Bringing back old school into the new school

[Insomniaclown]

I have been working and learning this ITB business for awhile now, and I think its time I give something a try. It seems that with everytime I work on one of my tracks, I keep throwing more and more plugs at it to make it sound good. Well, not this time!

I am going to start by limiting the amount of plugs I will make available for use. 1 channelstrip, 2 EQ's, 2 compressors, 1 noise gate, 1 stereo and 1 mono delay, and one reverb. I am also going to heavily limit how much processing goes on individual tracks, and try to automate tracks instead of just reaching for that compressor to limit the dynamic range.

On the 2 buss, I am going to mix into a buss compressor and a limiter. The only EQing I am going to allow myself on the 2 buss are high and low pass filters.

I am also going to not use a lot of the modern conveniences afforded to me by my DAW. There will be no strip silence, normalizing, quick swipe comping, pitch shifting, or any other destructive editing. If its not right, I am going to re track it.

Any other ideas of ways I can bring some old school techniques in the box? Besides working OTB that is.

[cyjanopan]

Start with colourful microphones and it will be easier than you think

[Dean Roddey]

The trick, whether digital or analog, is to record stuff that sounds right to begin with and it's not a problem nowever you mix. What 'sounds right' in digital may mean warmer, more rolled off top end, more saturation etc... on the way in because the recording medium isn't going to do that for you.

But if you are doing lots of processing to make it sound right, no matter how you recorded it, most likely the problem is in the recording process, not the mixing process. I realize that, if you are a pro mixer that's a lot easier said than done since you don't control the recording process necessarily. But if you do have that luxury, put your efforts there and it will pay off far more than what you are doing now.

In my opinion of course....

[Insomniaclown]

I am certainly no pro mixer, just a solo artist with an obsession. I have been working a lot on recording things properly, which I know will make the mixing process easier, but I just want to limit my options when it comes to the mix. I think that by using so many different tools, some cohesiveness is being lost in the music.

Colourful mics eh? Hmmmm. I think I'll need to do some renting!

[nostudio]

Seems like a good excercise, but don't limit yourself unnesicarily [sic]. EQ particularly, I have found, is pretty needed if your tracking in less that ideal (that is, utterly unideal) spaces.

I personaly like to track as if I were using a tape machine, that is, punch in rather than edit later, but when it comes to mixing / plugins, do whats gotta be done. It took me a while to find the right balance, and spending time in an "old school" studio with an awesome desk, 2" tape machine and a bunch of beautiful hardware really opened my eyes, I'd highly reccomend grabbing any experience you can in that area, if possible.

I started out throwing a whole bunch of plugins on everything just to make it sound reasonable, it just takes time and practice with mic placement and selection, getting a deep understanding of EQ and compressors etc and knowing when you have the right take. I don't belive that there is any great secret, just practice and developing your ears to understand what your hearing. I've still got a loooong way to go myself, but I have made a lot of progress in the last few years, just by keeping an open ear :)

[soulofmalay]

Originally Posted by Insomniaclown

I have been working and learning this ITB business for awhile now, and I think its time I give something a try. It seems that with everytime I work on one of my tracks, I keep throwing more and more plugs at it to make it sound good. Well, not this time!

I am going to start by limiting the amount of plugs I will make available for use. 1 channelstrip, 2 EQ's, 2 compressors, 1 noise gate, 1 stereo and 1 mono delay, and one reverb. I am also going to heavily limit how much processing goes on individual tracks, and try to automate tracks instead of just reaching for that compressor to limit the dynamic range.

On the 2 buss, I am going to mix into a buss compressor and a limiter. The only EQing I am going to allow myself on the 2 buss are high and low pass filters.

I am also going to not use a lot of the modern conveniences afforded to me by my DAW. There will be no strip silence, normalizing, quick swipe comping, pitch shifting, or any other destructive editing. If its not right, I am going to re track it.

Any other ideas of ways I can bring some old school techniques in the box? Besides working OTB that is.

Not sure what you are using for tracking, but through my years of experience, I used to run into the same issues you are dealing with all of the time. As I started to finally get into the "major" label realm and dealing with pro mixers, I've fortunately learned tons of tips. The main being how to track properly.

The biggest issue I have always faced is not enough gear! (i.e. money). What I did is start buying things one at a time, and try and focus and getting more "all purpose" gear right away. Like a great stereo pre and outboard compression (neve, tubetech). If you keep and eye out, you can find stuff used for a much better deal. Mics are a huge expense, but I started with the Neumann M149, which I've used on just about anything you could imagine with great results.

Recording through analog pre's and compressors changed my whole sound. Now I'm at the point where labels have actually used my mixes on songs that I've produced... And I'm really just working ITB, and using minimal plugs.

[Insomniaclown]

Thanks for all the advice so far!

Nostudio- If I need to do it to suit the song, then I need to do it. The plugs I have chosen will afford me a great deal of flexibility, especially in the EQ department. It is certainly an exercise that hopefully will force me to track what I need, but also to help me learn to visualize the final result. We shall see how it goes...

Soulofmalay- My tracking chain is pretty solid right now. I have a UA 710 mic pre to an Apogee duet. Mics are not too bad. PR30, e609, AT 2050, and a couple of cheap Apex mics. They have served me well so far. I wish I had more money for gear, but don't we all! I actually just acquired a UAD 2 card, which has really opened my eyes (and ears) to the possibilities. I am actually hoping to start rocking the DIY outboard gear train soon. First build will be a Urei LA 4. I might then go to an LA 2A, but I am not the most experienced in electronics.

Part of my inspiration was actually from a thread started by monsieur Roddey regarding his new minimalist plugless studio. How is that working for you by the way? If I wasn't so deeply rooted ITB, and outta disposable cash, thats exactly what I would do.

[Tomer1]

May I suggest a good workhorse LDC before DIYing away with compressors.

[Insomniaclown]

Originally Posted by Tomer1

May I suggest a good workhorse LDC before DIYing away with compressors.

Yes. What would you suggest? I am actually looking to buy an SM7b. The music I write has a lot of metal influences, so condensers can be problematic. The DIY compressor is a few months off. I still have to practice my soldering skills.