Anyone else have this issue?

[NineSpine]

Whenever I try to record on my computer, I very quickly become overwhelmed by all the plug-ins. I like using the computer as basically a tape, but as soon as I start using any kind of software effects, I become simultaneously bored and overwhelmed.

I dont know if there is some way to ease myself into using these things, but I just find myself significantly more comfortable on outboard gear, even if that gear itself is overcomplicated and difficult to use. It's not as though I'm older and more used to that kind of stuff. I'm actually more familiar with the computer.

So does anyone else have this problem, or has had this problem?

 

[bassbrad]

Just keep it simple and work you way up to complex recording situations. There is an organic connection to outboard "analog" gear that plug ins will never replace.

 

[seamonkey]

No - no problems here.

 

[m_bisson]

. I like using the computer as basically a tape, but as soon as I start using any kind of software effects, I become simultaneously bored and overwhelmed.

There's your answer. None of them are needed. I record myself to see how I sound, not to make songs.

 

[wetzelman1]

The less you have to do digitally is always going to be better.

a good source signal is always going to sound better than a crappy signal that you do a bunch of magic too to make sound the same. You're essentially losing information every time you add a digital effect to the signal.

I love plugins, but less is always more.

 

[pfschim]

I think I understand your situation.

Over the past year I have assembled a basic laptop based recording/practice rig. It works great, but I have found that delving into all the options - VST's, built in effects, drum machine options .. etc etc etc is sometimes overwhelming, and can totally derail the original intent, which is to effectively practice or do a recording.

What I have done is, after some experimenting with various sound shaping options, I set up a few templates for bass tones that I like and think will work for most practice or recording situations that I find myself in. So, now when I am planning a practice session, or recording effort, I just call in one of the templates and use that and don't mess around with tweaking it. This helps keep me from "fiddling" too much with all the great options available.

So, the second thing I do is, clearly decide what's going to happen - either a specific practice effort or recording project, or PLAY TIME. Play Time is when I just goof off and play around with the options that the DAW and plug-ins offer. That's good stuff too, BTW, because you can find new, useful or interesting sound options that can be employed later.

Remember, while you want to improve your playing through effective practice habits, and recordings need to have a plan to be completed, you also gotta have fun with music, keep it interesting. So, plan for the one side and play around for fun and exploration.

use the technology - don't let the technology use you

good luck

 

[Charling]

The less you have digitally and analog the better! The shortest path is almost always the quickest, ie you get the sound as right as you can with the earliest possible step in the chain.

It can be very easy to pile on the fx these days, with software allowing us to have a great compressor, great eq etc on every channel you have to overcome the tendency to actually DO it! You need to take a step back and ask yourself,

'do I NEED this plugin? what is it that I want it to do? How is it going to affect my mix? Am I actually dis-satisfied with the sound I have already, and if so can it be fixed on the amp, or bass, or the way I am playing before adding plug's?'

Its standard to have quite a lot of processing going on for modern sounding recordings, but having a processor on every channel because 'top engineer X' does is not going to help anything unless you understand really WHY they did that!

If something is well recorded it should sound pretty good without any kind of processing, so you should use that as a benchmark and then slowly introduce processors as you are getting comfortable with the sound of your track, and starting to hear where you would like things to be a bit different.

Pfschim makes some great points, I always have a few projects that I use to play around with, recent mixes that are finished or just project files with a drum loop/bassline in that I can use to play around with ideas on. Hopefully come the mix of a project I am happy knowing what all the plugs/outboard processors I have really DO and I can add them VERY sparingly.

Its hard as well with things like EQ's and compressors. They are the most important of processors for making the track sound great but the difference between the different models is VERY subtle. I think its good to limit yourself to using just 1 of each until you are very comfortable with it and what it does. Then when you are certain you can't get the job done with your chosen processor you can gently move on to another and listen to how it behaves diferently, whether its better etc.

Growing up with plugins I became too used to having as many processors as I could want, it took a little while to undo that mentality later down the line when I really learned what I was doing! I really advise you to use as LITTLE as possible right now, as it will force you to develop in some very important areas, like getting the perfect soud at source! You soon learn what is possible from your gear, room and techniques, and you'll start to learn when processing is actually needed.

When you are experienced with the different processors available and start to get great results, you'd be surprised how exciting bringing up a new plugin can be! It becomes the key to making BETTER music, rather than a confusing mess of buttons on fundamentally similar effects.

 

[NineSpine]

Thanks everyone. You have provided me with a lot to think about, and what I've basically concluded is that I should just focus on getting a good sound going in rather than bother with using lots of plug-ins. Instead of recording my bass straight into my computer, I am just going to use my pedals and if they cant give me the effect I'm looking for... oh well, I'll move on. It's not like I could reproduce that stuff at practice anyway.

With that said, can anyone recommend a simple as humanly possible drum sequencer for use in Logic? I've tried using Ultrabeat but it just overwhelms the hell out of me.

 

[Charling]

Thanks everyone. You have provided me with a lot to think about, and what I've basically concluded is that I should just focus on getting a good sound going in rather than bother with using lots of plug-ins. Instead of recording my bass straight into my computer, I am just going to use my pedals and if they cant give me the effect I'm looking for... oh well, I'll move on. It's not like I could reproduce that stuff at practice anyway.

With that said, can anyone recommend a simple as humanly possible drum sequencer for use in Logic? I've tried using Ultrabeat but it just overwhelms the hell out of me.

No probs.

As for drums, what is it you need? Ultrabeat is a drum sampler and sequencer. If you are happy to sequence drums in logic's piano roll then I'd advise doing that. The exs24 has some good starting points for drum sounds that are closer to 'normal' kits than ultrabeat but you will need to sequence it in Logic itself, not the plugins control panel.

You can get drum plugins that make the beat for you and you tweak it, but if you are used to making beats in midi regions in logics piano roll you will have a lot more flexibility!

If you really want to sequence 'in' a drum machine then you can use the lower section of ultrabeat. You can safely ignore everything above it (the crazy looking red area!) and just get used to programming stuff in the little step sequencer below.

Ultrabeat is easy enough once you get your head around it. The red (main) section is split into 3 layers. the top and middle are synths, the lowest is a sampler. Just turn off (theres a power switch for each) the top and middle and you have a sampler in the bottom layer, you can load your own samples in there. Click on the keyboard on the left to select which 'key' you want to edit and then sequence in the ultrabeat window or the logic piano roll! You can even sequence in the ultrabeat editor (if that makes the most sense to you, amke sure you turn it 'on' on the left first!) then once you have finished drag the little 'pattern' icon in the lower left to the ultrabeat track on the arrange page and you will get a midi region version of the pattern you just made! If you miss that step then Logic will just play the ultrabeat pattern round endlessly when you press play!

Check out sflogicninja on youtube for LOADS of great, easy to understand logic tips!