Recording a live and loud band… what I’ve learned so far

[hewhoiscalledj]

I've posted my findings before under a different title, but I've finally figured out how to avoid all the distortion and clipping when using either the built-in mic or an external mic (Sony stereo condenser from Ebay.) Previously, I had suggested using no effects when recording so as to have the ability to experiment during the Mastering process. For the purpose of recording extremely loud situations such as band practice with a psychotic drummer inside a tin-can of a garage, or even for recording a live concert (incognito, of course) the trick is to use a Limiter. I'm not a studio engineer by any means, so after much online research I discovered that the missing ingredient to my recordings was the use of a limiter. Lo and behold, the MicroBR has a limiter but it gets left out if you record dry; and doesn't do its job correctly (if used in the Mastering section) if distortion is already present in the track due to clipping (when the OVER sign pops up.)

So, to keep things dry but cut out distortion from clipping, there is an Effects setting called MC04:Only Lmt (press effects and use cursor to scroll until you find it.)  A limiter, essentially works similar to a compressor but in this case, cuts off all noise/sound when it hits a certain threshold. The default threshold for this effect is -3db so any signal reaching above that gets cut out. You can also adjust the attack (how fast the limiter kicks in once the threshold is reached) and the release (how fast the limiter allows the signal to return to normal.)

Anyway, I've found that digital distortion in the case of my bands rehearsals, starts around -4/-5db so I set the limiters threshold to that. Doing this also allows me to increase the Input Sensitivity and Level which makes for a more detailed and robust recording. I'm in the process of mastering some of our recent takes. Once I have that completed to my liking, I will post them up so you can see what I'm talking about. Anyway, just thought I would share this bit of info. It took me months of trial and error to figure this out so I hope it saves someone else some blood, sweat and tears. I had almost given up on the MicroBR as being a good tool to record band practice, but now it's a much better tool than those portable field recorders like Tascams DR-100; thanks to all the other effects, multi-tracking and rhythm arranger functions. I almost picked one up but realized that the nicer ones used Limiters and thought, hey, the MicroBR has a limiter... Duh.

[Tony]

This is really good information, thanks.

[hewhoiscalledj]

yeah, originally, i had to set input SENSITIVITY as low as it would go to -15db (with my external mic) and the INPUT level wheel was down to 50. this made for a dull and lifeless recording. using the limiter during the tracking process lets me set sensitivity to -10db and have the input level at 90. i'm still fine tuning the settings but the results i've gotten so far have been stellar.

man i love the Sony stereo mic and my MicroBR. the band actually thinks i know what i'm doing now! hehehe...

[wrland2]

good info. thanks dude.

[Ferryman_1957]

Thnaks for this. Great help. I'm struggling to record a good vocal sound, also getting a lot of clicks and pops, I will try with this setting to see if it helps.

Cheers,

Nigel

[hewhoiscalledj]

Thnaks for this. Great help. I'm struggling to record a good vocal sound, also getting a lot of clicks and pops, I will try with this setting to see if it helps.

Cheers,

Nigel

The most valuable resource that i've come across so far has been:

http://www.tweakheadz.com

everything you need to know about recording, from equipment to technique and then some, I've found on tweakheadz. Click on the Guide and you'll find what you need for recording vocals.

[Tony]

The tweakheadz site is great.  Thanks for putting that up.  I've never bothered with midi, just record the instruments to hand.  I followed the link and hopefully by the end of the day I'll have the one cable needed to connect my keyboard to garageband and really start making a mess.

I have dreams of a horn section in my arrangements.

[hewhoiscalledj]

i'd take recording live instruments over synth/midi anyday. on my last bands album, we were struggling with some violin parts that we used a synth for... we ended up hiring a friends neice who played violin in her high-school orchestra to play the parts we wanted. it was amazing how much better and dynamic it sounded anyway. i would do the same thing for horns... how awesome would it be to record a room full of brass? trumpets, sax, whatever. 

[Tony]

I think it would be fantastic to record as you say but I'm not recording a band's album.  I'm just messing around in a world where there is no TV, work, bills, credit crunches, post-50 blues, family, oops, better stop there!

I'm just having fun and whilst I can be happy with my bass, guitar and keys, I'm cool with drum loops and midi horns.  This is the best hobby in the world, as a friend of mine says.

[hewhoiscalledj]

Hey, one man's obsession could be another man's vacation...

My approach to all this is that although i will always write and play music, the day may come when i dont have the time or desire to play in a band situation; at least on a regular basis. But i'd still like to make contributions to the world of local music and I think i can do that thru recording. If i ever get good at this tracking/mixing/mastering thing, i'd love to share it with other local bands; young and old. And who knows, i could end up recording the next big thing and getting some credit for their break-thru demo. Pipe dream? probably, but there is something that is very gratifying from hearing a recording and song sound better and better with each attempt.

Good luck to ya...