The way I record my tracks..? Answered.
Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:17 pm
I get asked a lot, how I record my backing tracks.
I use a 20 year old Roland U220 with an equally old ALESIS MMT-8 sequencer. I play all the parts into the sequencer/sound module using a weighted full size piano/midi keyboard (ELKA MK76). I have a brand new apple Mac computer with the very latest recording software and huge library of sounds that cost a lot of money BUT none of the sounds are as good as this old Roland. In my opinion, all of Rolands later sound modules lacked in quality of sampled sounds. I am glad I never sold it. NO computers are used in my sequencing, it is all done by ear too. It worked when I bought it so I have never seen the need to replace it. If I feel the need to add acoustic guitar, I will then put the recorded sequence onto 2 x tracks of my recorder, (Apple Logic Pro 8) and just play the acoustic along with the track. I use a Studio Projects C-1 mic for this that does need 48v phantom power like most of this type of Mic does. The only thing I will do is add 5% of 5khz boost to the Acoustic track. This is only to compensate for this mic and its characteristics. If I use the Mic for vocals, the same EQ is added on the Mic channel. I done weeks of research on microphones before buying this budget studio Mic. It DOES perform like a £1500 mic and only costs around £200. The whole idea is to keep it sounding natural and I think leaving out quantization on the midi tracks (ie. the Roland sequence), its flows naturally. I DO quantize the drums though as it is very difficult to play drums on a weighted keyboard and get it close to a real drummer. Very occasionally, I will also quantize the bass. NEVER do I quantize piano, It must be left natural and any other part of the sequence after that. The ONLY sound that I have never liked much on the Roland is the FIDDLE though. In fact, I have never heard a good sampled Fiddle in all the time I have been recording. I try not to use them too much, but with walking bass songs like Crazy Arms, its nice to have the twin fiddles kick the song in, and other songs like it.
Please feel free to share this info with anyone who you wish.. I will direct further enquiries about my, 'very old', recording techniques to this thread too. At the end of the day, we all like to play to tracks but playing with good musicians is the best way, but recording them is a different story. You then need a lot of equipment, isolation booths and most of all , patience.
Regards to you all.
David Hartley
I use a 20 year old Roland U220 with an equally old ALESIS MMT-8 sequencer. I play all the parts into the sequencer/sound module using a weighted full size piano/midi keyboard (ELKA MK76). I have a brand new apple Mac computer with the very latest recording software and huge library of sounds that cost a lot of money BUT none of the sounds are as good as this old Roland. In my opinion, all of Rolands later sound modules lacked in quality of sampled sounds. I am glad I never sold it. NO computers are used in my sequencing, it is all done by ear too. It worked when I bought it so I have never seen the need to replace it. If I feel the need to add acoustic guitar, I will then put the recorded sequence onto 2 x tracks of my recorder, (Apple Logic Pro 8) and just play the acoustic along with the track. I use a Studio Projects C-1 mic for this that does need 48v phantom power like most of this type of Mic does. The only thing I will do is add 5% of 5khz boost to the Acoustic track. This is only to compensate for this mic and its characteristics. If I use the Mic for vocals, the same EQ is added on the Mic channel. I done weeks of research on microphones before buying this budget studio Mic. It DOES perform like a £1500 mic and only costs around £200. The whole idea is to keep it sounding natural and I think leaving out quantization on the midi tracks (ie. the Roland sequence), its flows naturally. I DO quantize the drums though as it is very difficult to play drums on a weighted keyboard and get it close to a real drummer. Very occasionally, I will also quantize the bass. NEVER do I quantize piano, It must be left natural and any other part of the sequence after that. The ONLY sound that I have never liked much on the Roland is the FIDDLE though. In fact, I have never heard a good sampled Fiddle in all the time I have been recording. I try not to use them too much, but with walking bass songs like Crazy Arms, its nice to have the twin fiddles kick the song in, and other songs like it.
Please feel free to share this info with anyone who you wish.. I will direct further enquiries about my, 'very old', recording techniques to this thread too. At the end of the day, we all like to play to tracks but playing with good musicians is the best way, but recording them is a different story. You then need a lot of equipment, isolation booths and most of all , patience.
Regards to you all.
David Hartley
Re: The way I record my tracks..? Answered.
Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:35 pm
Very informative Dave, and have to say, the results are excellent. I guess the only downside is having to use Stannard 
Dont tell him I said that.
thanks for posting.
Dave.
Dont tell him I said that.
thanks for posting.
Dave.
Hi Dave
Fri Jul 09, 2010 3:12 pm
Yes, I am always telling him, 'you're playing was awful John, but at least your tone was bad' 
Re: Hi Dave
Sat Jul 10, 2010 2:18 pm
David Hartley wrote:Yes, I am always telling him, 'you're playing was awful John, but at least your tone was bad'
Yep! I put it down to his dodgy knee, his age, and a little bit of talent.