Recording in the Digital Age
By Al Loya
In home and project studios alike space is a limitation not to mention isolation problems. In this article I will explain how to solve this common issue.
Equipment needed are as follows:
- digital multi track recorder
- 6 - 8 microphones
- two or three direct boxes
- a reamp box or a preamp.
Prepare to record in the following manner:
First of all you will only mic the drum set. Using any drum micing techniques you desire. Record guitars and bass direct. You will be using a direct box, or a preamp such as the Line 6 pod. Although a direct box would be best. The reasoning behind that comment is that you will have to live with the choice of effects, or the amp modeler you choose etc… Record the vocal track as a scratch. This vocal is just for the musicians to get cues on where they are in the song.
Some helpful hints: Have guitarist play only the rhythm parts, leads can be recorded later. If one of the musicians is singing and playing get them as far from the drum set as possible, this is to avoid the voice bleeding into the drum tracks.
Get the musicians a head phone mix, tweak any microphones on the drums until they sound the way you want. Start the recording process. Record each track several times listen back to them, while taking notes. Choose the best takes.
Now your ready to do some over dubs. This is where you record lead guitar parts, and other elaborate musical fills. Once completed you can reamp the guitar if so desired. Reamping is done with a device called a reamp. This device allows you to play the recorded guitar track to be sent out of the mixing console on through to the reamp box into an amplifier then rerecorded using a microphone of your choice. This technique is used by many engineers to get the true sound of the amplifier’s speaker. The same process can be done with the bass track.
Once the guitars are recorded then you are ready for your vocal tracks. Your lead vocal should be done first then any backups or harmonies will follow. Now that you have completed the final stage you can mix till your heart’s content. The end result will be a clean sounding recording.
About the Author:
Al Loya - A musician with twenty years experience,also a recording engineer and studio owner. He writes informative articles to help guide your musical career in the right direction.
Al Loya may be contacted at http://www.inthejarstudios.com/ or email wiseal1@msn.com.