thebrig

Karaoke-Version is a great place to get backing tracks, in fact only this week I purchased seven songs to mess around with, for example, I put the drums and vocals into my daw so me and the guitarist from our band can fill in the rest, we are a one guitar band so its great tool for learning new songs, you can even choose to have a count in as well. Each customised backing track is £1.99 and you can download each song indefinitely in loads of different variations.

I've decided to get a decent pair of studio monitors and I'm thinking about getting a pair of KRK Rokit RP5 G3's, any good? I'm also thinking of getting a dedicated thunderbolt interface as well, as I've said before, I'm getting sounds into my daw at the moment using my Zoom R16, and all seems to be ok, but does it have limitations that I'm not aware of, and if I do get a new interface, should I get one with plenty of inputs so I can record multiple tracks at once?

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1475931293' post='3149855'] This chap's FB page might be of interest for getting your head round mixing, especially in LPX. [url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/electramusic/"]https://www.facebook...s/electramusic/[/url] Has a lot of good tips & questions from other members too. Edit - Just realised it's actually a closed group, so you'd need to ask to join. His Youtube channel has a lot of good videos too. [url="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIUtwq6jMFYQj2ASOj95TGw"]https://www.youtube....MFYQj2ASOj95TGw[/url] [/quote]Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, I've just had a quick look at his Logic Pro beginners tutorial video, it looks like its just what I need, I've just downloaded it so I can watch on my TV and follow what he's doing in Logic on my laptop at the same time.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1475917984' post='3149696'] Logic's pretty easy to use. It's similar to Reaper, but a lot easier to set up. First thing to do with Logic is open a project (new one) & click "File > Save As" & change "Organise my project as a" from package to folder. This way when you record, every thing will be put into folders within the song folder (like audio files, making them easier to locate). [/quote]Thanks, I will do this with every new project.

[quote name='the boy' timestamp='1475883560' post='3149580'] That's not the best way to go about. I've found the easiest way to learn is to start messing around. Once you hit a problem... then you go to YouTube etc and find a solution. If you are as bad as me you'll find you are on YouTube more than the daw but soon you acquire a set of skills and really start to get something from it. Good luck. [/quote]I know what you mean, its so easy to spend all day just searching and watching videos without actually putting any work into what you are trying to learn. I've called myself a complete beginner because I don't have any knowledge of mixing etc, but I have worked out how to set up my interface and assign tracks etc, and I know how to record various instruments, I've miced up a whole drum kit, I've also recorded the whole band by micing everything up, but that's where it stops, I end up with seven or eight individual tracks which are all played quite well, in tune, and no mistakes, but I don't know what to do next to make them sound great, I have tried messing around in Reaper and Audacity but they still sound terrible, which is why I have decided to put the time and effort into learning the art of recording properly, with Logic Pro X being my main DAW.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1475880753' post='3149562'] Good to see you here, old bean. I can't help at all with the usage of Logic (I use Reaper on a PC...), but an easy entry into recording/mixing is to just do a bit for a while, just to get your feet into the slippers, so to speak. Do you already have a set of multi-track 'stems' to play around with..? A good start might be a drum kit, one track per instrument. Play the kit in a loop, and Solo the bass drum, for instance, and try out the EQ that you have. Choose a frequency and sweep up and down, listening to the effect on the drum sound. Same for the snare, the toms, hi-hat... you get the picture. Add a bass guitar, same exercise. Use a compression fx, and play around, firstly with its presets, then by tweaking the Attack, Threshold etc yourself, listen to what happens. Solo the bass drum and the bass, together, and try to find a 'sweet spot', where they sound best together, both in volume terms and in 'sonic space'. See what happens if you separate them slightly by 'panning'. Try 'hard panning'; does it sound good or not..? Two or three evenings messing around in this way will bring to the fore the keyboard shortcuts that'll make life easier, and make you hunt around (at first...) for the basic tools you'll be using mostly in the future. Read the manual, do things slowly and deliberately, so that the Good Habits get a chance to develop. Use either your own band's material, or any set of stems you can find. Another, more general, piece of advice... Keep your monitoring levels low. Use a headset for just messing about, but beware of Soloing an instrument which comes through at full blast. Force yourself to 'listen', rather than 'hear'. Once you're happy with something, then switch to monitors and listen again. When happy with that (there may be some retouching to do...), then turn up to a more 'normal' listening level. One last thing... When mixing stuff in stereo, use Mono to get the balance right between the instruments, then separate 'em with stereo. A Mono mix will give a better judgement of the total mix, in general. Does this help..? [/quote]Thanks Dad, I will take all your advice on board, I know it will be a long hard process to get anywhere near good enough to produce a decent enough mix for mastering, but I'm determined to give it a go.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1475789023' post='3148860'] What..? Are you still here..? Get yourself over to the Recording section immediately..! ([i]Non, mais..! Quelle toupée..! Harrumph..![/i]) [/quote]I've now gone to the land of the recording maestros!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1475874707' post='3149511'] Get a good large external hard drive for your audio files. Probably Thunderbolt for your Mac (or FireWire) but definitely not USB. [/quote]I have a couple of very large USB external hard drives, I got them mainly for video storage, but the thought did cross my mind that I could use one of them for music production as well., so what are the benefits of using Thunderbolt? BTW, thanks for the advice, I do appreciate it, and I would rather start off with the right equipment than splash the cash on gear that isn't really suitable.

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1475865418' post='3149414'] Wow , if you've got that lot and know how to get the sounds on to a DAW , I reckon you've cracked it It took me months to get that far with just an interface and Reaper I am sure if you ask specifics you'll get answers but as I recall you tube have a fantastic array of tutorials to get you past those sticky moments when you just want to throw the lot in the nearest skip and crack open that bottle to cry into [/quote]I've downloaded a lot of Logic tutorials from YouTube and I'm working my way through them slowly, the problem is I don't absorb information very easily these days.

Under Dad's orders, I have finally plucked up the courage to post on the Recording forum, so please be gentle with me. To put you all in the picture, I am totally new to recording, I know how to get instruments/sounds into a DAW but thats about it, I have no idea how to mix etc, half the time I can't even find where things are, and when I do, I don't really know how they work or how to apply them. I'm not looking to become an engineer or producer, but I do want to learn enough to be able to have some fun at home making music, and also be able to record my own band occasionally so we can add music content to our website and Facebook page, and maybe make a few demo CD's for anybody who asks for them, and surprisingly, we do get asked quite a lot. I've listed below what gear I have at the moment, until now I have messed around with Reaper but I've just splashed out and purchased Logic Pro X, and that's the DAW I want to get to know properly, I use my Zoom R16 as an interface, I bought it originally to use as a stand alone recorder because it allows me mic up the whole band individually with it's eight inputs, but one day I tried it as an interface, and it worked brilliantly without any problems, and because it is so simple to use, I will stick with it for now, unless anyone can tell me why I should think about getting something that will give me better results, all advice is welcome. Can I use my hi-fi by running it through my Yamaha amp, and then into my Tannoy speakers which are stand-mounted, or should I purchase some dedicated studio monitors? my hi-fi is made up of high quality separates. [i][u]Computer:[/u][/i] [color=#282828][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display[/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]2.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7[/font][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz[/font][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]16GB 1600MHz memory[/font][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]512GB PCIe-based flash storage[/font][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Intel Iris Pro Graphics AMD Radeon R9 M370X with 2GB GDDR5 memory[/font][/font][/color] [i][u][color=#333333][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Interfaces:[/font][/font][/color][/u][/i] [b][color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Zoom R16 Digital Recorder, USB Audio Interface and DAW Controller[/font][/color][/b] [color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]8 Mic inputs/2 Outputs (8 x 2)[/font][/color] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#333333]8 balanced combination XLR 1/4" inputs[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#333333]High-definition 24-bit/ 96kHz recording capability using digital audio software[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#333333]Built-in effects on R16 can be used as outboard effects as well[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#333333]1 Hi-Z input for direct connection of guitar or bass[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#333333]48V phantom power on 2 channels[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b][color=#333333]Alesis IO4 Channel USB Audio Interface[/color][/b][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Four-channel computer audio-recording interface[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Record up to 24-bit, 48 kHz audio into virtually any software[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Monitor sessions with balanced studio monitor and headphone outputs[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Inputs for microphones with 48V phantom power, line-level sources, and instruments including guitars[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Tricolor stereo level meter and lighted status indicators for visual monitoring[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]MIDI Input and Output jacks for playing and controlling software with instruments[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Mac and PC compatible[/font][/size] [u][i]Software:[/i][/u] Logic Pro X Reaper Audacity [i][u]Headphones:[/u][/i] Sennheiser HD 595 Headphones

Thanks everybody for the advice you have given me so far, and please keep it coming in, I'm getting more and more excited about getting into this. I officially retire next month, although I took early retirement a few years ago for health reasons, so I know its going to be difficult for someone of my age to learn something so complex as recording music. I have all I need to get started, Logic Pro X, and a decent computer, I'm not expecting miracles but I will work hard and see where it takes me, I know that I only have to ask, and I will get plenty of sound advice from you guys here on BC. I suppose I should start posting on the Recording forum, but I'm a bit nervous being such a newbie to the art.

[quote name='Jow Bass' timestamp='1475778978' post='3148751'] Hi, yes the nut is 42mm. I know what you mean about the Jazz nut. I had a Fender Jap 75 reissue for years and the neck was sweet. Cheers, Jow [/quote]Hi Jow Maybe a nice sweet jazz-size neck sometime in the future?

If it is stolen, it would seem strange that he didn't want to post it, and invited people round to his house to try it first, plus he has his great big mugshot in one of the pics. And he didn't set an asking price, he put a reserve on it which was not reached, so he withdrew it, all pretty common practise really.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1475759520' post='3148527'] Don't listen to those siren calls..! That way, madness lies. How do I know this..? Don't ask..! On a more positive note (maybe..?), be aware, if not already, that one's hearing in later years is seldom as pristine as early youth, and much worse than one would hope for. This makes music production and mixing especially difficult. Is there hope..? Yes, but some self-criticism becomes rather important. My trick (for what it's worth...) is to compare my stuff with other, commercial, renderings, to judge (badly...) whether I've got too much bass or treble in there. After a long career in drumming, and rock generally, plus advancing years, my ears are, to use a technical term, 'shot'. I therefore am basically mixing 'blind' most of the time. I'll make an adjustment of, say, 6db, so that I hear the difference, then apply half of that. My general 'rule of thumb' is that, if I can hear it, it's too much. It can be frustrating at times, so I very seldom go in for 'micro-management', and trust my first instincts rather better than long hours of listening to inaudible (to me...) details. Broad stroke of the brush, in other words. I'm also spoilt, in that my tastes are rather 'old-school', even classical, and I'm not at all at ease with modern EDM (it took me a while to know what that even stands for...). Trombones; now there's an instrument I can hear and deal with. None of this oscilloscope whistling or arp synth sweeps for me (well, all right; just a little, then...). No 'big beat' thump thump thump either. Timpani, that's the stuff, or, at least, a rock beat.Pshaw..! The joys of becoming 'senior' is that I can be grumpy and folks find it normal. No, best, after all, to see about crossword puzzles, or whittling, putting ships into bottles or growing dahlias. S'not for the old, this malarkey. How do I know this..? Don't ask... ([i]Now then, where's my Digestives..? I had a packet, there were some left. Darn it..! On the table, so I'll have to leave my armchair..! Nurse..! Nurse..?[/i] ...) [/quote][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#282828]EDM (it took me a while to know what that even stands for...),[/color][/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#282828]I would have thought that the least you could do for an OAP who is about to embark on a long journey into learning how to use DAWS properly, and eventually (hopefully) go on to mixing and mastering, is to let [u]me[/u] know what took [u]you[/u] a while to know, so wtf [u]does[/u] EDM stands for! [/color][/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#282828]Seriously though, I take on board all that you say, and have to admit that my ears are shot as well, and I realise the need to compensate for it if I can.[/color][/font] [color=#282828][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]I know it's not going to be easy, and I will be starting from the very beginning, but at least I think I have the equipment to record the instruments into Logic Pro X, and I hope that my MacBook Pro will be up to the task, it's specs are,15" Retina Display, [/font][/color][color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]2.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz, 16GB 1600MHz memory, 512GB PCIe-based flash storage[/font][/color][sup]1, [/sup][color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Intel Iris Pro Graphics AMD Radeon R9 M370X with 2GB GDDR5 memory.[/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif] [/font][/color][color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]I have to admit that I don't grasp things as easily as I used to, so it will take time, but like I said, I now have time to learn even if its at a slow rate. [/font][/color]

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1475751872' post='3148424'] I haven't used these guys myself... but they seem to have a consistently good reputation based on what 'research' I've gleaned from reading feedback on other forums: [url="http://www.doctormix.com"]http://www.doctormix.com[/url] They've been around for 10+ years and have a solid client list [/quote]Thanks, I just took a look on their site and have already subscribed, I'm impressed by their site, and the prices seem to be ok as well, I think we will definitely check them out when the time comes. I know virtually nothing about about recording, but I have gained fair a bit of knowledge over the last few days because I have been watching quite a few Logic Pro tutorials, and I have the gear to get some reasonable recordings into Logic, but that's where it ends for me, but I'm retired now and have a fair bit of time on my hands, so this could be my new hobby in my "old git" years.

It's early days in the production of a bass I am definitely interested in, so I will follow the progress with a view to buying one in the future. The only thing stopping me getting one now is the colour and the nut width, I love sunburst but I already have four, and now I really fancy going for something surfy, and as I said earlier, the nut looks about precision size to me, and as much as I have tried, I just can't get on with a wider nut.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1475741540' post='3148302'] with the best mastering in the world you can't polish a turd, with our last CD I actually preferred the non mastered version, had more heft edit, not saying yours is a bad recording btw, but we've fallen into that trap before [/quote]Don't worry, we'll be sending plenty of turds off to get mastered! seriously though, no offence taken, I know what you are getting at. But in reality, what you are saying could apply to us, our songs will be mixed by a guy who is experienced in mixing although he has never done it professionally, but what should help is he is about the same age as us and he likes and is familiar with the music we play, so at least he will know what we are looking for in the final mix, and although we are all decent musicians, we are really just a gigging band, not a recording band, as I pointed out earlier, these recordings are for our own satisfaction, and to hand out to family, friends, and venues as demos.

Thanks for all the recommendations so far, we will check them all out before making a decision.

[quote name='progben' timestamp='1475668842' post='3147750'] I'd recommend David Mitson. He's worked with a lot of big names including Michael Jackson, Santana, Alice in Chains etc. Charges us £60 for a 4 track EP [/quote]I see that you are just up the road from me in Stourbridge, is David local? because it would be nice to be able to have some [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]input during the process[/font][/color] if possible.

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1475690496' post='3148035'] I've used Pete, he is sound. A genuinely nice guy that offers great rates for unsigned bands. Have used him a few times and it's always great. [/quote]That's good to know, thanks.

[quote name='Jow Bass' timestamp='1475674899' post='3147835'] Thanks for the shout out Karl. I'm waiting for the supplier to get back to me regarding the sea foam green. I would appreciate anymore ideas anyone as on different colour schemes for my next order. [/quote]Hi Jow, I love the look/shape of the bass, but I have far too many sunbursts, if you could do it in a surf colour with a 38mm nut, I would buy it now! What is the nut width? I might be wrong, but looking at the video, the nut looks like it could be about 42mm, which unfortunately would be a deal breaker for me, no matter how much I try, I just can't get on with a wider nut, I have eight precisions and I have put jazz necks on all of the ones I play and gig regularly.

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1475666997' post='3147727'] wow £28 a song from someone with a client list like that? I'd bite their arm off! [/quote]We probably will bite their arm off! To be honest, it's a fun project for us, so to have someone with that CV master our efforts, for just £28 is a real bonus.

Our band is thinking about recording a song or two sometime soon, nothing major, it's just something we want to do for our own benefits, and also to hand out to family and friends who are always asking if we have any records or CD's they can have, or even buy. It's still a little way off at the moment, but we are starting to look for somewhere to get them mastered, and quite honestly, we haven't got a clue where to go, or how much it might cost. Having just read Skol303's thread on having his song mastered at Abbey Road, I realise that I'm probably a bit naive, because I would have thought that £90 + VAT to have a song mastered at Abbey Road Studios is a reasonable price, but as BigRedX said, how much of that price is because of the name? and thinking about it, he is probably right to ask the question. I have found one place that charges £28 per song, and his list of clients include [color=#3A3A3A][font=Arial]U2, The Killers, Jack White, Noel Gallagher, The Rolling Stones and many more, so I [/font][/color]was wondering if anyone on here has used them, and if so, were you happy with the end results? Also, any recommendations for other places to get a song mastered would be welcome and appreciated.

I'm very impressed, and to be honest, it's not really my kind of music, but it really drew me in and I actually listened to it a few times, and it grew on me more and more. Loved the bass by the way. Well done, you got my vote!