I'm recording my own album? What do I need next? - Page 2

mosrite · 7th February 2006

I guess you have to ask yourself a very important question: "Do you think that this could feasably be a commercial release?." If the honest answer to that is "No" and you want to just do it for the experience, to use it as a demo to send out, to learn new skills etc etc then theres nothing wrong with the kit you have. If the answer to that question is "Yes" then you need to spend some cash, in my opinion, like this:

1. You need to buy at least one high-end preamp. Preferably a dual preamp rack so you can record some of your tracks in stereo. I doubt you'll get this for less than $1500 (unless you go second hand).

2. You need high-end convertors. Dont listen to the crap about not noticing much difference between high-end A/Ds and your 002. Ask yourself how many commercial releases realy on the convertors of the 002. The good news is you can still use Pro Tools by converting out of the 002 and going back in via AES or S/PDIF
These might cost you about $1500. You could of course go for a dual pre/AD rack like the Neve 1073dpd to cater for you pre and convertor needs.

3. You need some sort of treatment for you acoustic guitar recordings. If you have a small room then with some DIY tame the mids and highs and use that. Otherwise buy some very good screens.

4. Spend the rest on a professional mix engineer. You have neither the equipment nor (i suspect) the expertise to do that yourself

Good luck!

teleharmonic · 7th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosrite

2. You need high-end convertors. Dont listen to the crap about not noticing much difference between high-end A/Ds and your 002. Ask yourself how many commercial releases realy on the convertors of the 002. The good news is you can still use Pro Tools by converting out of the 002 and going back in via AES or S/PDIF
These might cost you about $1500. You could of course go for a dual pre/AD rack like the Neve 1073dpd to cater for you pre and convertor needs.

Mosrite,

I understand that high end convertors make a difference but given the rest of his set up do you think that they are really that much of a priority? Wouldn't that $1500 go a lot farther sonically stepping up his mic selection? or adding it to the other $1500 you have quoted for a preamp to get him 2 channels of Great River or similar quality preamp? Wouldn't $1500 worth of room treatment even go farther? I am not denying the value of proper convertors (and i do not think anyone in the thread has) but does it really rank that high to you?

I understand that you are detailing what you think is required for a 'commercial' release (which is not exactly an agreed upon standard... we talking string quartet or Sebadoh here?) but this is the 'low end theory' section... are convertors really 'bang for buck' purchases?

Sincerely asking.

Henchman · 7th February 2006

Spending $1500,- on a sterao micpre is a waste, IMO.
You wpuld be better off getting the new mackie 8 channel pre for that kind of money.
Rhe quility of pre's is going to have less of a significant impact than knowledge, knowhow, experience and talent.

mosrite · 8th February 2006

If we're talking about excellent recordings of acoustic instruments then Im afraid good convertors are obligatory. I was under the impression that that was what he was looking for when he quoted his influences.

However, if hes going for a more raw and creative approach then of course there are no rules.

A gulf between trying to capture the original instrument and musician in all their glory and creating new and interesting sounds. One requires high-end kit the other requires nothing but imagination.

Henchman · 8th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosrite

A gulf between trying to capture the original instrument and musician in all their glory and creating new and interesting sounds. One requires high-end kit the other requires nothing but imagination.

I still disagree.

I guarantee you that an ok mic pre with an ok mic and a great performance will be more than sufficient to mnake a record. And if you're tryign to stretch your dollars, then don't blow it on a single piece of gear.

nathanvacha · 8th February 2006

with what you're doing, i would say acoustics is your top priority. You're looking for atmosphere in your recordings... singersongwriter stuff is about feel, not top notch production, so i would record in a comfortable room that is conduscive to your creativity and sounds good but sounds homey. And when you spend money on gear, go for quality not quantity. If you're recording 1 or 2 tracks at a time, you don't need a gajillion microphones or pre's or probably even a mixer, just two channels of good chain all the way from air waves to bits. And i'm sure converters would bring out a lot more clarity and detail, but if you're just making it so you can hear your boxy-bedroom sounding performance area, then maybe that's not right for you. So now for my slutty recommendation finally... i would say look into a stereo tape machine. Track some accoustic and vox into a two track 1/4" or something. in all fairness, this is my opinion and my style of things and my perspective... and i guess just my two cents.

7th February 2006	#33
Henchman Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: LA, USA Posts: 6,836	Spending $1500,- on a sterao micpre is a waste, IMO. You wpuld be better off getting the new mackie 8 channel pre for that kind of money. Rhe quility of pre's is going to have less of a significant impact than knowledge, knowhow, experience and talent. __________________ www.markhensley.tv IMDB Credits

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7th February 2006	#31
mosrite Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2005 Location: All Over Posts: 1,115	I guess you have to ask yourself a very important question: "Do you think that this could feasably be a commercial release?." If the honest answer to that is "No" and you want to just do it for the experience, to use it as a demo to send out, to learn new skills etc etc then theres nothing wrong with the kit you have. If the answer to that question is "Yes" then you need to spend some cash, in my opinion, like this: 1. You need to buy at least one high-end preamp. Preferably a dual preamp rack so you can record some of your tracks in stereo. I doubt you'll get this for less than $1500 (unless you go second hand). 2. You need high-end convertors. Dont listen to the crap about not noticing much difference between high-end A/Ds and your 002. Ask yourself how many commercial releases realy on the convertors of the 002. The good news is you can still use Pro Tools by converting out of the 002 and going back in via AES or S/PDIF These might cost you about $1500. You could of course go for a dual pre/AD rack like the Neve 1073dpd to cater for you pre and convertor needs. 3. You need some sort of treatment for you acoustic guitar recordings. If you have a small room then with some DIY tame the mids and highs and use that. Otherwise buy some very good screens. 4. Spend the rest on a professional mix engineer. You have neither the equipment nor (i suspect) the expertise to do that yourself Good luck!

8th February 2006	#34
mosrite Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2005 Location: All Over Posts: 1,115	If we're talking about excellent recordings of acoustic instruments then Im afraid good convertors are obligatory. I was under the impression that that was what he was looking for when he quoted his influences. However, if hes going for a more raw and creative approach then of course there are no rules. A gulf between trying to capture the original instrument and musician in all their glory and creating new and interesting sounds. One requires high-end kit the other requires nothing but imagination.

8th February 2006	#36
nathanvacha Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,231	with what you're doing, i would say acoustics is your top priority. You're looking for atmosphere in your recordings... singersongwriter stuff is about feel, not top notch production, so i would record in a comfortable room that is conduscive to your creativity and sounds good but sounds homey. And when you spend money on gear, go for quality not quantity. If you're recording 1 or 2 tracks at a time, you don't need a gajillion microphones or pre's or probably even a mixer, just two channels of good chain all the way from air waves to bits. And i'm sure converters would bring out a lot more clarity and detail, but if you're just making it so you can hear your boxy-bedroom sounding performance area, then maybe that's not right for you. So now for my slutty recommendation finally... i would say look into a stereo tape machine. Track some accoustic and vox into a two track 1/4" or something. in all fairness, this is my opinion and my style of things and my perspective... and i guess just my two cents.