Recording in my man-cave/studio: The process start to finish

[singlemalt]

Okay, I was going to start building an Ark, since we're getting feet of rain, but now I'm going to get serious about finishing the mancave/studio.

Sweet set up. I love your big nuts. Seriously, the all thread structural stuff looks great and going with the large diameter and the big washers and nuts looks really cool. Brings a nice industrial vibe to the desk and shelves.

I've started the finish carpentry stage, with a focus on reusing and modifying old commercial retail fixtures, recycled maple hardwood flooring, and whatever else I've pack ratted away.

Great job, looks like a great space!

[EricF]

Finally an update...

DRUMS!!
Kick: Shure Beta52A -> UA LA610 -> Interface (Set about halfway through the hole on the front head, pointed at the beater impact point.)
Snare: Shure SM57 -> FMR RNP -> Interface (Pointed about 2" from edge of snare. Snare head damped with E-Ring and one Moongel.)
OH pair 1: CAD M179 (LDC w/ adjustable pattern) -> Ramsa mixer pres -> Interface (Set about 2' above the drummer, over the high hat and floor tom. Mics set to wide cardioid.)
OH Pair 2: Cascade X-15 (stereo ribbon mic) -> Ramsa mixer pres -> Interface (Set about 2-1/2' above drummer, centered over the snare.)






We spent a while dialing in the position of the kick and snare mics to get the soundI wanted from those individual mics. The M179's did a good job capturing the sound of the whole kit, and would be totally usable on their own if that's all I had to work with. The X-15 was a bit thin and roomy sounding to be the primary sound of the kit, but will be used in the mix to give the kit some added dimension.

We will need to re-track the guitars. I'm not happy with a few issues, and rather than try to molest them into usable condition digitally, I want to get it right at the source. One of my issues is that the Line 6 head recorded via DI (rhythm guitars) just doesn't sound all that good - it's missing the sound of pushing real air. We're going to re-track the rhythm guitars with a miked speaker cabinet. Theoretically, I could re-amp it and probably get a reasonable result, but there are a couple of timing issues that need to get sorted out, too, so I feel a lot better about just re-tracking it and getting it right.

The vox are going to need re-tracking, too. We didn't push the singer hard enough to convey the energy and emotion of the song, and it comes across as kind of weak.

[Emibass]

I love the sound of ribbons on overheads. Good looking!

[Staredge]

I love threads like this.

[EricF]

After doing some early mixing of the drums, I'm using more of the X-15 OH mic than I initially expected. The M179s are a little too aggressive with my drummer's crash cymbals and my mic placement. The smoothness of the ribbon mic is giving me a sound I like more for top of the kit. As of right now, I'm using a little of the M179s for just a bit of edginess that the ribbon is shy on.

[Emibass]

Don´t forget to have phase correlation in mind when mixing drums.

[giacomini]

Originally Posted by Staredge

I love threads like this.

+1!

Looks like the OP is doing a great job!

[EricF]

Originally Posted by Emibass

Don´t forget to have phase correlation in mind when mixing drums.

Yep. Phase issues are always a concern.

Originally Posted by giacomini

+1!

Looks like the OP is doing a great job!

We'll see in the final product. It might turn out to be crap!

Thank for the encouragement, though.

[Toolmybass]

Pics are great!...great gear too. I also see that you are in Cali and wondering what you use for temp/humidity control in your space?

[Emibass]

Originally Posted by EricF

Yep. Phase issues are always a concern.



We'll see in the final product. It might turn out to be crap!

Thank for the encouragement, though.

Hey, don´t give up that easy. Take a few days break to clear up your mind.

If you have frinends that understand about recording and mixing allow them to give you a hand. A workin team is key in this world.

[EricF]

Originally Posted by Toolmybass

Pics are great!...great gear too. I also see that you are in Cali and wondering what you use for temp/humidity control in your space?

When it's hot, I turn on a fan. When it's cold, I turn on a small electric heater. That's about it.

Originally Posted by Emibass

Hey, don´t give up that easy. Take a few days break to clear up your mind.

If you have frinends that understand about recording and mixing allow them to give you a hand. A workin team is key in this world.

I was being (mostly) sarcastic. I'm not giving up at all, and this isn't my first rodeo. I've been recording and mixing for 5+ years, and I'm confident enough in my skills to produce a reasonable mix. That said, I'm learning new stuff all the time.

One of my guitar players (who also wrote the songs we're recording) has a great ear for some of the performance nuances that often escape me. His artistic sensibilities fill in the gaps in my technical/engineering mindset. We work well together.

[Emibass]

Originally Posted by EricF

I was being (mostly) sarcastic. I'm not giving up at all, and this isn't my first rodeo. I've been recording and mixing for 5+ years, and I'm confident enough in my skills to produce a reasonable mix. That said, I'm learning new stuff all the time.

One of my guitar players (who also wrote the songs we're recording) has a great ear for some of the performance nuances that often escape me. His artistic sensibilities fill in the gaps in my technical/engineering mindset. We work well together.

Aaaaa...ok than. Keep it going!

[EricF]

Originally Posted by Emibass

Aaaaa...ok than. Keep it going!

The ball is still rolling.

I'm hoping to get the two guitar players back this weekend to re-record their guitar tracks. Follwing that will be final vox.

If things go well, I might be able to get this wrapped up in the next few weeks and post a mix.

[EricF]

I got new rhythm guitar tracks recorded for one of my guitar players on Saturday afternoon...

Fender '72RI Telecaster Thinline -> Line 6 Spider Valve HD100 -> Orange 1x12 cab -> Shure SM57 mic (1" off the grill, pointed about 1/2 way between center and edge of speaker cone) -> Ramsa pre -> Echo Audiofire 12 interface


We got two good takes that will give us some nice dimension in the sound.

We also recorded background vox with my guitar player and myself...

Shure SM7b -> UA LA610 pre -> Interface


Next up:
- Re-track 2nd rhythm guitar
- Re-track guitar solo
- Final lead vox

[Emibass]

Nice,

Did you try the ribbon mic on guitar cabs? Me likes ribbon on guitar cabs.

[EricF]

Originally Posted by Emibass

Nice,

Did you try the ribbon mic on guitar cabs? Me likes ribbon on guitar cabs.

I had things set up initially to record both the SM57 and a Fathead on the Orange cab simultaneously (as I have before), but I was getting some weird fizzley sounds with the FH. I tried a different FH, and different positions, but was getting the same fizzles. The tracks would have been unusable, so went with just the 57. I'll try to resolve the issue before we record the second rhythm guitar parts. I agree that a ribbon can be lovely on a guitar cab.

[Emibass]

Originally Posted by EricF

I had things set up initially to record both the SM57 and a Fathead on the Orange cab simultaneously (as I have before), but I was getting some weird fizzley sounds with the FH. I tried a different FH, and different positions, but was getting the same fizzles. The tracks would have been unusable, so went with just the 57. I'll try to resolve the issue before we record the second rhythm guitar parts. I agree that a ribbon can be lovely on a guitar cab.

I understand.

I have an Oktava ribbon that sound fantastic on cabs, I´ll be using it to record guitar cabs on an album for a band.

And on drums I´ll use it together with a AKG 414, coincident and setted on figure of 8 to record the ambience. It´s an experiment.They will be set at about 3 m away in front of the drums where the ribbon gets the sides and the C414 gets the front and rear.

[TOOL460002]

Those look like KRK monitors? How do you like them? How have they lasted? Any random info you want to share? I ask because I'm about to pull the trigger on a pair of KRK Rokit 8 Gen. 2 monitors on eBay (like- tonight).

I've heard good things but just want to hear what you like or dislike about them or if there's anything for me to expect or think about when I'm mixing. (It's not a HUGE setup, but it can what I want.)

Thanks!

Also- sweet setup and great thread. I'm definitely going to be keeping a watch on this!

[EricF]

Those are the KRK VXT4 monitors - which have recently been replaced by Dynaudio BM5As. I don't have any experience with the Rockit series, so there's not much I can tell you. I know they're popular, but it seems to be mostly about their price point.

[TOOL460002]

Ah- couldn't tell in the pic exactly which they were; just saw the yellow. Thanks anyway. And, yes, right now they are about their pricing as far as I'm concerned. Keep it up and keep posting!