Recording tomo

stefandisgust · #1 11-29-2009, 01:09 PM

Hey guys,
Just wanted to get some general tips and/or wisdom from yo folks for my first time in the studio since last year!

A little background...
We are a pretty hard rock band with some very wierd moments in the music. ( We love messing with time signitures aswell as effects and all the fun stuff!) Lets just say we fit in with the "Death Metal" circuit well. We play in B.

We are VERY prepared, we took extra time rehearsing these past months just to make sure.

A few things on my mind as I go in to record bass to the finished drum tracks are...

1. I will be recording my standard tuned 5 string Warwick Corvette FNA for the first time ever. Now that I think about it it will be my first time tracking with my Mesa Boogie 400+ too.

2. I intend to mic my amp and also use my Sansamp as usual. Any thoughts?

3. I will be, for the first time (AGAIN haha) using 3-4 effects. These are quick distortion, light chorus, and my EHX Tremelo. Ive never done this. Will I be tracking the bass first and then throw in the fx afterwards for consitancy? Or will the fx be in the Sansamp DI only? The Tremelo is a time-delay effect, correct?

4. I also play 90% finger pluck and 10% pick. Will a limiter be recommended for consistancy again?

stefandisgust · #2 11-29-2009, 06:31 PM

sonic assassin · #3 11-29-2009, 06:50 PM

leave all time based effects to whoever is mixing. unless its some super special analog effect, then track it separately. (chorus, delay, trem)

are you comfortable with the new gear? or are you using it because its new? i did this when i got my 6 string and the sound suffered. i was so excited to use it that i forgot it didnt fit the bill all that well.

you'll want some sort of always clean (or at least baseline) tone. if theres some crazy distortion freakout, make sure theres something to fall back on if it doesnt fit in later. ive never used one, but is there a DI on the 400+?

use the parallel out of the sansamp as well as the effected out. can NEVER have too many splits. i normally have bass recorded in 3 or 4 stems. the DI always gets muted, then theres bi-amping and different mics.

in your case, id want a clean sound just in case, the sansamp tone, and the amp. punch in the parts with the distortion if you can. dont try to turn on pedals mid tracking. stop, set things up, then track with the effect.

limiter.. well thats up to the engineer. if he wants to limit the track on the way in, thats his business. personally, i wouldnt. unless its going to tape or something, i never see the point of compressing during tracking unless said compressor has a VERY distinct sound.

most of all. relax. know your stuff. dont get red-light syndrome. have fun. and for the love of god, dont piss off the engineer.

and dont be afraid to ask them to adjust the drum mix in your headphones. its easy, and if its going to help your playing, then its completely worth it. dont be timid. if you need super scooped articulate kicks to keep time, ask them for it. they can always take it off later.

stefandisgust · #4 11-29-2009, 08:05 PM

Thanks for the pieces of info!

Actually no, I've had the bass for a very long time but never used it due to tuning changes. Now I use it for the band with no problem but have never heard it tracked profesionally on tape.

The 400+ has a DI out but is post-EQ only? Ive heard that in that case its kinda worthless with the cab mic'ed?

Hmm, Im definantly confortable with getting what I need to feel at ease recording. So thats a good habit in the bag!

I wonder if I can get a headphone mix of my live bass compressed or limited or whatever in my ears? It feels as if it would be easier for me to hear it very "even" in my ears since I play finger style and know that its not as "even" as picking. I really want my live sound in the end. I want it live on tape but compressed in my ears as a play. If that makes sense?

sonic assassin · #5 11-30-2009, 12:15 AM

they can compress your track in your headphones no problem.

and id even take the 400+ DI, no matter where it is in the chain. if you've got the inputs, track everything you can.

JimmyM · #6 11-30-2009, 12:38 AM

Don't use a comp when tracking. You want to hear as much nuance as possible so you're better served by trying to be consistent without it, then adding a LITTLE compression as needed in mixdown.

Time based effects, with all due respect to SA, sometimes it's necessary to track with them. I once recorded a song with delay on it, and though the engineer had a ton of delays that cost way more than my Boss ME-3 multi, he told me to go ahead and use mine because it was already set up for the song's tempo. Sounded great. Also, another time we were trying to get the engineer to catch the end of a guitar solo with delay, and he kept missing it. Took him a half hour, whereas if he'd have just let the guitarist hit his own delay while tracking, it would have been done for him. Plus you can never count on the engineer to add the effects post recording.

And don't use your 400+'s DI if you're micing. They probably have a way better DI than your amp's. But if they don't, there's no harm in using it. The engineer can EQ it any way he wants. Just don't go nuts with EQ.

Anyway, listen to your engineer, take his advice, but if you feel he's steering your sound wrong, don't be afraid to speak up. Especially if you're paying.

stefandisgust · #7 11-30-2009, 10:07 PM

Hey guys.
Just a little follow up!

Let me begin by saying that the bass sounded sick and blended well with the drum kit as it always has live.

We had 3 microphones on my fridge. One on one of the 10 inch cones, one on the 15 inch cone, and one on the tweeter. I also parralled my sansamp running HOT. Blended it sounded absolutly wonderful. It was incredable how it sounded at a high volume. haha

Will show everyone soon!

We ended up using the sansamp with some digital fuzz he had. It sounded sweet.

I really learned lots today for some reason. For one, I recorded with the first batch of TRUE pro gear Ive ever had and really knocked my parts out (2 Hours). THANKS!