I need HELP recording

[Iceman327]

Before anybody directs me back to the "Recording 101" thread I want to say I've carefully read through the articles that pertain to some of my questions, but I still require further assistance.

I'm trying to record some bass guitar tracks and I'm pretty sure I have decent enough equipment to get the job done, but I lack experience and know how with the software side of recording. I can play the bass just fine, but I don't know where to start with how to get the best sounding recordings.

My current setup:

Ibanez Soundgear SR500M Bass guitar
Behringer BXL1800 180WATT Amp
Boss Keyboard Mixer KM-600
Standard M-audio USB studio interface
AVS Audio Editor is the software I'm using for recording/editing


What I'm currently struggling with is what settings to use on the software such as how high the gain should be, how to use the compressor, and how to get the best latency and overall just a general guide on hands-on recording do's and don'ts.

If anyone can offer me any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

Have you checked out Invalid Link Removed ?
I read through their guide twice before I started any recordings and have had pro results.

 

[Iceman327]

Have you checked out Invalid Link Removed ?
I read through their guide twice before I started any recordings and have had pro results.

I have not, but I will certainly peruse around the site. Thank you.

 

[jarrydee]

I would make sure to record below 0db, yellow is the new red when it comes to input levels! with 24bit recording you do not have to worry about the noise floor like you did with tape. Keep your input levels low and record strait in with no eq or effects. All the eq'ing can be done after you get a clean take, use a low pass filter just a tad and compress to taste..after you get everything down make sure you do a little cutting on the bass so it does not conflict with the kick drum (frequency wise)...remember it is always better to cut than to boost when eq'ing any instrument, and always make sure to carve out spots for an instruments frequency, use hi pass filters on everything that is not bass related IMO. not a lot, but just to clean things up. Try and use delay in place of reverb when possible...have fun!!

 

[ScottTunes]

I would make sure to record below 0db, yellow is the new red when it comes to input levels! with 24bit recording you do not have to worry about the noise floor like you did with tape. Keep your input levels low and record strait in with no eq or effects. All the eq'ing can be done after you get a clean take, use a low pass filter just a tad and compress to taste..after you get everything down make sure you do a little cutting on the bass so it does not conflict with the kick drum (frequency wise)...remember it is always better to cut than to boost when eq'ing any instrument, and always make sure to carve out spots for an instruments frequency, use hi pass filters on everything that is not bass related IMO. not a lot, but just to clean things up. Try and use delay in place of reverb when possible...have fun!!

Wow! Some excellent and concise information! Couldn't have said it better myself!

One recommendation: check out Reaper. Great DAW to record/mix with! And though it is likely better than other recording programs, the price is unbeatable! It comes with very good documentation, and a forum too. So you'll never get lost!

Happy recording!

 

[jarrydee]

Wow! Some excellent and concise information! Couldn't have said it better myself!

One recommendation: check out Reaper. Great DAW to record/mix with! And though it is likely better than other recording programs, the price is unbeatable! It comes with very good documentation, and a forum too. So you'll never get lost!

Happy recording!

+1... Reaper is a great DAW, and you can try it out for as long as you want, you should buy it after you learn it though. It is great for people new at recording because it is very stable, I started with Pro tools when it first came out and after all this time it is still the pickiest DAW out there and can make you want to kick a hole in your computer...lol!