Thunderbird Club

[PillO]

@Chucky Stiletti (and a lot of spare time) got me thinking about getting back into home recording. I need to drastically update my very out of date analog (cassette tape) mixing and recording console and go digital.

I don't need pro grade, no intent of publishing anything, but would just like to create some direct plug in tracks - don't really want to go down the mic rabbit hole again, did that 20 years ago and found it to be never ending. I'd like to share tracks with my band buddies and do multi track lay overs. The other thing I don't want is a complex software program that ends up sucking all the spontaneity and creative energy out of playing while I fiddle f..k with stupid brain dead interfaces and adjust a thousand parameters. Obviously I'm looking for a KISS approach to home non pro recording.

So, what's out there that's dead simple, direct plug into the bass, fully digital, allows others to lay tracks on top of it, and if not fully self contained requires an iPhone app at max.

This is what I'm looking at right now...
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SpireStudio--izotope-spire-studio
Any thoughts on this or other suggestions welcomed.

Any thoughts on budget? Of course, money can buy simplicity. The simplest is just book studio time and a recording engineer, but that might be a bit spendy.

An audio interface can be had quite inexpensively these days. The software is the part that requires the learning. I found that Audacity is pretty straightforward (for what I do, which is record practice so that I can hear my errors) but it does require some learning. It is open source and available on a number of platforms.

 

[Gaolee]

Any program that's worth using for recording is going to have it's quirks. The key is to use it all the time so the quirks are not an issue. I use Cubase, but I don't use it enough to remember what worked last time reliably. That's a PITA. I have heard good things about Garageband, but you have to have a Mac to use it. I won't buy a Mac on general principles.

 

[Inky13]

@Chucky Stiletti (and a lot of spare time) got me thinking about getting back into home recording. I need to drastically update my very out of date analog (cassette tape) mixing and recording console and go digital.

I don't need pro grade, no intent of publishing anything, but would just like to create some direct plug in tracks - don't really want to go down the mic rabbit hole again, did that 20 years ago and found it to be never ending. I'd like to share tracks with my band buddies and do multi track lay overs. The other thing I don't want is a complex software program that ends up sucking all the spontaneity and creative energy out of playing while I fiddle f..k with stupid brain dead interfaces and adjust a thousand parameters. Obviously I'm looking for a KISS approach to home non pro recording.

So, what's out there that's dead simple, direct plug into the bass, fully digital, allows others to lay tracks on top of it, and if not fully self contained requires an iPhone app at max.

This is what I'm looking at right now...
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SpireStudio--izotope-spire-studio
Any thoughts on this or other suggestions welcomed.

I’m no Phil Specter (No murder conviction yet!) but I find recording to a phone or tablet limiting. I’ve had some success with Garage Band and an interface. Or Logic Pro at the next level. You don’t have to lose your mind over mic selection. A couple of sm57-58’s will do nicely. I still have my four track cassette. You can record bass and drums on it and fly them into whatever DAW you are using. The tape saturation gives you some analog warmth. I always liked the old Fostex MR8.
Digital recording in a compact stand alone unit. There’s a ton of options out there now. Whether you go full blown studio or Edison wax cylinders, the important thing is to get your ideas out there and have fun.

 

[Engle]

Any program that's worth using for recording is going to have it's quirks. The key is to use it all the time so the quirks are not an issue. I use Cubase, but I don't use it enough to remember what worked last time reliably. That's a PITA. I have heard good things about Garageband, but you have to have a Mac to use it. I won't buy a Mac on general principles.

I’ve been using Acid (the software) for years and find it’s very user friendly.

I tried GarageBand on a Mac, but couldn’t get used to it, and went back to a PC.

I have a Saffire Pro 40 interface.

 

[GBassNorth]

Any thoughts on budget? Of course, money can buy simplicity. The simplest is just book studio time and a recording engineer, but that might be a bit spendy.

An audio interface can be had quite inexpensively these days. The software is the part that requires the learning. I found that Audacity is pretty straightforward (for what I do, which is record practice so that I can hear my errors) but it does require some learning. It is open source and available on a number of platforms.

I'd like to keep it under $500 if possible. Not looking for anything super fancy, just super easy. As far as learning new software goes, I'm not a Luddite by any stretch and am very capable of working my way around software ins and outs, but I'm gonna be dead stubborn on the plug and play thing.

Any program that's worth using for recording is going to have it's quirks. The key is to use it all the time so the quirks are not an issue. I use Cubase, but I don't use it enough to remember what worked last time reliably. That's a PITA. I have heard good things about Garageband, but you have to have a Mac to use it. I won't buy a Mac on general principles.

I have a Mac with garage band, unfortunately it's in another room and I'm not moving it. I do have an iPad but it's just about out of memory and has an older operating system that's been upgraded about as far as it can go. My iPhone is new and up to date, so I could easily put an app on that if needed. But again, if I can't just plug into it and set recording levels then start playing, it won't get used.

To put things in perspective, Garage Band appears to have a ton of capability and is probably a great program for someone who wants to play sound engineer, I want to play bass. I've briefly tried GB and found it to be a waste of my time. Too much set up time and too many options to play with. If I have an interesting bass line in my head I want to capture it now, not ten minutes from now. That was the beauty with analog, literally plug in and hit record.

 

[GBassNorth]

I’m no Phil Specter (No murder conviction yet!) but I find recording to a phone or tablet limiting. I’ve had some success with Garage Band and an interface. Or Logic Pro at the next level. You don’t have to lose your mind over mic selection. A couple of sm57-58’s will do nicely. I still have my four track cassette. You can record bass and drums on it and fly them into whatever DAW you are using. The tape saturation gives you some analog warmth. I always liked the old Fostex MR8.
Digital recording in a compact stand alone unit. There’s a ton of options out there now. Whether you go full blown studio or Edison wax cylinders, the important thing is to get your ideas out there and have fun.

I still have my four track cassette as well and might just keep using it, it's dead simple. Maybe all I really need is the method to convert the tape output to a specific DAW. I don't mind mixing and mastering and playing around with sound files after the fact, I just don't want to have to do any of that distracting stuff while I'm trying to create.

 

[Kriegs]

can you pass the test?....

In Washington State we call those Clams...…..rhymes with glam.

Heuh iz da REEL test ta see hooz uh reel neweenglanduh!!!

Whuttah theez tree clams cawled, an whut ah eechadem used faw?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Kriegs]

My wife, a long-time, longer-than-me Rhoady, has me stood corrected:

The proper pronunciation, and usage,of the word "Quauhog"...
Caw-hawg, a bi-valve found in local waters;
Caw-hawguh, one who harvests caw-hawgs;
Caw-hawgizz, the population of small workboats you see on a typical fair day out on the bay...

Wikid smaht ladee Cawhawg fuh da win!

 

[Kriegs]

In my mind, every Quonset hut is dimly lit and contains mechanical items preserved in Cosmoline.

When I was a DI at Ft. Leonard Wood, we taught classes in 'refurbished' Quonset huts. 25 years later they STILL smelled of Cosmoline [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Fun fact, I work 7 miles from Quonset Point, where the huts got their name from

 

[Engle]

I’m no Phil Specter (No murder conviction yet!) but I find recording to a phone or tablet limiting. I’ve had some success with Garage Band and an interface. Or Logic Pro at the next level. You don’t have to lose your mind over mic selection. A couple of sm57-58’s will do nicely. I still have my four track cassette. You can record bass and drums on it and fly them into whatever DAW you are using. The tape saturation gives you some analog warmth. I always liked the old Fostex MR8.
Digital recording in a compact stand alone unit. There’s a ton of options out there now. Whether you go full blown studio or Edison wax cylinders, the important thing is to get your ideas out there and have fun.

A working PC and a decent audio interface will do it. As much as we obsess over tone, just plugging a bass into the interface will get you a decent tone.
The times I have been paid for recording (admittedly only a few), the engineer/producer just wants a direct recorded bass track and they will take it from there. They can always run it through an amp, but I doubt they ever do that.

 

[Inky13]

I still have my four track cassette as well and might just keep using it, it's dead simple. Maybe all I really need is the method to convert the tape output to a specific DAW. I don't mind mixing and mastering and playing around with sound files after the fact, I just don't want to have to do any of that distracting stuff while I'm trying to create.

I hear you on the simplicity front. As always, just my opinion, I think a stand alone box like the MR8 would be a viable option.
It’s pretty much a digital tape recorder.

 

[Count Bassie]

I still have my four track cassette as well and might just keep using it, it's dead simple. Maybe all I really need is the method to convert the tape output to a specific DAW. I don't mind mixing and mastering and playing around with sound files after the fact, I just don't want to have to do any of that distracting stuff while I'm trying to create.

Recording to tape, with the option of saturation, is a great idea. Then run your individual tracks out to your software for editing, etc., without running your tape and the inherent "issues" you might incur.

 

[Kriegs]

I'd like to keep it under $500 if possible. Not looking for anything super fancy, just super easy. As far as learning new software goes, I'm not a Luddite by any stretch and am very capable of working my way around software ins and outs, but I'm gonna be dead stubborn on the plug and play thing.

...

But again, if I can't just plug into it and set recording levels then start playing, it won't get used.

...

If I have an interesting bass line in my head I want to capture it now, not ten minutes from now. That was the beauty with analog, literally plug in and hit record.

For recording, I use either a Focusrite 18i20 or 2i4 into my PC running Reason 10.

When I want to record something quick:

1. Turn on the laptop
2. By the time I've plugged my bass into the interface and gotten comfy on my stool, the computer is booted and ready
   
3. Double click the Reason icon
4. Wait for the program to load
5. Click Add Track
6. Click Record
7. 

Total time elapsed: Less than a minute

Cost:

• Laptop or desktop - price depends on your choice of hardware & specs but you can run Reason on a fairly lean machine - Reason will run on either Mac or PC
  
• Interface - $200 - 400-ish, depending on your choice and needs
  
• Reason 10 - $299 on sale

 

[Richard I]

I know i'm askin for trouble here.View attachment 3542002

Is that a Nate Mendel? Can I ask you some questions via PM?

But no J. He is in the clear.

I'm guilty.

 

[Engle]

Recording to tape, with the option of saturation, is a great idea. Then run your individual tracks out to your software for editing, etc., without running your tape and the inherent "issues" you might incur.

Tape saturation is cool for sure, but will it add time and complexity to the process.
You could always run your track out to tape and then back into the DAW later. -or use a tape saturation plug in

When I just want capture an idea, I often record it with my phone or iPad. Quick & simple.

 

[MCF]

I have tried and used both (not on a tbird).

RS are my favorite flat period...for 10 minutes, then the seem to loose that zing and die (IMHO) very quickly to a dull thud, which is just not my thing.

Chromes have that similar zing, mellow out (mildly) in a few days, and then stay that way for a long time.

Slinky cobalt flats are my go to flat, even though not a true flat. If I had to run flats, Chromes would be my choice. I still may try them on the tbird eventually...

Good Luck!

“Mellow out” is a good description, although I tend to think it more of “evening out.” My experience on Ps is that they are a bit mellower than rounds, still have some grind (think Duck on the live Time is Tight at Oakland where Fogerty is watching in awe from the wings) and are consistent across and up and down the board.

 

[gidbass]

“Mellow out” is a good description, although I tend to think it more of “evening out.” My experience on Ps is that they are a bit mellower than rounds, still have some grind (think Duck on the live Time is Tight at Oakland where Fogerty is watching in awe from the wings) and are consistent across and up and down the board.

You're are right, "evening out" is a better description and I agree with everything you said.

They just didn't have "enough grind" for me, and there is where the cobalts get the nod but this is all personal preference of course...

Now, with these hot pickups on my VP that may have changed so I do need to try them again...

 

[MCF]

I turn knobs by feel, just like playing without looking at fingers. It's not as precise, and once you figure it out like you have, it becomes far more predictable.

I only turn knos and flip switches on the ‘15. All others are full on full time. Less to think about that way.

 

[MCF]

Great tune, but even now, it gets overplayed, esp. if the DJ has to go to the can. That or "Stranglehold" or "In-a-Gadda...."

Or DOA.

 

[Count Bassie]

Tape saturation is cool for sure, but will it add time and complexity to the process.
You could always run your track out to tape and then back into the DAW later. -or use a tape saturation plug in

When I just want capture an idea, I often record it with my phone or iPad. Quick & simple.

I'm lo fi anyway, but if you want qui k then you do a straight line... into a machine, mix, voila.

The time is the length of a song plus cabling up time and assigning tracks in your software, really... nothing unusually involved.