Okay,

do you prefer ITB or OTB mixes?

"so how come if my song is only three minutes it doesn't take just three minutes to record?"

LOL

Man, I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. Just regurgitating one of the most often-asked questions I used to get back when I was in the game. ;)

-d.

Hi, Im new here, and just trying to help where i can. I think its great what you are offering. So let me help move the thread along.

How do you like to compress your distorted guitars?

What do you find is the best method to double-track voice parts?

Where is this guy lol!

I find the best way to double track vocals is to do it in two passes. Trying to do it in a single pass is really hard on the singer. So I think the Tibetan monks are good at it or some other monks? I like to change microphones when I'm double tracking. I like to move the vocalist a different distance away. I might use a peak sensing limiter on one track and an RMS sensing limiter on the other? Maybe not? I don't like it when things get too phasey sounding. So you frequently need a few milliseconds of delay or at least a delay on a VCO growing slowly along.

I really don't know what I'm talking about as I only have 3 major award nominations and only one of those nominations was for a Grammy.
Mx. Remy Ann David

RemyRAD, post: 399379 wrote: I find the best way to double track vocals is to do it in two passes. Trying to do it in a single pass is really hard on the singer. So I think the Tibetan monks are good at it or some other monks? I like to change microphones when I'm double tracking. I like to move the vocalist a different distance away. I might use a peak sensing limiter on one track and an RMS sensing limiter on the other? Maybe not? I don't like it when things get too phasey sounding. So you frequently need a few milliseconds of delay or at least a delay on a VCO growing slowly along.

I really don't know what I'm talking about as I only have 3 major award nominations and only one of those nominations was for a Grammy.
Mx. Remy Ann David

Having a singer who is hip to double tracking helps as well. Knowing when and how to drop the hard vowels at the end of phrases... the "S"'s, the "T's".... all makes the process easier and better sounding.

as for this question...

How do you like to compress your distorted guitars?

Well, I dunno. How do you like to eat spaghetti? Sorry, but that question is as vague as yours was...

fwiw.

-d.

Chief Engineer, post: 399167 wrote: How do you like to compress your distorted guitars?

Well... even though this is on par with asking "how long is a piece of string?", I'll speak in broad sweeping generalities to match the question....

For rhy gtrs, it is often unnecessary to use compression for dynamics control - the distortion already does that for you.... however using compression for tonal shaping/coloration is another matter entirely, and is a matter of personal taste and preference. As well, you have to experiment with it, because it depends entirely on the context of the track in that particular project. There's no "one size fits all" setting.........

For solos, it is often necessary to tame the dynamics - especially on clean parts - but again, there's no way for anyone to give you "settings" - you have to understand the compressor parrameters and tailor them to the specific needs of the track in context of the song.

RemyRAD, post: 399379 wrote: I find the best way to double track vocals is to do it in two passes. Trying to do it in a single pass is really hard on the singer. So I think the Tibetan monks are good at it or some other monks? I like to change microphones when I'm double tracking. I like to move the vocalist a different distance away. I might use a peak sensing limiter on one track and an RMS sensing limiter on the other? Maybe not? I don't like it when things get too phasey sounding. So you frequently need a few milliseconds of delay or at least a delay on a VCO growing slowly along.

I really don't know what I'm talking about as I only have 3 major award nominations and only one of those nominations was for a Grammy.
Mx. Remy Ann David

Choice Remy. This is an awesome technique for double tracking period.

Blue Bear Sound, post: 399401 wrote: Well... even though this is on par with asking "how long is a piece of string?", I'll speak in broad sweeping generalities to match the question....

facepalm

For rhy gtrs, it is often unnecessary to use compression for dynamics control - the distortion already does that for you.

Well, you are half right. There are a few factors why distortion reduces dynamics and passing a signal through a distortion unit is merely a part of it. With the lower tuned guitars of todays music compression is a bigger part of the process than it has ever been.

there's no way for anyone to give you "settings"

I dont *need settings. I use my ears. Are you saying my LA 610s and Manleys are junk? That plugins such as Renaissance Axe are useless?? Good luck trying to convince people of that one. This was one of the most used guitar compressors on the planet among professional audio engineers working ITB. With no settings how could that be possible??

The fact is, from wherever you copy/pasted the "no way for anyone to give you settings" from, there is only one control on a compressor that cannot be estimated, and thats the threshold.

Cool, we get you back and off to an interesting start. I can't wait to see where this goes.

StudioManager, post: 399132 wrote: Grammy accredited Bay Area recording studio is offering the opportunity to ask our staff engineers your recording related questions. Do you want tips on mixing? Tracking? Do you need advice when it comes to mastering or producing? Maybe you just want to know how to make your audio sound like it wasn't recorded using an M-Box. This is your chance to get some answers from industry professionals with years of experience working with state of the art and vintage gear. We encourage one question at a time.

Oops, or shall I ask... [[url=http://[/URL]="http://recording.or…"]Chief Engineer[/]="http://recording.or…"]Chief Engineer[/]
I'm waiting for StudioManager! He posted this and hasn't returned... Where are you? or are you part of this group of engineers related to this thread?

Lemme aks dis...

Why is it that so many recordists can't get a live band to sound live on tape, or why these goober smoochin' booger eaters can't get a multitrack to sound live??

I ain't won a damn thing, or been nominated for anything, other than cleaning the bathroom here at the shop... but I have been doing remote sessions for over 15 years, and pushed faders for about 1000 live shows including several grammy winning artists and bands... who wonder why the hell their records can't sound like what I give them on stage, and in the audience....

riddle me that, batman.

Chief Engineer, post: 399413 wrote: facepalm

" ......Are you saying my LA 610s and Manleys are junk? That plugins such as Renaissance Axe are useless?? Good luck trying to convince people of that one. This was one of the most used guitar compressors on the planet among professional audio engineers working ITB. With no settings how could that be possible??...."

I don't believe that anyone said any such thing. You asked us a very vague question in "how do you like to compress..."

You didn't ask us what we liked to use as far as models or plugs, you didn't give us any specific scenarios in which to put into context. There are far too many recording scenarios to ask the vague question you did and expect anything other than the responses you got, and, by the way... no one said your gear was junk.

Lighten Up, Francis LOL

Chief Engineer, post: 399413 wrote: facepalm

Well, you are half right. There are a few factors why distortion reduces dynamics and passing a signal through a distortion unit is merely a part of it. With the lower tuned guitars of todays music compression is a bigger part of the process than it has ever been.

I dont *need settings. I use my ears. Are you saying my LA 610s and Manleys are junk? That plugins such as Renaissance Axe are useless?? Good luck trying to convince people of that one. This was one of the most used guitar compressors on the planet among professional audio engineers working ITB. With no settings how could that be possible??

The fact is, from wherever you copy/pasted the "no way for anyone to give you settings" from, there is only one control on a compressor that cannot be estimated, and thats the threshold.

facepalm

hehe

smoke

How do I do my compression? I do whatever the little voices in my head tell me to do. You might grab for that RMS unit? Nope, not what I want? Might try the peak detecting unit? Might need some light compression? Might need some heavy limiting? And you set your threshold accordingly along with your choice of ratios. It's not a cut and dry process. It's a try and try process. You might want as little as 1-2 DB at a ratio of 12:1 or you might want 10-20 DB at a ratio of 1.5:1? And so your threshold within vary over a wide range.

Again, that question was extremely vague, nondescript. Not pertinent to anything without a source definition.
Mx. Remy Ann David

To the OP and whomever is doing the tag team going sour:

I mean, no disrespect but if you are serious and see all these responses, don't keep us waiting around for two days at a time while you read your book for the next answer. We're busy and will play but this is BS so far. This is looking like a school project more than girth. I'll give you a day and if you can't continue,

C'est la vie

(y)

Do I need to go stand in the corner and be an an acoustic absorber?

I'll watch a movie on the boob tube not the YouTube.
Ugh

This is looking like a school project more than girth.

I'd actually welcome that, if that were the case. But I don't think it is.

In the meantime, how do y'all like to add reverb?

Sorry.... it just came out. Couldn't be helped. ;)

DonnyThompson, post: 399513 wrote: I'd actually welcome that, if that were the case. But I don't think it is.

In the meantime, how do y'all like to add reverb?

Sorry.... it just came out. Couldn't be helped. ;)

You owe me a new keyboard... this one is filled with coffee I just spit everwhere from LMAO!
(y)

Cool, we get you back and off to an interesting start. I can't wait to see where this goes.

ha! Well once in a while you get folks pretending.

or are you part of this group of engineers related to this thread?

No.

I would rather believe that its spam. Im thinking a recording school or someone wanting to offer their services, OR total BS as you said. Im not sure why somebody would forget to mention the name of their business, but take the time to tell you about the awards it has won.thumb

Again, that question was extremely vague, nondescript. Not pertinent to anything without a source definition.

Intentionally. You dont think the OP is vague??

Maybe somebody would do me the kindness of telling me what audio recorded through an M-box sounds like:wink:

I really don't know what I'm talking about as I only have 3 major award nominations and only one of those nominations was for a Grammy

Sorry. I missed this. Great post, but this part was my favorite.:)

I have a client that is very good in Tuvan throat singing but I don't think he could sing two complete parts at once.

As to compressors I like the ones that power my shop tools. They can be found at most Lowe's stores and Home Depot. Just make sure you get one with a big enough tank or you will run out of air very quickly somewhat like this topic. My favorite brands are Dewalt, Porter Cable and Makita. They all are very loud which is great for what is happening in the music business right now where everyone equates louder with better.

I also have a question...since I am a member of NARAS and never heard of this what does the phrase Grammy Accredited mean???? I can see Grammy winning but Grammy accredited seems somewhat weird since, to the best of my knowledge, NARAS does not accredit any studios. Thanks for your time.

I think it means that someone not associated with this Bay Area studio, came in and used the facility... then mentioned on an album jacket that some part of a recording was made there.

Now whether an entire recording was tracked and/or mixed... or just a single instrument on a single song was tracked, is unclear... kinda' like our federal government saying they're taxing the rich, or cutting spending... which translates to someone furtilizing 40 acres with the amount of meadow muffins they're spewing.

I dunno... just a thought....