looking track sheets that I made in Word. It's nothing special other than 16 slots where I can write pertinent info. I usually save all the big, more detailed info in a studio log book that I keep. This is great. Not only do I keep recording info there, but I put whatever thoughts are floating around in my head at the time. Anything from how I feel to any weird idea I might have for the final song. This is great because at any time I can go back and reaccquaint myself with the song and it's recording parameters. Of course when I use Cubase, I don't bother to keep track sheets because I lable everything. I also use the "notes" function to write other info such as "The acoustic guitar is tuned D A D G B D on this song" or whatever pops into my head as important to the song.
J
JC Lives
New member
The February issue of Recording mag started a multi-part article on documentation. I found it to be very interesting. The March issue has the second part. You may want to check these articles out. Of course everyones setup is a little different but the concepts are all the same. I intend on setting up some templates that I can print out and use.
This is one thing that I have not done in the past and is now coming back to haunt me since I am learning new things and would like to try and improve some of my earlier material. The problem is that I have no idea of the settings I used to get some of the sounds. What a bummer. Now I have to start from scratch.
Peace
Joe
This is one thing that I have not done in the past and is now coming back to haunt me since I am learning new things and would like to try and improve some of my earlier material. The problem is that I have no idea of the settings I used to get some of the sounds. What a bummer. Now I have to start from scratch.
Peace
Joe
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wondercrush
New member
Re: Train yourself to use your EARS instead of trying to remember settings...
I totally agree with you, but at this point we (the band I'm in) record inconsitently and the track sheet will benefit us better. I can't wait until I can do it by ear though!
Blue Bear Sound said:
I totally agree with you, but at this point we (the band I'm in) record inconsitently and the track sheet will benefit us better. I can't wait until I can do it by ear though!
Blue Bear Sound
New member
Just to clarify.... I was talking about a mixer/gear settings sheet. Track sheets are an absolute MUST..........
Bruce
Bruce
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wondercrush
New member
What's the difference?
What's the difference between track sheets and mixer/gear setting sheets?
What's the difference between track sheets and mixer/gear setting sheets?
Blue Bear Sound
New member
Track sheets indicate what's on what track, who did what when, basically the map of what's on tape (or computer!) for a given song.
Gear setting sheets usually have the knob layout, and you can mark settings for where you had the knobs up to... can be for mixers, effect units, etc....
Bruce
Gear setting sheets usually have the knob layout, and you can mark settings for where you had the knobs up to... can be for mixers, effect units, etc....
Bruce
regebro
Insane Genious!
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mikeh
New member
What Bruce said re: "trust what you're hearing" reminds me of a quote I heard in about 1974 from a wise old engineer (he was probably about 30, but it seemed old in '74).
"Mix with your ears, not with your eyes"
"Mix with your ears, not with your eyes"
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enemyofthesun
New member
enemyofthesun said:
I was referring to track sheets. I dont have the patience to write down eq settings.. Thats why I photgraph the board in case I ever need those settings.
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mikeh
New member
Actually, my note taking sucks!. When things are moving and the vibe is grooving I hate taking time to stop and make notes. I too will be burned someday.
I do however, keep a track sheet (standard multi box configuration) with several lines for additional comments. At the end of a session, after everyone has gone, I do a couple of playbacks and make notes regarding what is where and why.
Since I started using Cakewalk (vs Adat) the tracking screen allows some quick typed notes re: Vocal 1, Guitar solo, etc.)
I do however, keep a track sheet (standard multi box configuration) with several lines for additional comments. At the end of a session, after everyone has gone, I do a couple of playbacks and make notes regarding what is where and why.
Since I started using Cakewalk (vs Adat) the tracking screen allows some quick typed notes re: Vocal 1, Guitar solo, etc.)
Kelly Holdridge
New member
Hey, Bruce, yeah, you've got a point. But a camera comes in REAL HANDY at live shows, different venues and the like. Especially once you've got it right (ringing out the monitors is a pain anyway, why do it more than once?)
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jamiecer
New member
Documentation
All of the studios by me (Los Angeles) have what are called recall sheets. They basically have a drawing of the piece of equipment if it has settings (Knobs or Switches) on the front and places where you can write down any and all parameters. This enables you to document what the input and output of the effect are, all levels, delay times and eq's and so on.
With this, console automation, recall inside the console, and lot's of time, you can get back your mix exactly.
To save time recalling mixes you can also print various passes of your mixes. Make a vocal up (+1.0db) and a vocal down(-1.0db) pass. With these passes if a section of vocal is too loud you can just edit in the vocal down instead of having to remix the entire song. Do the same thing with harmonies, solos and anything else you may be unsure of levelwise. It may take more time up front but it will save you countless hours of tweaking knobs later.
I always do several passes up and down along with instrumentals and accapella. You just never know when you are going to have to do a radio edit.
All of the studios by me (Los Angeles) have what are called recall sheets. They basically have a drawing of the piece of equipment if it has settings (Knobs or Switches) on the front and places where you can write down any and all parameters. This enables you to document what the input and output of the effect are, all levels, delay times and eq's and so on.
With this, console automation, recall inside the console, and lot's of time, you can get back your mix exactly.
To save time recalling mixes you can also print various passes of your mixes. Make a vocal up (+1.0db) and a vocal down(-1.0db) pass. With these passes if a section of vocal is too loud you can just edit in the vocal down instead of having to remix the entire song. Do the same thing with harmonies, solos and anything else you may be unsure of levelwise. It may take more time up front but it will save you countless hours of tweaking knobs later.
I always do several passes up and down along with instrumentals and accapella. You just never know when you are going to have to do a radio edit.