Tascam DP 003 Portastudio Newbie - HELP!

[pajikins]

I got this new Tascam for Christmas. Having never mixed anything before, I find myself scouring the earth for answers. I have all the tracks recorded the way I want them. I have set the reverb and pan the way I want each track. I am not even dealing with setting the EQ on each individual track because I am clueless to how to even begin to where to set the gain and frequency numbers. I figured I will just let the Master Equilizer and compression handle that part. Overall, it sounds very good.

Question: We cut the song tracks with a run on ending because after all was recorded I wanted to just fade out the song. My problem is now that I have it to this point, I don't know how to systematically fade it out at once, as an overall song. Please give suggestions! I was thinking to go ahead and compress it and then hope to play with the Master volume level once it has been Master mixed. Does that make since to anyone?

Also, any advice on the individual track EQ settings are appreciated.. or is it that I just have to start stabbing in the dark playing with random numbers?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[CrowsofFritz]

I got this new Tascam for Christmas. Having never mixed anything before, I find myself scouring the earth for answers. I have all the tracks recorded the way I want them. I have set the reverb and pan the way I want each track. I am not even dealing with setting the EQ on each individual track because I am clueless to how to even begin to where to set the gain and frequency numbers. I figured I will just let the Master Equilizer and compression handle that part. Overall, it sounds very good.

Question: We cut the song tracks with a run on ending because after all was recorded I wanted to just fade out the song. My problem is now that I have it to this point, I don't know how to systematically fade it out at once, as an overall song. Please give suggestions! I was thinking to go ahead and compress it and then hope to play with the Master volume level once it has been Master mixed. Does that make since to anyone?

Also, any advice on the individual track EQ settings are appreciated.. or is it that I just have to start stabbing in the dark playing with random numbers?

Thanks in advance for any help.

In regards to the EQ, it's not random numbers. Sure, you're playing around with it. But you're playing around with it until you think it sounds good. And usually, I have an idea of how I'm going to EQ a track before I actually EQ it. It's like playing a guitar solo. Guitarists don't pick at random frets hoping it's going to be in the same key and sound good. They have an idea of what they're playing.

 

[pajikins]

Dear Mr. CrowsofFritz, I wanted to give you an update on my growth today... and how you contributed. When I first read your response to my original plight and questions... I will admit... I was miffed. Why? Because you gave me no set answer. You didnt tell me what buttons to push.. what faders to use.. you didnt give me a method of approach... which is what I was looking for. I also felt after your response.... will like a stupid school girl, who was more than a joke... and should go away with her little questions that were obviously ignorance, at best. That was my INITIAL thought and feeling. I got past that. I listened to what you were actually SAYING to me. Music... is more than a science. As a studied muscian, I should have known this. To me, this recording business.. wasn't musical.. but computers. That was how I was approaching it. YOU .. taught me today.. a HUGE lesson... this "recorder" IS a musical instrument. You have to approach it the same way. Trust yourself... listen... adjust... practice... learn your instrument. It seriously opened my eyes today.. and YES, I equalized my song... it might not be pro quality.. but.. it seriously isnt half bad... and I have to give it to my father in-law who is a restired preofessional basses and instructor.

I just didn't want to leave this.. without sincerely thanking you. I learned today... and without you just telling me to get in there .. listen and DO IT... I would still be scouring the internet looking for the right buttons to push!

My sincere thanks!

 

[CrowsofFritz]

Dear Mr. CrowsofFritz, I wanted to give you an update on my growth today... and how you contributed. When I first read your response to my original plight and questions... I will admit... I was miffed. Why? Because you gave me no set answer. You didnt tell me what buttons to push.. what faders to use.. you didnt give me a method of approach... which is what I was looking for. I also felt after your response.... will like a stupid school girl, who was more than a joke... and should go away with her little questions that were obviously ignorance, at best. That was my INITIAL thought and feeling. I got past that. I listened to what you were actually SAYING to me. Music... is more than a science. As a studied muscian, I should have known this. To me, this recording business.. wasn't musical.. but computers. That was how I was approaching it. YOU .. taught me today.. a HUGE lesson... this "recorder" IS a musical instrument. You have to approach it the same way. Trust yourself... listen... adjust... practice... learn your instrument. It seriously opened my eyes today.. and YES, I equalized my song... it might not be pro quality.. but.. it seriously isnt half bad... and I have to give it to my father in-law who is a restired preofessional basses and instructor.

I just didn't want to leave this.. without sincerely thanking you. I learned today... and without you just telling me to get in there .. listen and DO IT... I would still be scouring the internet looking for the right buttons to push!

My sincere thanks!

That is probably the largest thanks I have ever received on this site. That seems like the largest I have seen ANYONE receive on this site. Thank you, man! A simple "thanks" can drive me to answer more questions. A thanks like this.... well....... thank you!