Do you record yourself when you practice?

[micguy]

I don't record myself practicing, but every week, my gigs go up on Youtube. Does that count?

 

[chazolson]

I just bought a Soundcraft 24-channel mixer and recorder so we can easily record every song in rehearsal, if we want to.

 

[Slevage]

Sometimes.
I didn’t vote because none of the selections were accurate for me.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Yes we do with a Zoom microphone as well, great tool to review and arrange structures and sections when we are putting together a new original song.

 

[SoulReflection]

I'd love to.

I can't figure out how to use my Focusrtie Scarlett audio interface though.

YouTube could be your friend .

 

[SoulReflection]

What is your favorite mic for recording bass? I only ever use a DI myself but I'm interested in micing my cabinet.

Mine is a Shure 52A...highly recommended.

 

[Skullheadrac]

I have an audio recorder app on my phone that we use at rehearsal just so we remember song ideas

 

[LowRick]

No! Are you mad?

 

[Hambone70]

I used to record multitracks (gigs only) from the mixer straight to an external hard drive.

 

[Hambone70]

26617171[/URL], member: 385065"]Yeah I tried that, but it's just a frequency stripper, and the isolated bass tracks sound really weird. It's also doesn't remove notes above like a D3, not the more percussive elements in slapping, or fret buzz, stuff like that. It's a neat tool but karaoke-version I just love because the bass tracks are actual isolated tracks, not just a frequency strip, so the weird distortion you get with a frequency stripper isn't an issue. And some of the remakes at Karaoke are actually quite good. Much better than some cover bands I've played in that's for sure.

Me, too. Been using Karaoke Version for years. Back when we were gigging, I’d make MP3s from KV for each band member. They’d each get an isolated track, and a track with their part muted. Great for self-practice, so rehearsals were quick and efficient. Well worth 3 bucks a track, IMO.

 

[DaDo625]

Almost from the beginning and it has helped.

I would use my iPhone to video my instructor, playing my bass, outlining my "homework".

When I started a regular jam session with the guitar player we used the iPhone, that demonstrated how bad our timing was...so we added a beat buddy...

Then his SO's schedule moves us to quiet practice so we plug in to a Beringer 802, connect that to GB on an old MacBook and hook the Mac to the TV to watch the tracks while using cans.

Then its a band and we record every practice on a Tascam40 - simple but if you work out where to put it in the room the results are usable.
Not much above stone knives and bearskins for tech but it helps - the tape does not lie...and that is not just for the train wrecks - it helps when you can document that some new approach was a change for the better.

 

[LeSonyr]

I have used a Zoom H2N to record every band rehearsal and every gig for the past 8 years. The H2N has 360 deg recording and does a great job.

I find it helpful to hear the band when I am not playing. With a free mind, I can think of how to change parts or arrangements, etc. And it is really helpful to be able to practice with your band when you are alone.

Plus, it's fun to have an archive of my band(s).

 

[mambo4]

I used a Zoom H2 to record my originals band at rehearsals back in the day, cut up into mp3s (audacity) and posted on the band's google docs. It was useful for documenting the organically spun up creative stuff. But at home I practiced my parts with a chart and a metronome.

For cover band / chart band gigs, I never recorded since the parts were already documented

 

[Isaac_James]

No! Are you mad?

We're all mad here, Rick.

 

[groovaholic]

For one of my bands, I have everything mic'ed up, so I can run a FireWire cable from the digital mixer to my Mac and capture 16 tracks of digital at rehearsal.

Bleed is an issue - especially on the vocal mics - but even a rough mix with panning, some EQ presets and dynamics cleans things up enough to be VERY useful to fine-tune songs and hear what is (and isn't) working.

I can also use it after the fact to mess around with effects and EQ to see what makes my bass sit in the mix best.

 

[Simon lob]

I started to record myself when I was studying. At mostly a disappointment to listen to it afterwards but I learned a lot. I think it trains the hearing too because you get more sensitive about the analysis of your own playing

 

[Bass-ball]

Me, too. Been using Karaoke Version for years. Back when we were gigging, I’d make MP3s from KV for each band member. They’d each get an isolated track, and a track with their part muted. Great for self-practice, so rehearsals were quick and efficient. Well worth 3 bucks a track, IMO.

Oh totally. I always buy the custom mixes, not just the bass ones, because sometimes the stems will come with electric bass guitar, and like a bass synth along with it, and often it gets in the way. Not sure if you're into smooth jazz classics, but you can see what I mean on the KV version of Grover Washington Jr.'s "Winelight" (the original bassist was none other than a young 21 year old Marcus Miller himself - fun fact). So sometimes instead of buying the cheaper bass-only one, I get the full customizable mix, and then do the same thing you did with your bandmates.

Usually I load all the stems into my DAW, even their electric bass track, and just mute their bassist and then record myself in a separate, additional track. Then, if I'm stuck, or want to hear how they do it, unmute their bass and listen, then go back and mute it again and try it on my own.

KV rocks. I have purchased so much from them - and their email updates on new releases are really cool too.

 

[basseux]

Do you mean record each instrument separately, then mix together?

With the band rehearsal or show this is my desire, to get a better sound, and also so everyone can hear their mistakes and it would help for future studio recordings for instance.

But this gets little traction from other band members so far.

So personnaly i record my bass at rehearsals and show of if possible.

At home what I do is using a looper that can record 5 minutes, so I can check myself quickly when playing over some song, i want to be sure my bass will convey all the rythmic intention of the tune, alone even without drums.

I also use the zoom, and record the track i cover and my bass separatly and listen with and without to see if I fit and if as i said it sounds good enough rythmically alone.

I made huge improvements with that.
At first the reality check is hard

 

[rufus.K]

Every band rehearsal, every show.

 

[Rocket Queen]

James Boyk, To Hear Ourselves As Others Hear Us: Tape Recording As a Tool in Music Practicing & Teaching

https://www.amazon.com/Hear-Ourselves-Others-Recording-Practicing/dp/0918812879