Best method for recording a band - a track at a time!

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:54 pm

Egad.. I've done the 'one-man-band' recording thing and it's not a problem (guitar, bass, keyboard, octapad drums). But now I'm trying to do a quick recording on the cheap with 3 other band members.

We tried a tascam UL-122 and it seems to work fine; except I couldn't figure out how to record more than one track at a time! I thought these usb2 devices would at least allow 2 signals to be processed on seperate tracks.. but I couldn't find a way that worked in CubaseLE. THe guitar player who owns it says he's never tried recording more than 1 track at atime.. so I'm not sure if it is even supported.

So that's one problem. The other is the order of recording. I've done multi-track recordings in pro studios and thought I would follow the same stategy:
- record the drum track first with bass, keys, guitars playing along (but all wearing headphones so it doesn't bleed into the drum mics)
- once the best drum take is down, use the full band recording as a guide track. If necessary retrack the bass, rythmn guitar, keys
- additional guitar solos are punched in etc.
- vocals are done over the now 'solid' bedtracks
- cd is mixed/mastered and shipped to the adoring fans on a flatbed truck (okay got carried away,...where was I?)

So.. trying to do this in my basement, one track at a time, is no picnic!
Also.. the performance suffers when 'the band' plays in such a detached segmented process.. SO my question is;
- is it possible for this to work?
- are there any better solutions?
- Is the order of laying down tracks any different than in a studio?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:32 pm

I'm taking a guess here but I think that is just a 2 track device.

Make sure that in Cubase (im guessing again) that both inputs are enabled, (i think it's under Devices/VST Inputs or Multitrack or something like that) then in the individual tracks make sure that each is set to one of the inputs...track 1 = input 1.

To me, your method seem sound. Once you get the recording thing working, then you can work out the best method. Being able to record just 2 tracks at a time makes it a bit rough if you want to split it all up but it can be done.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:42 pm

I assume you mean the Tascam <u>US-122L</u>. The user manual should help you learn how to record two tracks at a time. Note that the two tracks will be Left and Right.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:33 pm

Ya I was wondering about panning one channel left and the other right. I only had time to try assigning the 2 tracks to Input 1 and Input 2, but it didn't work..

I'll try to get hold of the manual. THanks..

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:48 pm

Edit: I really should read before I post. I'm so good at making an ass of myself.

When you create your project, start with an empty template. Insert two new tracks by going to Project/add track/multiple and adjust the number of tracks to two mono tracks. You should be able to record enable these together or separately.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:10 pm

You can click on where I typed "user manual", that will take you right there. Smile

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:17 am

1. Use a clicktrack or use a simple rhythm guide track (2, maybe 3 percussion instruments) to steady the drummer;

2. Use only one musician who is rhythmically the most solid/stable on one scratch/guide instrument track (maybe not even her/his own; e.g. if the bass player may play better a steady rhythm guitar part, let him/her do it i/o the guitarist); the instrument scratch does not have to resemble the final arrangement for that instrument at all - just authoritatively strummed open chords may do the job;

3. Do a scratch vocal too - leave it rough and with all the mistakes in, its only scratch and its purpose is orientation and to sense the build-up for the choruses and other song dynamics;

4. Redo a take, punch in/out etc., only for the drummer - leave the instrument and vocal scratch with mistakes in until the drums are finished; only then get back to these and correct if necessary - i.e. don't wear your drummer out by start-stopping because of mistakes in the instrument/vocal scratch tracks.

5. Then, continue building up the instrument and vocal tracks one by one;

6. Or get everyone in (minus the drummer) for live takes.

cheers, -Buzzgrowl

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:14 am

i think his problem was more on the technical end of things, not the physically how to to layer things in.

just bouncing an idea here... doesn't the "LE" in "Cubase LE" stand for "limited edition"?

perhaps one of the limitations is that only one track can be enabled for recording at a time...not sure, but sounds like something they'd do.

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:09 am

malamikigo wrote:

just bouncing an idea here... doesn't the "LE" in "Cubase LE" stand for "limited edition"?

haha. I wish... Very Happy

It stands for "Light Edition"

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:11 am

haha yea that's what i meant...it's an edition that doesn't have the full features...so maybe you can't record to more than one track at once.

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:52 am

Ahh. "Limited" as in confined and restricted... I see now...

It's because I wasn't wearing my goggles...

Back on topic. I still don't understand what the problem is. Can you record enable both tracks? Do you get signals in both of them? Are they identical?

Answering these questions should sort out whether it's a hardware or software issue, but I think it's just software. Here's a short checklist that should be quite universal:

1) Make sure you have 2 MONO tracks

2) Assign input 1 to the first channel, and input 2 to the second. (might also be labeled as "input 1 - L" and "input 1-R"

3) Arm them

4) Record two very different signals. For simplicity, (if you can) get two mics and speak into one, while tapping the other. This will help clearly differentiate between both tracks to make sure you aren't getting a copy of one in both, or a summed mono input.

5) Report to RO

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:50 pm

Thanks for the inputs - I'll try to adress them in order;

- we tried starting with guitars but it lost the feel. Without a solid drum track my bandmates are not as tight. So I guess I'm stuck with being first off the mark.

-scratch vocals are good

-it seems there are no limitations on the number of tracks you can record simultaneously; based on one forum where some guy claimed he was able to use the max. 48 tracks!

- this what I tried without success (IT just treated them as one track..):
"1) Make sure you have 2 MONO tracks

2) Assign input 1 to the first channel, and input 2 to the second. (might also be labeled as "input 1 - L" and "input 1-R"

Assuming it is a SW problem, I'll take another look at the device setup in the Cubase menu under VST inputs.. it should show the available inputs and they have to be enabled. I read somewhere that they can be hidden if the window is not resized..

Thanks!
I'll let you know if I can get it to work..

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:20 pm

mwacoustic posted a link to the manual and I gave you a breakdown as to how to record two separate tracks. If these methods are not working, you missed something.

The MAX number of simultaneous channels you can record with a US-122 is 4 if you include spdif digital input which would require an external A/D converter. You could use an external mixer and do a sub mix of however many channels the mixer has but you will still be recording to 2 or potentially 4 tracks MAX(Cubase LE supports only 8 simultaneous inputs). Unless you get an interface which has the inputs and supports 48 simultaneous channels (which would likely involve two interfaces linked together) you will be confined to your 4 max.

Regarding Cubase LE. It is as limited in functionality as ProTools LE in comparison to ProTools HD. Which, with consideration of the fact that it's free, really is not that limited. Unless of course you absolutely need to record more than 48 audio tracks and 4 simultaneous inputs. For the average home user, that is plenty.

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:23 pm

Quote:

it seems there are no limitations on the number of tracks you can record simultaneously; based on one forum where some guy claimed he was able to use the max. 48 tracks!

I'd like to read that forum!
"How to get 48 tracks out of a US122", should be an entertaining read.

I swear we've gone over this already in another thread.
The input settings are referenced in Ch.6 ( Pg 17-18 ) of the manual, which MW posted earlier.

Hueseph is on the money (though I don't see any mention of SPDIF with this box).

Here's some important info which backs him up, directly copied from the manual:

The US-122L has two input channels (L,
R), with a MIC IN jack (XLR) and LINE IN
jack (1/4” phone jack) provided for each
channel. Do not connect signals to both
of these analog input jacks at the same
time. If both are connected, the signal
will not be correctly input to the
US-122L.

It's gotta be one heck of a feat getting 48 channels to record simultaneously on a box whose manual directly states the info above!

Cool

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:47 pm

Well I should correct myself. It seems the US 122L does not in fact have SPDIF inputs. So, you are instead stuck with 2 simultaneous inputs.

Sorry for the missinfo.

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