So we should what? listen? I'd be happier listening to something you put work into as opposed to something you are telling me you gave little to no effort in.

Quick answer - noise rock - something that would be on a Sonic Youth album. As for mix -- this is a garage tape so it's never about the mix. Come back when you got something you are proud of and want real advice.

Eddy90, post: 436254, member: 49744 wrote: Nothing I put a lot into.

Well, it certainly does sound exactly like what you described.

No, the mixing is not okay, and no, the performances aren't good either. There are so many things that are wrong about this, I don't even know where to begin, and that I won't even bother to go into detail; and I'm gonna give it just as much attention as the time you put into it.

DogsoverLava, post: 436302, member: 48175 wrote: Come back when you got something you are proud of and want real advice.

Take DOL's advice, come back when you have something you're proud of, and we'll be glad to critique.

Well... The drum sounds ok, but I bet it's a Vsti.
The rest of the instruments don't sound natural. The melodic guitar sounds like going out of a guitar pedal directly to the audio interface without any cab or cab emulation.
very irritating..
The rest of the instruments are lost in mud.
Sorry Eddy, if you want further help, explain every recording step to get advice on how to get them up a level.

Thanks for sharing tho.. takes some courage ;)

The drums I made in ableton live inpulse because Idk how to play them myself and don't have a set to learn. I have a focusrite scarlett solo so I dont have all the inputs to mic each drum piece seperate for someone else to play them. The melodic guitar was distorted by an amp I plugged into my interface so idk why it sounds that way. The amp has different sound effects on it as its a guitar digital entertainment center. I never claimed to perform real well on any instrument. I just tried to get something together as a sort of practice run. Mainly to try and figure out how to mix well before I sit down and really try at something. I was jus wondering if my instruments was all crowding in together and maybe what to do about it. I use ableton live lite.

Recording an amp direct with distortion always sounds weird because a big part of the sound we know and like come from the movement of the speaker.
You would have a greater result if using a mic in front of the cab. The most common and affordable mic that every studio has (even the pro ones) is the Shure SM57.
It's a proffessionnal mic Under 100$ that you could keep and use for life. This might not be the best mic for all instruments and situation, but one that people rarely regret they bought.

Other than that, this direct recording could be threated with an amp simulation software. Many exists, Amplitube (I think they have a free version) Guitar rig etc..
You could add this amp sim in your effect bin and simulate the speaker, mic and room...

Awesome. Thank you. :) I didn't know that plugging an amp directly in made it sound dumb. I will keep that in mind. I want a mic, the only thing thats bad is the only place I have to record is in my room and there is usually a tv goin in the next room so I'm not sure if it'd pick that up. The walls are pretty thin. That's why I was trying to do it direct.

Eddy90, post: 436344, member: 49744 wrote: Awesome. Thank you. :) I didn't know that plugging an amp directly in made it sound dumb. I will keep that in mind. I want a mic, the only thing thats bad is the only place I have to record is in my room and there is usually a tv goin in the next room so I'm not sure if it'd pick that up. The walls are pretty thin. That's why I was trying to do it direct.

That's why amp simulators exist.. hardware or software, they will help you get the job done. Once you're alone at home, that would be the time to put up a mic and learn to actually record something ! ;)

I'll have to look into getting a mic after I pay for my bass I jus got.

Eddy90, post: 436344, member: 49744 wrote: Awesome. Thank you. :) I didn't know that plugging an amp directly in made it sound dumb. I will keep that in mind. I want a mic, the only thing thats bad is the only place I have to record is in my room and there is usually a tv goin in the next room so I'm not sure if it'd pick that up. The walls are pretty thin. That's why I was trying to do it direct.

Unfortunately, if there is sound that you can hear going on in another room, then a mic is also going to pick that up; although the type of mic you use will determine how much of that other noise it will pick up.

For the least amount of external noise pickup, my recommendation for you is either a Shure SM57 or SM 58; they are both very, very similar.
Both are dynamic mics, very directional, and would provide you with the greatest amount of rejection from noise/sound interference away from the source you are miking. That's not to say you still won't pick up some of that external stuff going on, but dynamic mics will offer you the greatest amount of rejection of those interfering external sounds.

They are also very affordable ( as mics go), and either would be a great mic that can be used for a multitude of uses - vocals, snare, toms, amps ( both guitar and bass), horns, even on a kick drum - Both have become studio standards as far as dynamic mics go, because they both sound so good on so many sources. You can pick up a new 57 for around $89, a 58 for around $100; both are built like a tank, and will last you a lifetime. I'm using an SM57 that I bought new in 1978; and I'm still using it for both gigs and recording.

I won't bother to tell you my lawn mower story involving my 57... if you want you can look it up here on RO... but take my word for it... either one would be a great mic to have.

FWIW

d.

LOL LOL LOL What a mistake he made.LOL LOL

Sounds like something out a horror movie.

I've been discussing with Eddy in private. He seems to have a real interest in learning how to record and mix as a hobby.
Since he's just starting off, I suggested to post one instrument at the time so we get the chance to direct him to a better track by track sound.

Mike Caliri, post: 436371, member: 49529 wrote: Sounds like something out a horror movie.

Okay... one last time.... because I've told this story several times here already...

I bought a 57 in 1978, brand new. Used it for years and years. Back in the mid 90's, I'd come home from a gig late one night, it was cold and snowing like crazy, and, like many musicians of my generation, I used a milk crate to store cables and mics.
The mic fell out of the crate without me knowing it at the time, and was buried beneath a foot of snow, most of which didn't melt until spring. I looked for the mic at my next gig, couldn't find it, and figured I'd left it at a gig somewhere, knowing it was gone.

I used a spare 58 I had for the rest of that season.

One spring day, after my grass had grown quite a bit, I decided it was time for a mow. You can see where this is going, right?? Right?

I ran over the 57 with the mower. I heard a gigantic CLUNK, and thought maybe I'd run over a rock or something. I looked under the mower, and there she was... the 57 that I'd dropped in the snow almost three months previous.
It was scratched up, the blades had dented it a bit here and there. I went into the house, thinking,"no way, this will never work.." I plugged it in, and not only did it work, it sounded just as good as it always did.

So, the 14 year old 57 spent the better part of a winter under snow and melting ice, (lots of water), was then hit by a lawn mower ... and still worked just fine.

And that's my story of the lawnmower and the 57... and the last time I'm gonna tell it. ;)

At least give the poor guy some credit for having the courage to post to this forum, after all it is a problem based learning forum and the OP has asked for help and advice.

After all, we were all starting out once and have all been in the same boat, thats' how you get to where you are.

Sure, something maybe a little more structured and with a little more thought and effort would have been better to post, but lets not take the mickey out of the poor bloke.

I'd like to see the OP post something that he really put a lot of effort into, in regards to composition, recording and mixing wise, then we can give him some advice to help him improve, while not being critical of his efforts.

After all, thats what we are all here for. :)

- Just my 0.02 cents

DonnyThompson, post: 436373, member: 46114 wrote: Okay... one last time.... because I've told this story several times here already...

I bought a 57 in 1978, brand new. Used it for years and years. Back in the mid 90's, I'd come home from a gig late one night, it was cold and snowing like crazy, and, like many musicians of my generation, I used a milk crate to store cables and mics.
The mic fell out of the crate without me knowing it at the time, and was buried beneath a foot of snow, most of which didn't melt until spring. I looked for the mic at my next gig, couldn't find it, and figured I'd left it at a gig somewhere, knowing it was gone.

I used a spare 58 I had for the rest of that season.

One spring day, after my grass had grown quite a bit, I decided it was time for a mow. You can see where this is going, right?? Right?

I ran over the 57 with the mower. I heard a gigantic CLUNK, and thought maybe I'd run over a rock or something. I looked under the mower, and there she was... the 57 that I'd dropped in the snow almost three months previous.
It was scratched up, the blades had dented it a bit here and there. I went into the house, thinking,"no way, this will never work.." I plugged it in, and not only did it work, it sounded just as good as it always did.

So, the 14 year old 57 spent the better part of a winter under snow and melting ice, (lots of water), was then hit by a lawn mower ... and still worked just fine.

And that's my story of the lawnmower and the 57... and the last time I'm gonna tell it. ;)

I don't think I could ever tire of hearing that story Donny, it makes me chuckle just to think about it.

I hope its not the last time we hear it.

I still think its the best advertisement for an SM-57 Iv'e ever heard.

pcrecord, post: 436372, member: 46460 wrote: I've been discussing with Eddy in private. He seems to have a real interest in learning how to record and mix as a hobby.
Since he's just starting off, I suggested to post one instrument at the time so we get the chance to direct him to a better track by track sound.

Good on you Marco (y)

You don't get sympathy here,you get the truth.

Mike Caliri, post: 436377, member: 49529 wrote: You don't get sympathy here,you get the truth.

Its not about sympathy, its about being fair to the guy.

No-one gave you a hard time when you came onto the forum, Mike. People were happy to help you with advice, at least offer him the same courtesy.

Give the guy a break...it is a problem based learning forum.

Perhaps I was a bit tough on him - I guess the thing that set me off, was that he admitted that he hadn't put any thought or time into it, so I gave it the same attention. People will generally only take you as seriously as you take yourself, especially here on RO where we have passionate, dedicated engineers who have committed their lives to all things audio...

So it's not exactly the best place to post something that you have self admittedly claimed as "just thrown together" or that you "spent little time on"...

But, Sean is right, I digress, RO is a Problem Based Learning forum. I'd like to hear what the OP can do when he puts his mind and dedication to something that he hasn't just "thrown together".

FWIW

I agree, with a little bit of advice to steer him down the right path the OP may just be able to improve the process and post something good.

I'd like to see that. Thats' why we are all here, to share and further our knowledge.

Mike Caliri, post: 436377, member: 49529 wrote: You don't get sympathy here,you get the truth.

Mike it's true ! Here at RO, we value the truth, honesty and helping each other ! :)
I admit, it was a bit clumsy to say about the amout of effort. But if I was recording for the first time, I might have done the same thing.. Posting something not as a good song to be reviewed but just so I could be helped to better record and mix.

Anyway... I will help him, don't bother if you don't feel like doing it ;)

pcrecord, post: 436381, member: 46460 wrote: Anyway... I will help him, don't bother if you don't feel like doing it ;)

I'd be happy to help Eddy any way I can as well Marco.

So Eddy, feel free to PM me, I know we were on another post yesterday trying to sort out your recording chain. Lets get you up and running properly.

Sean G, post: 436378, member: 49362 wrote: Its not about sympathy, its about being fair to the guy.

No-one gave you a hard time when you came onto the forum, Mike. People were happy to help you with advice, at least offer him the same courtesy.

Give the guy a break...it is a problem based learning forum.

I know, sorry kinda mean.I almost got kicked off because of my first post was so bad.

Mike, you don't have to apologise to me.

But you should apologise to the OP, maybe may I suggest by way of personal message to Eddy90

We are all part of the same community here, a community thats' built on respect for one another. That what makes RO what it is.

We are all here to help each other, no matter what level you are at. RO is a free exchange of knowledge, ideas and advice, there are many experts in their field here who are only too happy to help give you the right advice if you ask.

Thats the foundation that this great community is built on.

Mike Caliri, post: 436377, member: 49529 wrote: You don't get sympathy here,you get the truth.

If that's universally true I'll have to say something about your habit of omitting spaces after periods and commas.

DonnyThompson, post: 436379, member: 46114 wrote: Perhaps I was a bit tough on him - I guess the thing that set me off, was that he admitted that he hadn't put any thought or time into it, so I gave it the same attention. People will generally only take you as seriously as you take yourself, especially here on RO where we have passionate, dedicated engineers who have committed their lives to all things audio...

So it's not exactly the best place to post something that you have self admittedly claimed as "just thrown together" or that you "spent little time on"...

But, Sean is right, I digress, RO is a Problem Based Learning forum. I'd like to hear what the OP can do when he puts his mind and dedication to something that he hasn't just "thrown together".

FWIW

I'm glad he wants to learn - but that's what stuck out to me as well. As for the 57 story --- I bet that the mic outlived the lawnmower too.

DogsoverLava, post: 436387, member: 48175 wrote: I bet that the mic outlived the lawnmower too.

Yup. By many years now. Think I've had three mowers since. But still using that 57... ;)

Yep. I didn't mean to sound like I didn't care about music and for my lack of thought in my words I apologize. I just meant that I had just played a little something so that someone could maybe hear what I did wrong with mixing and whatnot and tell me. I should of just not posted until I had something good.

Okay. So... I have been working on these drums. I drew them in on ableton live lite's impulse instrument. The interface I have is a focusrite solo so it isn't possible to mic all the pieces of a real drum set so drawing them in the DAW is my best choice as far as I know right now. This is my basic pattern for the drums. I like how they sound as an idea just not sure if they are good enough yet. I am yet to add reverb or things of the sort but I wasn't sure if that'd be good to do. I am takin pcrecords advice and posting one instrument at a time for evaluation. This beat may not be finished, I am still working on it. I may end up just going to drum samples instead of making my own. I know that'd probably be easier but I sorta enjoy drawing in my own beats in impulse, sorta fun, workin at it to get it right myself. Anyway, a work in progress for sure but I just wanted to see what ya'll thought about the basic beat of it and all. I'll keep workin to make it better and better even after this. I'm going to try and build that same track as I originally posted from the ground up. Well... sort of anyway, maybe with a few tweaks lol. Anyhow.... Heres the drums...

[MEDIA=audio]http://recording.or…

Attached files Test Drums mp3.mp3 (2.5 MB) 

I'd add some reverb to the snare, it sounds a little dry.

Try to make that kick a little beefier too to fatten it up and round it out.

Cymballs sound a little thin, try to add some low-end bass to them with some EQ.

Try to break it up a little by only having the crash cymbal come in every 12 bars as opposed to every 4 or 8.

Well, the very first thing you need to know, Eddy, is that it ALL starts with the quality of your recordings, your original source tracks. If you don't have good sounding, well-recorded tracks/performances to begin with, your mixes will never be any better than the quality of the recorded tracks that you have to work with... it's the old " the chain is only as strong as the weakest link" adage, and in that regard, your audio quality will only ever sound as good as the cheapest sounding piece of gear that you have in your signal path.

This could be a cheap microphone, or a cheap/budget interface/preamp/converter... or even cheap cables that can lend unwanted noise, and in some cases, it can even occasionally be "dirty" power that you have in your home studio, that can cause hum, buzz, clicks and pops...

It really all depends on how serious you want to be about this, and how much ( or little) time you are willing to dedicate to learning the craft. Contrary to popular and current myth, it's not an easy craft to learn. You need a whole lot more than just a computer, a recording program, a mic and an interface. You need knowledge. You need an understanding of how things work, what things do, which tools are what, and when to use which one; and you need to be able to train your ears to hear things in a refined way.... and if you want to get good at the craft, this refining and learning will never stop. You shouldn't ever want to stop learning.

There are veteran engineers here on RO - some of whom have upwards of 40 years experience in audio recording/mixing, who are still learning... myself certainly included.

So, if you just want to have fun, to do this as a hobby, ( and that's fine, there's nothing wrong with that) then don't worry about buying any more gear. Begin to study, research, watch basic-introduction videos on DAW recording; work on your recording skills - things like gain structure, mic technique/placement; for mixing, learn the basics of EQ and Gain Reduction, record your tracks, improve as you can, apply that which you've learned, and have fun.

But ... if you want to get serious about this, if you see this as something you really want to do, and to get really good at, then you're going to need to not only do all of the above, ( a whole LOT of the above)... but at some point, you'll also need to invest quite a bit more money into your recording gear than what you currently have... and I'm not just talking about just a couple hundred dollars more, either.

It really all comes down to what you want to do and what you hope to accomplish.

My personal recommendation to you, at least for now, is that you don't spend any more money than what you already have, ( unless you have a bad cable or something of course) and that you begin to educate yourself on the processes and methods of tracking and mixing. Get a solid foundation in the basics, use what you have now, and then, as you apply what you learn, and as you improve and begin to be able to hear the differences between what you are doing now and what you are doing a year or two from now, expand your gear as your budget allows, and as your requirements and needs determine.

Now... there is a third option... and I'd be remiss if I didn't at least mention it....

Use your DAW for basic demos, to get your ideas down, refine your arrangements as much as possible, write songs, play and record performances that you are proud of, and then, when you want to record your songs for real, go to a pro studio.
Not every musician is meant to be an audio engineer. Hardly any of the artists you probably like and listen to ever engineer their own recordings for release. Artists like Peter Gabriel, or James Taylor, or Sting, or Sarah McLachlan... all have their own home studios, but... they don't engineer their own recordings... they bring in real engineers to handle that for them, so that they can concentrate on writing great songs and making great music...

So, don't discount the very real value of booking time at a real studio, where a pro, skilled engineer can handle all the technical things, and also provide you with the use of top notch gear, while you concentrate on what matters the most... great songs, great performances ... and great music.

It really depends on "what" you want to be... a musician, or an engineer, and which you are more interested in being. Yes, you can be both...there are those of us here on RO who are... but it certainly didn't happen overnight, or in just a few weeks, or months, or even in a few years. It takes time to become good at doing both.

If your goal is to record and release music in the next few years, you should consider this as an option.

This doesn't mean you should stop recording at your home studio. Your home rig can be a priceless tool for you to refine songs, work out performances and arrangements, and, it won't cost you anything to do that on your own rig, other than what you have already invested. Trust me, you certainly don't want to show up to a pro studio unprepared. And, as time passes, and your recordings improve through knowledge and practice, if you get good enough at tracking at home, you can even save those tracks you like to a flash drive, and then take them with you to the studio... and the engineer there can then import those tracks into the time line of the their recording platform, from which you can build on. This is done all the time... but you have to have good sounding tracks to make this work. If you can do this, it will save you time ( and money) as well.

--------------------------------

Finally, we're glad to help you with specific questions or trouble areas ... but you have to do your own leg work, too, Eddy. You have to be the one to put the time in, and to work and study on your own; besides, you will learn and retain the most knowledge that you achieve on your own...

And, without trying to sound insensitive, no one here is going to reply to a post with, "okay.. step one, plug in your mic..."

The bulk of the learning responsibility, and the dedication to that learning has to come from you.... we can't do that for you. ;)

IMO.

-d.

Yea, I jus enjoy music and am doing it for fun. I don't expect to ever get huge or famous. So i'll just learn things myself from now on.