The chain

[Clam Soup]

As I work on trying to learn my system, I've spent quite a bit of time here reading and picking up on the vernacular of recording.

Frequently I see references to "the chain" and I think I have a fair understanding of it generally now.... but, I'm hoping for some details on values.

In front of me there is a mixer with it's own chain of controls.

Mic input - gain - EQ - FX - pan - and volume in one channel

On the other side of the board there is my main out volume.

Are there general ideas on the levels each of these should be set at?

I'll start with that.... I have way more to ask, but I don't want to get too convoluted or confused in the process.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Are we talking about a hardware mixer or a virtual mixer? What make/model hardware, or what software are you referring to?

"Signal chain" refers to the various sound processing modules your signal passes through, and their order and settings. You need to maintain good gain structure from the beginning to the end of the chain. That means the output of one part should be at a level compatible with the input of the next part. It's the same in the analog digital realms except you use different units of measure. Any reputable maker of mixing hardware or software will probably have included a manual explaining the specifics of their product. I would start there.

 

[Clam Soup]

Are we talking about a hardware mixer or a virtual mixer? What make/model hardware, or what software are you referring to?

"Signal chain" refers to the various sound processing modules your signal passes through, and their order and settings. You need to maintain good gain structure from the beginning to the end of the chain. That means the output of one part should be at a level compatible with the input of the next part. It's the same in the analog digital realms except you use different units of measure. Any reputable maker of mixing hardware or software will probably have included a manual explaining the specifics of their product. I would start there.

I was starting with the hardware first. It is an Alesis and the "manual" that came with it contains very little information compared to what I've seen on this site over the last few days.

I was going to get around to the software later -

I am hoping for just a general sense of where the values should be set on the board that might speed up my learning curve.

So far I've got two songs recorded rough that sound pretty decent raw without any EQ or effects added.... but I'm getting ahead of myself and don't want to lose something important in the process.

Gain? Volume? Main? .... I'd like to strike that balance going out of the hardware. Thought there might be some generalities.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Well, the input gain control on each channel is there to accommodate different signal levels and get them up to a level that works with the rest of the board. Where you set it will vary depending on the level of any particular input. The master volume control should just stay on the unity or 0 setting unless you're doing some manual fades on the mix. Set channel volumes based on how you think the mix should sound. What Alesis board do you have?

 

[Clam Soup]

Multimix 8 FX

I'm recording off of two channels - mic input, and guitar input, but both go into a single mono track in the Cubase. So, I'm experimenting with different formulas -

1. playing the guitar into the mic as well as through the board and then adding vocals on the next take.
2. Singing and playing at the same time

Most of the stuff sounds better if I play or sing a second track over the first ones.

Right now it is all working "just fine" but I wonder if I couldn't be doing something smarter that would make it even better?

 

[clivus]

Multimix 8 FX

I'm recording off of two channels - mic input, and guitar input, but both go into a single mono track in the Cubase. So, I'm experimenting with different formulas -

1. playing the guitar into the mic as well as through the board and then adding vocals on the next take.
2. Singing and playing at the same time

Most of the stuff sounds better if I play or sing a second track over the first ones.

Right now it is all working "just fine" but I wonder if I couldn't be doing something smarter that would make it even better?

There is no 'one right way' to record, so experimenting till you get the sound you want is a good approach. One method you can use to optimize your recordings is to play and sing a 'scratch track' first as a reference, then overdub a second 'keeper' track of just guitar, then a 'keeper' track of vocal. Using a metronome or click track will help hold your timing together.

As far as speeding up the learning curve--keep reading. I read reference books on recording technique and subscribed to 'Recording' magazine, both of which helped a great deal.

 

[Clam Soup]

There is no 'one right way' to record, so experimenting till you get the sound you want is a good approach. One method you can use to optimize your recordings is to play and sing a 'scratch track' first as a reference, then overdub a second 'keeper' track of just guitar, then a 'keeper' track of vocal. Using a metronome or click track will help hold your timing together.

As far as speeding up the learning curve--keep reading. I read reference books on recording technique and subscribed to 'Recording' magazine, both of which helped a great deal.

Clivus - I was just thinking about "scratch tracks" as another possible system.

To be clear here, I'm not really looking for shortcuts. I just tend to absorb more technical knowledge from talking things out than I do from reading. I think that has to do with the fact that I am simply not an academic personality. I love to read, but reading about the mechanics of things will make my eyes spin. So, Q&A is a much more functional approach on those topics.

I know it sounds really stupid, but I didn't really want to learn anything at all. I have a lot of music, and I'd like to leave something behind before I'm done with this life. It might be a bit cliche' but it is true. I can't afford going to a real studio, and even if I could, there is no such thing around Juneau. So, here I am - asking what might be obvious or ridiculous questions in an attempt to lift this one burden off of my shoulders.

 

[snatchman]

To add to the good info Clivus gave, maybe consider putting your guitar and vocal on separate tracks in Cubase ( if possible)..Record the guitar plugged into the mixer ( with a DI) onto a track as you sing, it won't bleed into your vocal mic track. Now when you play it back, you have control over both tracks. Now if your vocal or guitar track was a " keeper" you can keep it without having bleed on the track..Also, you can now record your guitar with a mic and don't hav to worry about your vocal bleeding onto the track..Good luck..