I recently purchased a Zoom H4 Handy Recorder. This thing has a 4 track multi track recorder. I've already experimented with it playing some tuba duets, trios and quartets. Now, I've just recorded in my bedroom, not a good acoustic, but I'm quite impressed with the results.
I'd like to know what your thoughts are on multi track recording. I'm considering using it for tuba/euph quartet and perhaps brass quintet as well. Do you think this could be acceptable for producing a non-commercial CD? Have you tried, or do you know of any brass quintets that have tried, to use multi track recording?
Feel free to send me an email or PM, or just post away!
Multi-Track Recording
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quinterbourne
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tbn.al
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I also just bought a Zoom H4. I record our quintet rehearsals and performances and we use the resulting Mp3's for study and evaluation. I am absolutely in love with the thing. It has editing built in but it's a bit clumsy to use. I just set it up, turn it on and turn it off when we are done. Then I import the long track into my computer and chop it up into meaningful segments that can be emailed to the quintet members. I really haven't explored the 4 track part yet. It comes packaged with Cubase so the editing facility is right there.
I am fortunate to have a great job that feeds my family well, but music feeds my soul.
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Steve Marcus
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tubatooter1940
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Phil Dawson
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quinterbourne
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I am talking about "recording a single track and then laying the next track down while listening to the track(s) already recorded."
One of the problems with recording a quintet is that if one guy makes a mistake, the whole take is ruined. So, if both trumpets nail it all, but the trombone chipped a note, we'd all have to do it over. It takes so many takes to get a perfect take (that's a funny sentence).
Another problem that our quintet is having is that it's difficult to get all of us together. Using multi track means we can do this whenever each of us is available... this leaves more time to rehearse and record the music that cannot be done using multi track (ie music with a lot of tempo changes or rubato).
What I plan on doing is having everyone play their part once on the multi track, it doesn't have to be perfect. This way, when I rerecord my part many times over and over until it's perfect, I can do that while listening to the other (non-perfect) parts.
Once my part is perfect, I remix my perfect part with the other non-perfect parts (less one) for the next person to record. I repeat this process until everyone is done... keeping original copies of each perfect part, of course, to put together at the end, which would be the final product. Of course, the separate parts could then be rerecorded again if necessary.
One thing I need is good quality headphones. I can barely hear the already recorded tracks when I'm laying down a new one. I need to get those big headphones that cover half your head. Hopefully they can be loud enough so you can play in context with what you're hearing. They also need to contain the sound better... the first few times I recorded I could hear the built-in metronome clicking. I managed to turn the metronome soft enough so I can't hear it anymore in my recordings... but I'd sure love to turn it up a bit louder.
Another problem with the headphones I got is that the cord is not long enough. So, right now the microphone needs to be quite close to me. If I get headphones with a longer cord, or some sort of extension (what would that be called... an extension chord???
) then I could place the microphone where I want it.
One of the problems with recording a quintet is that if one guy makes a mistake, the whole take is ruined. So, if both trumpets nail it all, but the trombone chipped a note, we'd all have to do it over. It takes so many takes to get a perfect take (that's a funny sentence).
Another problem that our quintet is having is that it's difficult to get all of us together. Using multi track means we can do this whenever each of us is available... this leaves more time to rehearse and record the music that cannot be done using multi track (ie music with a lot of tempo changes or rubato).
What I plan on doing is having everyone play their part once on the multi track, it doesn't have to be perfect. This way, when I rerecord my part many times over and over until it's perfect, I can do that while listening to the other (non-perfect) parts.
Once my part is perfect, I remix my perfect part with the other non-perfect parts (less one) for the next person to record. I repeat this process until everyone is done... keeping original copies of each perfect part, of course, to put together at the end, which would be the final product. Of course, the separate parts could then be rerecorded again if necessary.
One thing I need is good quality headphones. I can barely hear the already recorded tracks when I'm laying down a new one. I need to get those big headphones that cover half your head. Hopefully they can be loud enough so you can play in context with what you're hearing. They also need to contain the sound better... the first few times I recorded I could hear the built-in metronome clicking. I managed to turn the metronome soft enough so I can't hear it anymore in my recordings... but I'd sure love to turn it up a bit louder.
Another problem with the headphones I got is that the cord is not long enough. So, right now the microphone needs to be quite close to me. If I get headphones with a longer cord, or some sort of extension (what would that be called... an extension chord???
) then I could place the microphone where I want it.-
Steve Inman
- 4 valves
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For real-time enjoyment, I just purchased the Boss RC-50 Loop Station. As soon as I finish reading the 100 page manual and take the final exam, I'll be ready to start using it. I have prior looping experience with the Lexicon JamMan and the original Boss RC-20, both of which I still have, but I suspect will fall into disuse based on the features of the RC-50. These tools are a blast to use. My primary use for these is as a guitarist, but I'm certain they would also work well with any instrument, assuming your mic / amp can reproduce the frequencies involved.
Why ... I'm beside myself ...!
Cheers,
Why ... I'm beside myself ...!
Cheers,
Steve Inman
Yamaha YEB-381 Eb
Conn 56J CC
Willson-Marzan CC Solo Model
Kokomo Chamber Brass
Yamaha YEB-381 Eb
Conn 56J CC
Willson-Marzan CC Solo Model
Kokomo Chamber Brass
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tubatooter1940
- 6 valves
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The Creekers are doing this now in studio. John made a click track with lead vocal and rhythm guitar and printed two c.d's for Kurt and I. He can redo guitar or vocal later but Kurt and I can rehearse at home and record with these same click tracks in the studio. The arrangements and tempos will not vary.
We pronounce it Guf Coast
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Phil Dawson
- 3 valves
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- Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:53 am
- Location: Livingston MT
Many rock and pop recordings are done using multi-track recording. One of the reasons is so that the parts can be kept free of bleed from the other instruments and can thus be mixed together more accurately.
Many classical recordings are recorded with all of the instruments playing at once although many times each instrument has its own mic and a stereo pair is used to capture the overall room or ambiant sound.
The problem with doing multi track recording can be that you can lose the life of the music. A group playing music is more than just everyone playing their part perfectly. The music lives and breathes as a result of the individuals coming together and creating the sound. If all it was was a group of perfect parts then a computer could replace us all (it has for many movie soundtracks). I have never played anything perfectly. Something can always be better. That is the way of playing and the reason the great players still practice.
With the editing software now out there it is quite easy to edit parts of several takes together and get a very good result. You can also mic each instrument and use a stereo pair and be able to balance the parts of the group as you wish. You need to measure where mics are placed in the room so that you can duplicate things for the next session so that you don't sound like every tune was recorded in a different place.
Sennheiser makes a good pair of headphones - I will get the number for you - they run about $99 down from a list of $200 from Musicians Friend and like sources. They are a standard in the recording business.
Remember that recording is a skill and an art that may take as long to learn and master as it takes to learn to play and master your instrument.
Good Luck, Phil
Many classical recordings are recorded with all of the instruments playing at once although many times each instrument has its own mic and a stereo pair is used to capture the overall room or ambiant sound.
The problem with doing multi track recording can be that you can lose the life of the music. A group playing music is more than just everyone playing their part perfectly. The music lives and breathes as a result of the individuals coming together and creating the sound. If all it was was a group of perfect parts then a computer could replace us all (it has for many movie soundtracks). I have never played anything perfectly. Something can always be better. That is the way of playing and the reason the great players still practice.
With the editing software now out there it is quite easy to edit parts of several takes together and get a very good result. You can also mic each instrument and use a stereo pair and be able to balance the parts of the group as you wish. You need to measure where mics are placed in the room so that you can duplicate things for the next session so that you don't sound like every tune was recorded in a different place.
Sennheiser makes a good pair of headphones - I will get the number for you - they run about $99 down from a list of $200 from Musicians Friend and like sources. They are a standard in the recording business.
Remember that recording is a skill and an art that may take as long to learn and master as it takes to learn to play and master your instrument.
Good Luck, Phil
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Phil Dawson
- 3 valves
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- Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:53 am
- Location: Livingston MT