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General Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Javier on April 23, 2008, 10:36:43 AM

Title: Mastering
Post by: Javier on April 23, 2008, 10:36:43 AM
I made a song last night.  When I mastered it, at first, I didn't export it, so I had to master it again.  When I did, I got a double sound and the level was so high it distorted.  Does anyone know how to fix this problem?
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: SteveG on April 24, 2008, 01:03:21 AM
More info needed! lol. Ok, Did you play back the original tracks and the master track at once? Did you play the mastered track with drums and the MBR drums at once? These seem the most likely off the top of my head.
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: Javier on April 24, 2008, 06:22:05 AM
To answer your first question, I don't know.  I mastered one time, didn't export it, and then mastered it again.  Let me tell you what I did.  Mastered it once, didn't transfer, entered master mode again, and mastered one more time so I could transfer and that's when I got the double sound and distortion.  I just bought the BR last Saturday, so I'm really new at this.  Let me know what I did wrong.
Thanks
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: SteveG on April 24, 2008, 09:05:12 AM
You have to be playing the master tracks and other tracks too I guess. When you master 4 tracks all on virtual track 1, the MBR records them to 1&2 v2. Did you change tracks to these to listen to the master, then try to do the second master playing these and 3&4 v1 as well? Make sure that you are playing the 4 tracks you started with, or the ones with the bounces you want, and no others?
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: Javier on April 25, 2008, 07:59:42 AM
Thanks for your input.  I sat down last night and noticed that I had placed everything in only one virtual track.  I had to redo the whole thing except for the drums.  Now it sounds much better.  Now the only thing I need is a good mic for vocal (all I have is a SM-58), which is good for live performance but I'm not getting a really good sound from it for recording.  I also noticed, that since I don't have a good pair of headphones, I'll have to master through my comp speakers to get a good mix.  The guitar was too low and vocal and drums too high.  But I'm still learning.
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: Oldrottenhead on April 25, 2008, 08:17:51 AM
i have some really good mics but tend to use the onboard mic as it gives such good results and there are less wires to contend with.
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: jkevinwolfe on April 26, 2008, 05:37:48 AM
Javier,

I think if you listen to some of ORH's (Jim's) songs posted here you'll agree that he gets incredible results from the built in mic. I found that there's little need for an external mic and instead decided to mount the Micro on a mic stand to position the internal mic better.

I found a tiny music stand at Sam Ash that's just slightly bigger than the Micro and mounted it on the mic stand at a 45 degree angle. This allows me to put the Micro at waist level for recording an acoustic guitar and at mouth height for vocals. I can pick up the stand and move the whole setup to a different room or spot where the acoustics are better. It also puts the controls for recording in a good position when using an electric guitar. The sound is great and I don't have to contend with my mic, cords and power supply. The built in mic is also less prone to pick up hum.

Kevin
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: Oldrottenhead on April 26, 2008, 05:44:47 AM
QuoteI found a tiny music stand at Sam Ash
i might get one of them, i tend to hold the micro in my hand when i sing, this can sometimes be a problem causing clicks etc when i move a finger or forget to clip my fingernails lol.
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: 64Guitars on April 26, 2008, 09:06:15 AM
You might want to consider making one of these D.I.Y. mic stand adapters for your Micro BR:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Microphone-Stand-Adapter-for-4-Track-Recorder-eff/ (http://www.instructables.com/id/Microphone-Stand-Adapter-for-4-Track-Recorder-eff/)

It uses velcro to attach the Micro BR to a piece of wood which is fastened to a six-inch table leg. The table leg is about the same size and shape as a standard microphone, so it can be inserted into a standard mic holder on a mic stand as shown in the photo.

If it were me, I'd add a right-angle strip along the bottom edge of the wooden platform for extra support, and maybe even do away with the velcro. Also, I think I'd want to add something to keep the table leg from rotating in the mic holder so the Micro BR would remain horizontal.

(http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FK7/FNHQ/F9056PK0/FK7FNHQF9056PK0.MEDIUM.jpg)

Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: jkevinwolfe on April 26, 2008, 09:23:00 AM
(http://homepage.mac.com/jkevinwolfe/Sites/xtraimages/IMG_0054.JPG)
This is the stand from Sam Ash. It was about $20. I mounted apiece of foam across the bottom lip to absorb vibrations and keep the Micro from getting scratched. Since the Micro has rubber feet I didn't go anything to the metal back.

I use the bracket that came with it as a headphone and guitar cord holder. This makes it easy to store in the closet and pull out ready to use.

Kevin
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: Olarte on April 26, 2008, 11:05:29 AM
Kevin, that's a cool stand. What's the name of it?

I actually went completely opposite. I got  the Manhasset Fourscore stand which can hold up to 4 sheets of paper accross.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Manhasset-5101-Fourscore-Stand?sku=450185

At first I thought it would be too big but it almos acts as a desk and a stand. I can put the MicroBr on one of the sides, and still have room for 3 music sheets.

Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: Oldrottenhead on April 26, 2008, 11:37:33 AM
just a thought but the peripherals are bigger than the microbr lol, how many products can you say that about



am sure their will be a list on that very topic soon lol.
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: jkevinwolfe on April 26, 2008, 12:00:44 PM
Olarte,

It appears to be a music stand for the Munchkins from the Wizzard of Oz. It's called a Raxxess AMSS. My thought when looking at a larger stand is that the larger surface would reflect more sound, which might not sound so good with the echoy walls in my space. After I do some serious testing with the built in mic, I'll determine if I need to pad the back or not, to absorb more sound. I also thought about cutting it down to size since it's made of aluminum, but that's probably more work than I want to put in.


Jim,

ALL Peripherals are bigger than the micro. :)

I had been looking for a pocket-size effects unit for almost a year and saw nothing worthwhile. I found it in the Micro and the bonus is I get the recorder as well.

Kevin
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: Javier on April 26, 2008, 09:11:46 PM
that's a cool stand.  By the way, what adjustments do you do to the br to use the onboard mic?  Do you use the pre-amp?  Is it really good for vocals?
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: SteveG on April 27, 2008, 02:30:43 AM
That is a good idea with the stands, must look into the options. As for recording vocals with the onboard mike, yep it works fine, just select a vocal effect, hold it far enough away so its not over level and let 'em rip  ;D Vocal delay 1 works well for me. Have a play with the eq and the enhancer too.
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: Oldrottenhead on April 27, 2008, 05:11:11 AM
QuoteThis is the stand from Sam Ash. It was about $20.
had a look at sam ash site but couldnt find your stand could you put up a link. or what it was called so i can seach the net. sam ash site has lots of stands but not sure where to find your stand among them.
Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: jkevinwolfe on April 27, 2008, 08:25:19 AM
Jim,

I bought it at a physical Sam Ash store. I don't see it listed on their site either. Here are a few places online that have it:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--RAXACMS (http://www.zzounds.com/item--RAXACMS)
http://www.mountsandmore.com/Raxxess-AMSS-AMSL-RX1117.html (http://www.mountsandmore.com/Raxxess-AMSS-AMSL-RX1117.html)

I haven't ordered from either of these sites before. I also don't know if they ship internationally from the US. Raxxess doesn't do sales on their site.

If anyone gets one, I wouldn't recommended using it as shown on these sites. When it's attached to the included bracket it's not very stable. I mounted mine directly on a mic holder. To do it I trimmed the fin on the bottom of the stand at a 45 degree angle (since it didn't quite fit in my mic bracket) and used washers to mount it. (You'll want big washers with small holes to make it more stable.) I glued a piece of craft foam on the bottom lip to keep the Micro from getting scratched. And I should point out that a stable mic stand is a necessity.

(http://homepage.mac.com/jkevinwolfe/Sites/xtraimages/stand.jpg)

The bracket that came with the stand is not needed at all so I use it as a headphone and guitar cord holder. Eventually I'll install a cupholder on the mic stand for a snifter of Grand Marnier. Then the portable studio will be complete.

Kevin

Title: Re: Mastering
Post by: guitarron on April 28, 2008, 05:23:53 AM
i have a shock mount for condenser mic mounted on a mic stand- i sort wedge it in there-now if i could figure what to do with the condenser mic-lol