Gnome Recording

By Doug Lloyd

In our last issue, we discussed how to get started doing home recording (see Gnome Recording - December) We talked about the equipment needed and threw in a few pointers about recording technique. In this issue we continue that discussion with more examples and pointers.

Now that you have all the equipment (for a list of all equipment required, see last issue - we're using the Tascam 414 - see photo), you've probably played with it a little to discover how it all works. If you haven't, you should. Do some recordings that you don't care about at all, just to understand how the equipment works. Let's go through an example.

Pick an easy song, like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," that you can play easily on guitar or keyboard and that you can sing and even harmonize to.

To keep this discussion simple, we will assume that the final result will be monaural (aka, mono - we'll talk about stereo another time) and that acoustic guitar and vocal are the only things to be recorded.

For starters, just plug the mic into channel 1, play and sing while adjusting the level so that the loudest part of the song just barely clips (goes above 0db, or into the red, or however your recorder indicates the input level). During this adjustment, also adjust the volume in the headset to be comfortable. Then just hit 'record' and play the song (and sing). When you've finished playing and singing, hit 'stop'. Rewind the tape and listen to what you have recorded. Can you hear both the guitar and vocal? Are they balanced? Is there any noise on the tape that you did not expect or want? You can repeat this several times trying different mic positions, level settings, or any other variations, like your location in the room. Find out what this kind of recording can do - then we'll try some things that should make a difference.

Keeping it simple, next we'll record only the guitar on a single channel (you can use any channel on the recorder - from now on we'll just call this the guitar track). Again, position the mic to pick up the guitar (much more on positioning in a later issue). Try a position about 50 cm from the hole and slightly above the guitar (not directly in front of the hole). Play the loudest part of the song and adjust the level as before. Now, when you start recording the two most important things are: 1) don't make any sounds other than the guitar, and 2) play the song in a way that you will remember again later. Using written music is one good way to do this, or simply remember the number of verses and chorus' and the order.

Now that you have the guitar track recorded, we'll record the vocal track. First disable recording on the guitar track. Plug the mic into a different channel, adjust the mic physically for your singing comfort, and then sing while adjusting the record level on the channel and if necessary the headset volume. Now play the guitar track and adjust that playback level to your liking so that the 'mix' in your headset when you sing sounds good to you. You may or may not record the vocal track while making this adjustment. It doesn't really matter, you're going to record over it anyway. If your recorder has separate level controls for record and monitor on each channel you can play with both the guitar level and the singing level for the headset mix. But the record level should always be set as before - just barely clipping on the loudest passages.

Now you're setup, so go ahead and sing along with the guitar track while recording the vocal track. When you're finished, listen to your result. You will probably need to adjust the headset mix again to balance the vocal and guitar tracks. You can also play with 'pan' to separate vocal and guitar between left and right ears, but for now it's probably best to just leave pan set in the middle. How does it sound? Compare it to the first technique, where both vocal and guitar were recorded at the same time. Is the balance good throughout the song - did you remember where the soft passages were, and where the loud passages were? Want to try again? Easy enough! Just go back to the beginning, set all levels, etc. Use a checklist, and don't skip any steps. You'll find that writing things down (and reading them again later!) will help avoid a lot of simple mistakes that usually require re-recording.

When you have the guitar track and the vocal track like you want them, try recording a harmony track! The process is the same - protect the guitar track and vocal track from being recorded on, plug the mic into a third channel, set record level, set headset mix levels, and sing away. How is your harmony? Play it back and find out!

It's really easy and fun, once you get the hang of it. Let us know if this has been helpful. For a bit of play-by-play, watch the Musician's Forum. In there we've set up a thread just for Gnome Recording and we have a guinea pig using these articles to set up a home recording session. You can offer our guinea pig advice, share your experience, tell us about your frustrations, or just read and try it yourself.

GET OUT THERE! and give it a try. Until next time....

Gnome Recording

By Doug Lloyd, Jr.

Last month we talked about how to get consistent results when recording. This month we took a step back.... Ever wanted to record yourself, but don't know how to get started? Well the Gnome is here to help....

Question:

What is the basic equipment I need to record myself at home? I sing and play the guitar and piano. I want to record the guitar and piano separately from the voice. I want to do some harmonies, too. How do I start?
Answer:

Now there's a question! The field is wide open, so let's first try to narrow it down a little. This sounds like someone who has never recorded before, so Recording 101 would be in order. Another assumption might be the budget. Someone just getting started is probably on a fairly tight budget. And why are you recording? Is it for musical practice, just for fun, or are you trying to produce a production CD? The assumption here will be that we are recording for fun, recording experience and perhaps for musical practice.

You'll need a recorder, to state the obvious. There is a very large selection available, with features and prices all over the map. For a Newbie a good choice might be a 4 track analog recorder. There are several good brands available at very reasonable prices both new and used. With four tracks you can handle guitar, piano, vocal and one harmony without any complicated track manipulation (called bouncing). A google on '4 track analog recorder' provides a lot of information on brands, and also revealed http://homerecording.com/4trackfaq.html which is a potpourri of information about the subject with opinion included for completeness.

You'll need a microphone. There are more microphone types, manufacturers and prices than you might think, but to start out you might consider an inexpensive dynamic mic with a normal cardioid pickup pattern. A little shopping and you can be in business for under $200 for both the recorder and mic. A few other things to look out for - get a good stable mic stand, and make sure you have the right mic holder attachment. Make sure the mic you get is compatible with the recorder input - there are two physical styles, XLR (three prong) and 1/4" TRS (and there may be others, such as miniature styles), and there are two electrical interfaces, high impedance and low impedance. The thing here is to match up - and there are adapters to handle every situation. Usually XLR connections are associated with low impedance and TRS with high impedance. It's best to avoid adapters if possible, so try to acquire compatible equipment. If you connect high impedance and low impedance you will not damage anything, but the audio results will not be good.

You'll want/need a headset. Perhaps the biggest trick when recording multiple tracks separately using a mic is recording only the sound you intend to record. This may sound simple, but as you will discover, it can be very tricky! (Do you pat your foot to keep time?) The mic hears all. When recording with the mic (vocals, piano), all other sound in the area must be controlled. If you are singing along with a recorded guitar track, you'll want to set up the recorder to play the guitar track and record the singing track, while listening to both tracks in the headset. This way only the vocal will be recorded on the new track. This setup is common and usually very easy to accomplish with any 4 track recorder. The key, though, is using the headset, which may take a little getting use to. There are, of course, many options in headsets, but with minimum cost as a driver, select a headset that fully covers the ears and allows minimum external sound IN and minimum headset sound OUT (the mic will pick it up!).

Equipment so far:

* Mic
* Mic stand
* Mic holder attachment
* Mic cord
* Recorder
* Tapes*
* Headset
* Piano/Keyboard
* Guitar
* Any other musical equipment, like drum machine, etc.
* Cables (mostly 1/4" TRS)

* Inexpensive 4 track analog recorders use cassette tapes, record at higher speed, and use a different recording format than your normal cassette player. Use the higher quality tape recommended for your recorder, not the standard blank cassettes, for the best quality, lowest noise recording results.

You're almost ready! Relax.

Next you need a plan. Tempo, tuning and volume need to be considered up front. Your recording may not be completed in one sitting, so you should write down your plan and keep it up to date as it changes. It's all simple, usually, but before you are finished there will be a lot of information, and it is just plain easier if it is written down to keep it straight (end of lecture).

Back to the plan. Many people like to first record a tempo track. This track could be a simple 'click track', just a metronome, or you might use a drum machine. Sometimes it is a bass. The options are many, and totally up to the individual, but a tempo track at the beginning helps to coordinate the whole recording as it progresses. Some also like to record a 'reminder' or 'director' track - a track with verbal instructions and cues to help organize/coordinate the recording. This could include cues such as 'softly here', or 'guitar solo now' or 'slow down', or anything that might help the performer to remember the arrangement. (~Gnome - Later on, you just record over the click track or director tracks.)

Use a tuning standard every time - check tuning prior to recording any track. If your recorder has a speed adjustment, make sure the recorder is 'in tune'! One way to do this is to initially record an in-tune note (on the director track, perhaps), and check that note with your tuner prior to recording a new track. Adjust the recorder speed if necessary. You should make sure your recorder always plays back 'in tune' with what was recorded - if it doesn't, return it!

Volume. Generally speaking, each track should be recorded at the maximum level that avoids clipping. Most recorders have some sort of a visual indication of the record level on each track, and the volume should be adjusted such that the maximum instrument or vocal level used during the whole song produces a 0db (or just slightly positive db) level indication (just barely clips). This adjustment will take some practice, but it's important to take the time up front. Start by playing the loudest part of the song and watch the meter, adjusting the volume so that the meter seldom exceeds 0db. You don't have to actually record to do this.

We'll continue this discussion in the next issue. Your questions and comments are welcome - please use the Musicians Forum.

Gnome Recording

By Doug Lloyd, Jr.

Welcome to Gnome Recording. In each issue of The Metro Gnome the Gnome will do his level best to answer your questions about recording and to discuss some of the basics of personal recording. Professional recording is best left to the professionals, I think you’ll agree, but many musos have the itch to record themselves or their band in a much more relaxed and less expensive atmosphere. Gnome Recording is for you if you want to record live performances of individuals or groups, or if you want to do home ‘studio’ recordings.

The Gnome wants to help you to make good recordings, and encourages you to use the Gnome Recording section of the Musician’s Forum to ask and answer questions about recording. All subjects related to recording technique and tips are open for discussion, and each will be explained in as much detail as possible. The Gnome will make sure the forum stays on track and within bounds.

Of course the internet is loaded with information on recording. The Gnome uses the internet a lot to get answers, and will share the link to any good information source. For instance, a simple search for acoustic recording techniques leads to http://www.humbuckermusic.com/acguitrectec.html which has an excellent write up by Michael Cooper. Michael is [apparently] a professional recording engineer, and the information in this article about mic placement is especially useful. At the same time though, Michael is talking about microphones mostly over US$500. The Gnome will concentrate on techniques and tips. You can get good results by using good technique even with less expensive equipment.

Alright – let’s get started….

Q: I record my acoustic guitar at home using an inexpensive cardioid mic. I’ve noticed that sometimes my recordings sound much better than at other times. What would cause this?

Now there’s a question we can really get into! The main question here is consistency of results, although the Gnome is pretty sure the total goal is consistently good quality recording. Consistency, however, can be considered independently, and it is important, so let’s give that a try. Here’s a list of things to consider:

1. Always record in the same room;
2. Always have doors, windows, curtains, and everything in the room in the same place and conditions (i.e., curtains always closed);
3. Always sit or stand in the same position in the room;
4. Always position the mic the same way;
5. Always use the same trim, volume, equalizer, etc., settings on the recorder.

Getting the idea? The way to consistent recordings is consistent surroundings and recorder settings. You could add ‘Always use the same equipment, including instrument, mic, recorder, cables, chair, music stand…’ If you are serious about consistency - and you should be - write down everything about the room, equipment and settings that you can. Create and maintain a checklist.

Consistency is necessary, of course, and should become second nature. Consistency is relatively easy in a home recording environment, because all of these elements can be controlled.

In the next Gnome Recording we will talk about improving the recording you do at home, once you’ve found a consistent method. There are things to consider about each of the items mentioned above, and we’ll talk about those things.

Gnome Links:

* If you are really interested in recording, then microphones will really important to you. Here is a great overview of microphones: http://arts.ucsc.edu/EMS/Music/tech_background/TE-20/teces_20.html