Donna

Hey John, it's the second - the overall song dynamic lifts, preserving the lift and first wanting to know how to maximize this during recording stage. So...this would be an instance for using more than usual compression at the recording stage? I'm trying to recall that principle, but I thought compression (like eq) should be used minimally during recording stgage. Is there anything else which would preserve both soft and loud sections at the recording stage? Obviously the challenge is to record the soft parts at a hot enough level, with the loud not too hot. Is the bottom line to not overpeak the dynamic lift? I'd read someplace that the order in which signal is recorded should be followed in adjusting levels. IIRC, that order is the instrument (rarely applicable in my case), the trim, then individual track faders, and finally master faders. Thus...for initial recording stage, would I want the trim (or 1st point "entry" for signal) adjusted for not peaking out the dynamic lift? Is there a way to fool with individual track fader levels during recording so I will have more leeway riding the master faders upon mixdown? Now am I making any sense or have I lost you? Donna

Hey all, Wondering what the rule of thumb is when recording a song which has alternating sections of soft and loud. I don't mean the normal swell of dynamics as a song climaxes, but abrupt changes in dynamics. Thanks for any light on this.

Then I had been lied to! OK

woo-hoo! Cheers and beers!

The orchestra tuning up beginning with the oboe is a scared rite unto itself. Anyone who dared interfere would find the floor collapsed out from under them and a great drop to an hellish chamber where bad rock players must learn to play their instruments with german bows. The strings they're forced to wind on their axes are from pianos. The Lunatic Dreyfuss leads the lessons with his knight's glove armor (with the sharp metalic fingers). He scratches out perpetual lessons and commentary on the chalkboard.

They're so confident it don't matter!

Watcha mean? (re: leads - also is it pronounced 'leeds' or 'leds'?) John will it make a difference using mono cables to stereo jack splitter? hey man thanks. edit: or do ya mean the actual gold connector tip comes off??? It's like learning to knit over the phone ain't it?

Hey all. Been looking at some picking exercizes...which define: v as downstroke (downpick?) ^ as up-pick But what does this mean (it's upside down): i_i (and has not dots). Appreciato!

Mon Capitan! "Allows two mono 1/4in. (6.35mm) plugs to be connected to a stereo 1/4in. socket, one to the left channel and one to the right channel. " Yes - that's what they had at the store, sans the description. The RS employee (not a musician!) didn't know what he was talking about. Well, I don't feel *overly* stupid. I'll just buy that thing and cable, too, from the guy who sold me one green pick!

Woo-hoo. Hmm. I can see the value of being able to "see" the eq... John, can I ask you something regarding the splitter jack? I went to get one and the Radio Shack guy pointed me to cables they had, saying I should get stereo cable (which have two embeddedd rings below tip, not one, for anyone reading this who's ignorant like me). I've never heard of this or used one to my knowledge, either with the 4-track, old keyboard, or going guitar to amp. Why would he say that, and would it make a difference using regular guitar cables w/ the splitter jack? (The jack is 1/4 inch, stereo). I've never heard of this before from any musician, nor saw it in the tascam manual as regards regular recording. Thanks...

John - in diagram 2...is the gain reduction amt "set by the gain pot for that EQ band"...would that number be 4.1, corresponding to the number 4 highlighted on that vertical panel of eq "types" one can choose from?

Prometheus, I'd be honored. (*off to look at eq graphs*) shelving/wallpaper/new dinner plates; no, no - SHELVING/EQ/SWEEPABLE/BEER/CALM-DOWN TEA cheers, y'all!

Mixing Engineers Bible...yeah, the "MEB". I'd buy it! Since Christmas...it seemed like stuff was all mapped out, but have had to take many detours since. Now it's like I can't find the map. Well, let's have a drink, huh? Beer for you, calm-down tea for me

Prometheus, yes, it's understandable...once again. You and John could open a school, I think. Thanks for the pictures and tutorial. I agree, mixing is def. an art within itself. John - I'm rushing, but will look at those articles! Yes, I have a sweepable eq. I wouldn't have known the top pic of the roll off wasn't in the 'sweepable' category. btw, I rehearse the mixes, too. My only problem is not digging into this art deeply as I wish to - one can't do everything, tho. JB - yeah, the 246 can do what you said. Got yo' message about Nuke 2 and could only get the low-fi to play. I like it a lot - those strings! Great choice/execution for youur revised mix.

Prometheus, yes, it's understandable...once again. You and John could open a school, I think. Thanks for the pictures and tutorial. I agree, mixing is def. an art within itself. John - I'm rushing, but will look at those articles! Yes, I have a sweepable eq. I wouldn't have known the top pic of the roll off wasn't in the 'sweepable' category. btw, I rehearse the mixes, too. My only problem is not digging into this art deeply as I wish to - one can't do everything, tho. JB - yeah, the 246 can do what you said. Got yo' message about Nuke 2 and could only get the low-fi to play. I like it a lot - those strings! Great choice/execution for youur revised mix.

Prometheus, right on time! Boy, it's good to see you and with just the answer I needed (to a question I hadn't yet asked) about rolling the lows and all as regards separation for a many parts mix. Just to be sure: to roll off means to "up" the htz tier, NOT the gain? John: Scared is my middle name right now Keep saying "don't be"... Hey Prometheus, how about songplanet for your stuff?

Yeah, I understand - and the spikes have already happened with just the keyboard lines alone. I think there's someone who may be able to man the desk, now that I think of it... OK, splitter jacks (sounds like something to chop wood with) - thanks! I do have AKG headphones which need repair. Lotta stuff. Thanks a lot, John!! Cheers

Hey, Will someone tell me how to ascribe a quote to a certain person? Someone did explain, but I didn't get it. Mine look like this: as opposed to this: Newly yours still, Donna

Hey John, That's a good suggestion about using inputs 5 & 6 for drums. The keyboard has one 1/4 inch output...would it work then to have a Y cord so both 1 and 2 inputs can play or record at same time? There is also an issue with input one being non-functional, but I guess I could use input five instead. Also, it's always been an issue, getting eq levels for recording drums. Do you think it's worth it to move the whole set up (either four track or drum kit) to another room for this purpose? Hm, then I'd only need to grow 40 ft long arms! I guess some neighbor can hit the skins while I eq, if I go this route. Donna

Thanks John! Cheers! Donna

Steve wrote: Sometimes less is more! By using the keyboard as an input for strings, you should only need a few notes! If you start using the PC, you can record the keyboard as a midi stream. This will enable you to go in and edit every single note if you so wish. Thats how I use the keyboard! I can hardly string 3 notes together as a piano piece but it hasn't stopped me doing things like THIS. You don't need a powerful computer to do this, I used to use my old Amiga for midi, and then record to my four track. If you need some help? There are plenty of willing people on these boards! Yeah, I agree in less can be more. The strings are flourishes so far, except at song's end and the organ about the same. Hardly worth their own track - but that's the deal. Actually, the way you lay out recording the keyboard as a midi stream sounds relaxing and doable! I will def. keep this on a burner in the mind. Thanks for the keyboard example - I get it. Hmm, Mr. Bowen isn't the only one classically influenced here. I think half of it is the range of choices. Begin feeling like a quilter (those women are crazy!). It makes one want a manager at times...

I am going to print this, John. I really appreciate it. Just to be sure, the above scenario would ultimately have: *piano, organ, strings, guitar (track 3) * drums, bass (track 4) I would then need a 1/4 inch "Y" cord from the keyboard to inputs 1 and 2 - and record the drums with two mics (for inputs 3 and 4). To use "input 3 and 4 panning to place the bass and guitar in the stereo field" do you mean dead center or 10/2 o'clock panning? Did you on purpose put the higher k things (keys) and lower things (bass drums) together? The metronome is a BAD scene but I'm willing to try again since I vowed to be docile. Both keyboard and guitar are sick and may need hospitalization, been feeling like the legion of doom...so this is meat to sink my mind into meanwhile and I can practice parts w/ spare kiddie instruments on hand or just drums and vox.

Steve, I know, I'm avoiding the PC "for now" for good reason, tho. But maybe it'd be less of a headache than everything else is and I am deceiving myself! I thought it must have both strings and organ cause I (blank) as a keyboardist, lol. But I'll think on that, too.

ATom, you are right. Nick, thanks for the link. This part I get...maybe if anyone would tell me how they would mix normally...do people prefer all the same instrument on one track (a "keyboard track", eg), or what? I guess answering the original question might be difficult if one has enough tracks to record each part. PS: It is enough for me to have a conversation about this, even if what people post regards their (more tracks than mine) situation. Somehow frees up the brain to figure it out from here...

Hey all, Please give me opinions on how you might record/bounce tracks of the following: piano organ strings bass guitar drums voice voice Is that 8? And a possible 3rd voice (9 parts). OR a possible 2nd guitar. The first four "could" be done via one track, on the stored-notes keyboard thing. If anyone has patience, please say why you'd do it what way you think best, you cannot give too much info (ie "I think all music should be on 2 tracks - 2 tracks with the same 6 parts, so you can pan" blah blah blah). I welcome divergent opinions. I'm having a time planning this out. That is, it's taking much longer than anticipated and the way I'm finding answers so far is what NOT to do thru having been proved a certain way miserable. Therefore, I'm going to be obedient and listen. Just shut me up and get me working. With sincere thanks...