Tracking Midi in Hip Hop

digiman · 3rd August 2005

I have heard several big name producers who track their midi tracks virtually, as opposed to recording individual tracks for each midi part. That is, instead of tracking all of the parts individually in Pro Tools (substitute DAW of choice here), they pre-mix everything in a mixer and just run the master outs from the mixer into to the DAW to record down to a L and R stereo channel. This then leaves the other tracks available on the DAW for vocals and other overdubs. I'm just curious if a lot of folks work like this.

As a follow up question, for those who do work this way what happens when someone wants to buy your beat or when someone is ready to put the track on an album? Do you usually go back in the studio and re-record everything or do they take the 2 track stereo CD and load that back into protools or something and add vocals from there.

I'm just curious about the process. I ran into a few producers who work this way and was wondering if a lot of you guys work that way.

**TonyBelmont** · 3rd August 2005

That is what you would call "2 tracking a beat"...

This allows them to send the beat out (usually on a CD), for demo-ing so that you can shop your beats to the artists. If they buy it, then you would track it and mix it properly.

paultools · 3rd August 2005

I see more and more people working off the 2-track, never going back to re-track the beat. The absolute horror is that quite often these CD's are FUKKEN MP3'S!!!

See the Dave Pensado archives.

moeses · 3rd August 2005

" Do you usually go back in the studio and re-record everything or do they take the 2 track stereo CD and load that back into protools or something and add vocals from there. "

depends, i know a few producers who i will not touch their 2 track mix, they are just so good at what they do i leave it alone

others, you really need to touch up, especially in the lower freq

Charlie-O · 3rd August 2005

Yes, some producers ont want there mix touched, I can understand for the ones who are "qaulified". The music can get f*ed up if the mix is not done correctly. But thats why its sometime good for the producer to stick around actually be a producer and stay when the song is being mixed.

Fredrik · 3rd August 2005

I think it can be a good idea to "pre mix" sounds in the production, just to get closer to what you know you want to achive.

Then the mixing process is more about balance and minor tweaks.

But you have to know what you are doing (as always I suppose).

beatzz · 4th August 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by paultools

I see more and more people working off the 2-track, never going back to re-track the beat. The absolute horror is that quite often these CD's are FUKKEN MP3'S!!!

See the Dave Pensado archives.

Yikes, that's scary.

kennyd03 · 4th August 2005

1. I bring back my MIDI virtually most of the time. For the final mix, I'll dump the MIDI tracks into my DAW.

2. I've always delivered my beats as a multi-track DAW session, on 2" tape, or back in the old days, ADATs.

Good luck!

-KD03

3rd August 2005	#1
digiman Gear addict Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 435 Thread Starter	Tracking Midi in Hip Hop I have heard several big name producers who track their midi tracks virtually, as opposed to recording individual tracks for each midi part. That is, instead of tracking all of the parts individually in Pro Tools (substitute DAW of choice here), they pre-mix everything in a mixer and just run the master outs from the mixer into to the DAW to record down to a L and R stereo channel. This then leaves the other tracks available on the DAW for vocals and other overdubs. I'm just curious if a lot of folks work like this. As a follow up question, for those who do work this way what happens when someone wants to buy your beat or when someone is ready to put the track on an album? Do you usually go back in the studio and re-record everything or do they take the 2 track stereo CD and load that back into protools or something and add vocals from there. I'm just curious about the process. I ran into a few producers who work this way and was wondering if a lot of you guys work that way.

3rd August 2005	#2
TonyBelmont Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Boston,MA Providence,RI Posts: 15,921	That is what you would call "2 tracking a beat"... This allows them to send the beat out (usually on a CD), for demo-ing so that you can shop your beats to the artists. If they buy it, then you would track it and mix it properly. __________________ Tony Belmont We Sell Gear! High Profile Audio.....PluginDiscounts.com I may on occasion talk about some of the products I am a dealer for in my posts.. and that's OK! I sell them because I like them. Not vice versa. It's more fun to talk about things you know and love, then things you don't.

3rd August 2005	#3
paultools Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,238	I see more and more people working off the 2-track, never going back to re-track the beat. The absolute horror is that quite often these CD's are FUKKEN MP3'S!!! See the Dave Pensado archives. __________________ We are creating enemies faster than we can kill them.

3rd August 2005	#4
moeses Gear addict Joined: Nov 2004 Location: san francisco bay area Posts: 365	" Do you usually go back in the studio and re-record everything or do they take the 2 track stereo CD and load that back into protools or something and add vocals from there. " depends, i know a few producers who i will not touch their 2 track mix, they are just so good at what they do i leave it alone others, you really need to touch up, especially in the lower freq __________________ and past mistakes ya made are laid freshly on my brain took the train to a place called change but came back the same in a frame of mind that holds Divincci's now loves convinced me so loneliness is out to lynch me. pinch me!!! awake from dreams but it seems we've just avoided it you got a spell on me, and i'll never try destroying it/ www.myspace.com/soulright

3rd August 2005	#5
Charlie-O Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: California Posts: 882	Yes, some producers ont want there mix touched, I can understand for the ones who are "qaulified". The music can get f*ed up if the mix is not done correctly. But thats why its sometime good for the producer to stick around actually be a producer and stay when the song is being mixed. __________________ It is not what you have, but what you create with it....... www.myspace.com/charlieomusic Grassroots

3rd August 2005	#6
Fredrik Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,228	I think it can be a good idea to "pre mix" sounds in the production, just to get closer to what you know you want to achive. Then the mixing process is more about balance and minor tweaks. But you have to know what you are doing (as always I suppose).

4th August 2005	#8
kennyd03 Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 252	1. I bring back my MIDI virtually most of the time. For the final mix, I'll dump the MIDI tracks into my DAW. 2. I've always delivered my beats as a multi-track DAW session, on 2" tape, or back in the old days, ADATs. Good luck! -KD03

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