I am having problems recording drums in a home studio. Please help!

[JaneBass1]

locolobo85,

This is very clear now. At least I know how a real physical mixer works for. headphone amps clear too.

Would you or anybody else recommend a more affordable mixer in that case?

I think that right now at the moment, my best option is track the drums with a pre-recorded rehearsal and a click, making sure that they know what I am trying to achieve.

- Although some songs do have either a solo bass or guitar intro. I guess thats going to be quite some homework to make sure the drums start at the right point

In the future when I buy a mixer and headphone amp and more headphones and mics and a bunch of cables, then I will go that way. Maybe by then I can squeeze enough $$ out of my current hardware to pay for these equipment .

 

[Bardley]

I'm currently tracking an album piece by piece. Here's what seems to work best for us: (disclaimer: our drummer is incredible -- and that helps alot!)

We track drums first. But that doesn't mean he's got to play by himself.

1. Figure out the tempo, set the click appropriately.
2. Record a guide track on either or both guitar and bass, along to the click. NOTE: these don't have to sound good, or even be mistake free. They are simply there so that the drummer can hear the instruments while tracking. I don't spend ANY time on these, just need the music to be there, and in time.
3. Track the drums. What the drummer hears: the click, and then whatever else he needs from the guide tracks.
4. Record everything else to the actual drum tracks.

+1

I've had to do this. Just record scratch guitar & bass tracks to the click for the drummer to play to. Then track everything else to the drum tracks removing the scratch tracks. I, personally would go drums, bass, guitars, and then vocals last. If the guys need vocals to record just record a scratch vocal and re-track it when everything else is done. That way you build from the foundation up.

 

[Bardley]

locolobo85,

- Although some songs do have either a solo bass or guitar intro. I guess thats going to be quite some homework to make sure the drums start at the right point

Just count off the measures on with the click. It shouldn't be that hard. Scratch tracks are your friend.

 

[megadan]

- Although some songs do have either a solo bass or guitar intro. I guess thats going to be quite some homework to make sure the drums start at the right point.

The way this is usually done is that the drummer is being recording and the guitarist/bassist is playing along as a scratch track. The drummer clicks the song in with a 4 count and then the bass/guitar starts the intro while the drummer continues the stick clicks.

Then later when you do the good recordings you have both a into coutn and a click by the drummer for the guitar/bass to follow.

 

[locolobo85]

From an investment standpoint you may consider going a completely different direction. The money would probably be better spend on increasing your workstations multitrack recording capabilities.

The method I described was just what we were doing with equipment on hand. We were also limited to 2 tracks of recording input which requires a little creativity.

As for affordable mixers, there's always the used route. I've always liked the Yamaha mixers because of the combination of fairly solid sound quality and value. However, the used mixer market can be a little sketchy. Lots of mixers have been misused and/or abused and may have faulty channels or outputs.

For the price, something like this may be worth a look.....
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-MX-12-4-...ryZ23785QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or, dare I say, even this one......

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-MX200-8-...ryZ23785QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

But only if you'd like to add an old school mixer to your equipment.

Technology has surpassed this equipment even though they still have some life and can be pressed in duty for home recording projects, local bands, etc..

Good luck.

 

[Greyvagabond]

Not reading the other posts, the best way to track drums first is to run guitars and bass into a DI, no amps, and send that mix to the drummer's headphones. That way, the band is playing live, but there is no bleed issues with guitar and bass amps.