Submixing/Assigning Tracks

[hummcat]

Hello:

I just picked up a nice 1" 8 track deck which I would like to do basic tracks on, then dump into a digital environment.

Assumming I am doing basic "rock" recording, what is the best way to assign my tracks?

Trk 1: Kick
Trk 2: Snare
Trk 3: L/R Tom (floor tom?)
Trk 4: Floor Tom
Trk 5: OH L (and Right?)
Trk 6: OH R
Trk 7: HH (necessary? or picked up by snare?)
Trk 8: Bass Guitar

Basically, does one typically submix the overheads? how about ALL toms? Is a separate HH mic necessary?

I know there are no rules here, but I want to understand any general best practices on this. What should I NEVER submix? Thanks

 

[TexRoadkill]

There is no rule on what should be on what channel. I would recomend keeping it simple to begin with. Use two OH's and a kick and snare mic. If you can't get a decent sound with just that then using a bunch of tom mics will be a nightmare.

Why do you need to submix anything?

 

[Dom Franco]

Yeah..what he said!

I'd also suggest just using 4 mics;
1 kick
2 snare
3 left OH
4 Right OH

Put bass on track 5
Stereo Guitar on 6 & 7
Scratch Vocal on 8

The actual track numbers are arbitrary, but what every you do, be consistent from one song to the next, so your mixdown tracks will remain the same. Other wise you will have to re- EQ each track for a different instrument.

The guitar track will help the bass stay in tune and on time, and the scratch vocal will help everyone keep their place in the song.

Later on you can re-do any tracks that are not acceptable.

Dom

 

[hummcat]

Thanks, Dom/Tex. Good advice...I guess I shouldn't need a mic on each tom! One more question: how about positioning of the O/Hs?

I have a RODE NT4 (stereo xy config) that they suggest putting right over the drummer's head, facing down towards the toms. Otherwise, I could use a spaced pair of AT 4033's in front of the kit. I'll just experiment I suppose.

Thanks again

 

[Mark7]

If you're only doing basic (which I'll assume means no frills) Rock stuff why bother going to Digital until you get to mix down?

With a 1" Eight Track you should be able to get pretty decent results, even with one or two bounces.

Here's a variation on my normal working method

I'd start with Vox, Bass and Drums. Like this:

Track 1: Lead (guide) Vocal
Track 2: Snare Drum
Track 3: Kick Drum
Track 4: Overhead Right
Track 5: Overhead Left
Track 6: Bass Guitar
Track 7: Clear (or a scratch guitar track)
Track 8: Clear (or another scratch guitar track)

I'd then bounce the drums down to the two empty tracks like this:

Track 1: Lead (guide) Vocal
Track 2: Snare Drum
Track 3: Kick Drum
Track 4: Overhead Right
Track 5: Overhead Left
Track 6: Bass Guitar
Track 7: Drums
Track 8: Drums

Which leaves me four tracks for overdubs (five if you have the drums in mono). Five or six if I include the Bass in the bounce (though I prefer not to).

alternatively, why not try submixing the drums straight to two tracks then you can avoid even that bounce