What's in the headphones for punch-ins?

[Nate74]

Hey all,
I've been looking through the archives for the answer to this, but can't seem to define the right search...

Basically, I have two options with my recording setup (see below) when it comes to what I send to the headphones in my studio from my control room when doing a punch in.

The first is the singer/performer can hear the existing track until I punch in the new performance, then his mic goes "live" in his headphones.

The second, the singer/performer can hear himself through his headphones prior to and durring the punch but can not hear any existing track.

So I'm wondering, which is common, which is preferable, which is better?

Also, given my setup is there another option.

Setup: Soundtrack 24-channel Topaz8 board into an Alesis HD24XR. I'm using the Studio Out to send the AUX1 mix to the headphones, but I can also route a MONITOR MIX or the MAIN MIX to the phones as well.

Thanks all!

 

[89gtsleeper]

I think typically the most basic and common method is the first one you described above. That's how I do it now, and that's how I've done it in other studios in the past and know several other people that do the same.

 

[Nate74]

I think typically the most basic and common method is the first one you described above. That's how I do it now, and that's how I've done it in other studios in the past and know several other people that do the same.

Awesome, thanks! It would be what I would prefer, but I'm working with a new group and they've already thrown me a few curve balls...

 

[Freudian Slip]

I personally prefer the second method you describe. As long as you know where your at it's not an issue & you don't get hung up on the previous track. You just perform all the way threw the punch never knowing the second it begins and ends.

What ever works though. I actually never use the punch function. I just set up a new track and stich it together in the best place later.


F.S.

 

[Mixxit12]

When I'm doing punches, the singer (or whatever) can hear the track and the mic all the way through (before, during, and after the punch). I bascially just tell them when they're going to start singing.

 

[Nate74]

When I'm doing punches, the singer (or whatever) can hear the track and the mic all the way through (before, during, and after the punch). I bascially just tell them when they're going to start singing.

I think this would be the best of both worlds. What sort of system are you using?

Thanks.

 

[cello_pudding]

i use the first method. but sing every phrase during playback. sounds more natural when you listen back. the breathing and phrasing just works better.

 

[xstatic]

When I do punches like this the live is always in the headphones, and the track is in the headphones until it actually starts recording. This is how the majority of people will like it. If they can hear the old track where they are trying to fix something the mistake is often misleading and kills confidence.

 

[Mixxit12]

I think this would be the best of both worlds. What sort of system are you using?

Thanks.

We're running Pro Tools TDM (2 Mix 24s, ADAT bridge, yada yada yada). I basically just feed Pro Tools to the head phone mix, plus the singer's mic. This takes up 3 channels on the board (2 for PT and 1 for the mic). The singer can hear her mic no matter if Pro Tools is playing, not playing, recording, punching, or whatever.

When it's time for the punch, I just hit the rec button in Pro Tools, the previous vocal track starts recording over the previous audio.

Let me know if I can offer more information.

 

[Nate74]

When I do punches like this the live is always in the headphones, and the track is in the headphones until it actually starts recording. This is how the majority of people will like it. If they can hear the old track where they are trying to fix something the mistake is often misleading and kills confidence.

Makes sense. I'm going to have to do some reading/experimenting to figure out how to do this with my board and recorder. I thought I had a pretty good handle on how to use the AUX1 for headphones, MON MIX for control room play back, and main faders for recording level... until I finished with the original tracking and then the "flip" switches confused matters...

But at least I know what I'm aiming for now