andyriggle
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"Don't Catch a Cold"- First Live Tracks
Hey Guys, I usually do orchestral soft-synth stuff, but I wanted to start live recording in my apartment studio. So got a couple mics and stands, a decent interface, and broke in new X1 upgrade. It was an experience working with live audio using busses and all the in and out stuff I usually ignored. If you guys could point out any glaring recording issues, that'd be sweet. Want to get better at this. I know the lead vocal's voice is hot, but I couldn't seem to do much with it, even with verb and EQ.. "Don't Catch a Cold" http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11591950 Thanks, Andy
Yamaha motif ES8, Sonar 8PE, Finale 2010, Sweetwater Creation Station (3.4 GHz, quad core,8GB Ram, Windows 7), Tascam US-1800 audio interface, ART Headamp 6 Pro, Rokit 8 monitors
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foxwolfen
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Re:"Don't Catch a Cold"- First Live Tracks
2012/04/22 23:14:59
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The vox are hot. Probably had the levels to high while recording. Gotta keep an eye on that clipping indicator is you have one. I like the level though. I try not to crit a composition too much, but in this case, I would suggest a rethink on the harmony. It is not working. If other elements were less chromatic, I would say the dissonant harmony could work, but not in this case.
A scientist knows more & more about less & less till he knows everything about nothing, while a philosopher knows less & less about more & more till he knows nothing about everything. Composers Forum
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Lynn
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Re:"Don't Catch a Cold"- First Live Tracks
2012/04/23 11:38:55
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As simple as this arrangement is, it shouldn't be that hard to get a good mix. Unless you put all the vocals on the same track, why can't you simply adjust the volume and EQ levels? Actually, the lead vocal's not all that hot, and if you think it is, why not turn up the instruments? The tonality of the mix sounds good overall. The thing that caught my ear was the mournfulness of the vocals. It almost sounded like a funeral dirge, but perhaps that was your intent. This isn't that far off, so stick with it and you'll soon be making great recordings.
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andyriggle
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Re:"Don't Catch a Cold"- First Live Tracks
2012/04/23 13:37:01
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I know the harmony could use some work, but man, it's hard when you're working with clients who won't listen. I guess you just have to record 'em and edit the best you can. Or maybe I should be more forceful. Any suggestions there?
Yamaha motif ES8, Sonar 8PE, Finale 2010, Sweetwater Creation Station (3.4 GHz, quad core,8GB Ram, Windows 7), Tascam US-1800 audio interface, ART Headamp 6 Pro, Rokit 8 monitors
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Guitarhacker
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Re:"Don't Catch a Cold"- First Live Tracks
2012/04/23 20:59:12
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Cool stuff.... a classic chord progression used by many folk and BG bands.
If this was your first time with live mics and acoustic instruments..... I think you did good.
There are a number of nits.... small ones. Timing and sync with the instruments, but I think that is from the live payers themselves not keeping a steady time. One the vocals, the lead singer has a unique sleepy/lazy sound which is cool. but he also has some weakness in a few places. Harmonies need to be correct. there were a few places where they were not happening. Melodyne is always a good tool to have for vocals. I use it regardless of how well the singer does. Sometimes just a touch is all that is needed.
When working with musicians, you need to be in control of the tracking as far as possible.
Did you record them all at once or mutlitrack it? Hopefully each instrument is on it's own track and same with the vocals. With that setup, you can always go back in a rework the tracks as needed.
All in all it sounds pretty good for a first time venture into the world of audio.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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foxwolfen
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Re:"Don't Catch a Cold"- First Live Tracks
2012/04/23 23:17:46
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If you have a piano at hand, get your singers to practice the harmony using chords on the piano... they may hear on it what they are failing to hear when they are singing. Good luck. As the engineer, you have do deal with both the technical aspects and the personal aspects of the artists, which I think is the harder job. No engineer can make an off key performance better without using pitch correction which you want to avoid at all costs, if possible when the errors are this extreme. Pitch correction is not a replacement for proper technique IMO.
A scientist knows more & more about less & less till he knows everything about nothing, while a philosopher knows less & less about more & more till he knows nothing about everything. Composers Forum
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drumstixkev
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Re:"Don't Catch a Cold"- First Live Tracks
2012/04/24 19:05:19
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Hey Andy
A Earthy, Folk vibe! I just had a flashback of Soul Asylum. I loved this piece. The simplicity of the arrangement and imperfections are just GREAT. I would love to be able to make a recording that had this much life/vibe. I wouldn't change a thing . . . KUDOS!
Kev
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andyriggle
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Re:"Don't Catch a Cold"- First Live Tracks
2012/04/24 21:14:29
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Thanks guys, am getting Melodyne as a back up and'll reference this thread to the band to stress the importance of tight and correct harmony. Maybe next time I'll have an easier time of it.
And this was done with 2 performers and took about 8 tracks, and a ton of takes. I recorded the bass and rhythm guitar together, each with their own mic and sitting about 6 feet apart. I left the second mic on across the room for individual tracks for ambiance. Seemed to give it depth. Do you guys use more than one mic per track, or have positions you like to set em at?
Yamaha motif ES8, Sonar 8PE, Finale 2010, Sweetwater Creation Station (3.4 GHz, quad core,8GB Ram, Windows 7), Tascam US-1800 audio interface, ART Headamp 6 Pro, Rokit 8 monitors
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