Live-ish recording help needed

[skwee]

So…I've been researching recording stuff for an upcoming project. I haven't seen exactly the information I need, so I'm outsourcing to you!

I have the following equipment, and I'm trying to determine what, if anything I need to change/buy to be able to do this.

Mics
Dynamic mics for vocals
One cardioid condenser
Zoom handy corder that can be used as a usb mic
Stereo pair of small diaphragm mics
A Tascam handy corder that could capture the whole room, but not much else.

Instruments
Acoustic guitar with a pickup
Electric Bass
Small perc (kick, snare, djembe, and some hand perc)
Synth


Equipment
Six channel mixer (Alto ZMX 862)
Native Instruments Komplete 6 Audio interface (6 channel, with midi)
Propellerhead Reason or The Reaper or GarageBand for a DAW
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I'd like to be able to keep my lead vocal and bass channels separate so I can overdub them later.

If you had these items, would you record the band (perc, guitar, keys) in one mix, and route the lead vocal and bass separately? Would I be able to route groupings to different tracks in a DAW with the equipment listed above?

For that matter, how many channels would I actually have at my disposal?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[wicksy]

Sounds like you have plenty enough equipment to be able to get something down. You haven't listed the mics you have so hard to suggest which ones to use on each instrument.

I assume the audio interface has 6 inputs? If so maybe try using 3 mics on kit (kick, snare and overhead) taking up 3 channels whilst recording synth, bass and acoustic in the other 3.

Then over dub the vocals using as many as you need or want depending on how many singers there are.

This way you are getting a live feel as the band is recorded live but you can get a clean take on the vocals without any spill from the other instruments.

There is no set way though dude, experiment with what you have but sounds like you have enough mics and enough channels to get something down clean and decent.

I have an profire 2626 8 channel interface and I get pretty good results just using 3 mics on full kit, kick snare and overhead. - Hope this helps.

 

[skwee]

Cool--thanks, that's very helpful!

Truth be told, I don't yet know what mics I will have by the time I do the project, but I'm looking at the Røde N1A for a condenser and the M5 stereo pair.

 

[pgolliher]

The Rode N1A are great mics. Great for vocals and just about everything else too.