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R/E/P => R/E/P Archives => Reason In Audio => Topic started by: y2jerik0 on October 08, 2005, 02:16:30 AM

Title: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: y2jerik0 on October 08, 2005, 02:16:30 AM
Hey guys,

I'm about one year into recording, so im definitly wouldn't consider myself knowledgable although i am constantly researching and reading sites such as this....but anyways, i wanted to know what else you more experienced people think i need....

so far i have :

Digi 002 (4 pre-amps built in)
PowerMac G5 2GHz Dual Processor
M-Audio BX5 Monitors
Shure KSM27 Mic
2 x MXL603's  (for overheads)
AKG D112 (for kick)
Shure SM57 (snare)
Tama Rockstar Drumset with Sabian AAX Stage Cymbals and a Zildjian K Custom Ride
WAVES Diamond Plugin package
Guitar Rig (amp simulator)
Fender Deluxe 112 Amp

right now i have a crappy guitar and bass, I plan on getting a Gibson guitar soon and a new bass soon as well...

but equipment wise, what else do i need to make good recordings..am i missing anything?
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: TotalSonic on October 08, 2005, 02:34:14 AM
y2jerik0 wrote on Sat, 08 October 2005 07:16

but equipment wise, what else do i need to make good recordings..am i missing anything?


Seems to me you have absolutely everything you need to make good recordings except for some Shakti Stones -
http://www.shakti-innovations.com/
I recommend lots of them!!

Razz Very Happy

Best regards,
Steve Berson  
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: $a1Ty on October 08, 2005, 02:41:08 AM
or what about some cable towers

http://www.audiovisionnetwork.com.au/a/120.html


"Music reproduction is clearer, with more liquidity, dynamics and focus. The improved inter-transient silence allows the listener to hear ambient cue information essential for accurate perception of stage depth, width and unwavering imaging."

lmao thats too funny
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: Norwood on October 08, 2005, 03:14:46 AM
The longer you do this the more you'll begin to know that you are never done buying gear.  I can't tell you how many times I've told my wife, "once I buy this, I'll have everything I need".  She just ignores me now.  The important thing is to do your best with what you have, and when you find a hole in your gear, try to fill it.
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: Jon Hodgson on October 08, 2005, 07:28:16 AM
I agree with what Michael said. Stop worrying about gear, and get stuck into mastering the craft. Record, listen, improve. Once you know how to get the best out of what you have, you'll know if you need anything else.

I also recommend the Harvey Gerst forum on this site if you have practical questions about your gear and how to get the best out of it.
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: Ralf Kleemann on October 09, 2005, 07:43:07 AM
Sometimes it's amazing what somebody who is using their ears can get out of average equipment. Some of the best records ever made were done like that. It doesn't matter if you have "expensive microphone type such-and-such" or "expensive preamp type such-and-such", although there is a big hype around these items. Which doesn't mean that there isn't a lower limit of what good equipment will cost you. But, after all, what counts is the ear, and feeling, of the person turning the knobs.

I know that you know this, but it's never wrong to reinterate!

Best o' luck with your work,
Ralf
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: bbchessman on October 09, 2005, 11:14:26 PM
I'm more on the production end of things but I would recommend getting an 1176.  Used on every record I've ever been involved with.  Good luck.

Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: Brett Mixter Rader on October 10, 2005, 05:00:17 PM
You just need a good listening environment. Thats more important than any other piece of gear you can buy.
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: maxdimario on October 10, 2005, 06:33:11 PM
I'd get a good tube mic and a good ribbon. at least one of the two.
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: danickstr on October 10, 2005, 09:48:00 PM
you have what is known as entry level pro gear.  You will need to upgrade it all as time and money permit. (comp excluded).  A good place to start IMO is with a Great River preamp. Hopefully you see the logic of getting 4 preamps "for free" is not going to cut it for critical tracks.  Mercenary sells them for about a grand.  Then read the post on good condensers for under a grand.  And the thing about good listening environment is also invaluable.  A boutique converter would be nice too.  Dan Lavry is introducing a cost-reduced one that has lightpipe.  Sorry to not go along with the mid-level gear can make great tracks concept, but I am a snob of sorts, and have to be honest about that.

Kraft makes spaghetti in a box, and Stouffers makes it frozen for a step up, but wouldn't you rather have it made in an Italian restaurant?
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: Ronny on October 11, 2005, 03:45:57 AM


Practice.
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: audioalchemy on October 11, 2005, 05:04:15 AM
Ronny wrote on Tue, 11 October 2005 03:45



Practice.



That is so true.  I've been recording a couple of years now, and can really say thats the only thing you can't go out and buy.  I have a really basic setup

mxl mics
digi001
behringer ada8000(8 pres w/toslink)
and thats about it except for monitors and stuff.

people consider this type of low budget gear to not be worth a crap and sure there is better.  But I have learned this gear for the past 2 years and practice just makes all the difference
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: Roland Storch on October 11, 2005, 06:30:53 AM
Norwood wrote on Sat, 08 October 2005 08:14

The longer you do this the more you'll begin to know that you are never done buying gear.  I can't tell you how many times I've told my wife, "once I buy this, I'll have everything I need".  She just ignores me now.  The important thing is to do your best with what you have, and when you find a hole in your gear, try to fill it.



Very good point!

Another point why I will not suggest any gear - although I had some ideas - is: In my experience recording and mixing becomes better the less you (have to) concnetrate on your gear. That means it should be reliable.
It also should not be distrcting. Example: Using 10 different mic preamps for 10 channels distracts you with the decision for the right preamp instead of getting the best placemnet for a mic and hearing it.

And: Less concentration on your gear only is possible (even with the best gear) if you really know how to use it.
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: maxim on October 11, 2005, 06:41:34 AM
all you need now is some decent songs and great performances

good luck!
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: vernier on October 11, 2005, 02:49:08 PM
I'd add one more thing, a reel to reel, for recording drums, and for mix.
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: Norwood on October 11, 2005, 04:09:30 PM
vernier wrote on Tue, 11 October 2005 11:49

I'd add one more thing, a reel to reel, for recording drums, and for mix.


Your reputation here as a analog snob goes without saying, but honestly... does he really need a reel to reel "to produce quality recordings"?  Gimme a break.
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: vernier on October 11, 2005, 04:23:40 PM
Yes, very much so ..night and day. Try it!
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: J.J. Blair on October 11, 2005, 04:35:07 PM
What do you need to make good quality recordings?  Experience and knowledge.  You need to know the basics of recording, like mic placement, proper gain staging, how to use the gear, avoiding phase cancellation, etc.  If you don;t know that, do some research on the web or buy a recording book.  You also need to know how to make your instruments sound good before you record them, and that includes knowing how to play.  If the source sucks, so will your recording.

As far as the gear goes, a real pro can take a handful of SM57s, a Mackie and an M Box and make something listenable and musical sounding.  Save your money, stick with the gear you've got and learn how it works before you start worrying about buying something that you won't have the knowledge to use properly.  Listen to lots of good records, study them, and see if you can get some of those sounds with the gear you have and experiment.  Don't just come in here and say "How do I do this?"  You'll become a much better engineer by experimenting and trying to figure it out yourself.

Good luck and have a great time doing it!
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: Jon Hodgson on October 11, 2005, 04:44:31 PM
J.J. Blair wrote on Tue, 11 October 2005 21:35

Don't just come in here and say "How do I do this?"  You'll become a much better engineer by experimenting and trying to figure it out yourself.


I dare say you've forgotten more about recording engineering than I know, but I perhaps I could suggest that when it comes to something more specific than "how do I make great recordings?", sometimes perhaps it would be a good idea for him to come here and ask "how do I do this"...

He'll get twenty different answers...

And then he should try ALL of them...

and a few of his own.

Sometimes we all need a bit of a shake to get us thinking in new ways.



Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: J.J. Blair on October 11, 2005, 06:11:05 PM
John, yes.  But if you carefully read what I wrote, I said "don't just come in here and ask..."  I didn't say not to ask us.  It was more about encouraging experimentation than than asking for an easy answer.  I'm sorry that didn't come across clearly, so thank you for giving me the opportunity to clarify that.
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: y2jerik0 on October 11, 2005, 06:35:30 PM
thank you everyone for your replys...for now, i'll take the advice of the majority and master the skills of what i have already before i go out buying more

thanks again everyone
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: Jon Hodgson on October 11, 2005, 06:35:41 PM
JJ

Understood, actually looking at it again I should probably have guessed the inflection.


y2jerik0

One thing I might add is that since I'm guessing you don't have the benefit of a nice professional designed acoustic space, so as well as the obvious things of like mic placement, editing and mixing techniques, you would do well to learn some basic acoustics. Mics only pick up the sound that's there, so the better you can make the sound in the room, the better your recordings.

Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: maxdimario on October 11, 2005, 06:50:51 PM
I'd spend the money on the absolute best microphones, and the absolute best pres you can get, avoiding tinny fet mics if possible.

that is, if you want to improve RECORDING quality.

if you want to make a great RECORD, you need a great band and a great vibe.

or an artist who can do it all convincingly.

you CAN make a great record with sm57's, especially if the band is a great live-feel band.

Some live records recorded with dynamics are more convincing than full-on studio albums.

as far as ease of recordings, a great tube mic, ribbon and large diaphragm dynamic, will enable you to use LESS mics, and not worry so much about perfect mic combination/placement.

in the words of the old EMI engineer, you can stick ONE mic up and you know if it's going to be a hit.

..That is if you've got an actual hit in the room.
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: vernier on October 11, 2005, 07:28:23 PM
Forget mastering the craft, you wanna put down cool soundz now!!! ..and no matter what, that Tama kit ain't gonna happen less it goes to tape.
Title: Re: what else do i need to produce quality recordings?
Post by: danickstr on October 11, 2005, 11:04:25 PM
vernier wrote on Tue, 11 October 2005 19:28

Forget mastering the craft, you wanna put down cool soundz now!!! ..and no matter what, that Tama kit ain't gonna happen less it goes to tape.


vernier's got a fever...and the only cure is drums to tape!

regarding my post about better stuff, it's true what JJ said.  learn what you need to learn first.  that is the main thing.

would it sound better with the stuff I mentioned? Only if you konw how to use it well, so just practice with the stuff ya got.

good luck, and do read up on the concepts.  Basically, take JJ's post, put my name on it, and thank me for the advice.

cheers