new Br800....6mths ago

[greenreverb]

  Hi, I got a Br800 a while ago and have been playing along with the drums etc. and having fun with the effects , its been great for practice but now I want to get some recording done. Just read manual making notes trying to get something to sink in ,the technical stuff of how to use the machine I can deal with (I can always read up in the manual!) but theres a lot of stuff the manual doesn't tell you. For instance do you record drums ,bass or rhythm guitar first? personal preference I suppose but would appreciate any useful advice.

  Anyway I have enjoyed reading this forum and I found it useful when I was considering buying the recorder, couldn't always get the music to play though.
  Just got new guitar, a squire vm Jazzmaster we also have  a drum kit , a bass and other guitars and live in Suffolk u.k

[Geir]

Hi and welcome greenreverb !! Congrats on great choice in recorder

What I usually do is to choose a drumpattern and tempo that I use as a clicktrack for my first tracks to record. That usually is guitar. This firsts track may just be used as a guide track to get the structure of the song done, but quite often it ends up in the final mix Then I double the guitar. Next is usually vocals (at least for original songs). Then additional guitars and possibly keyboards. Then I program the BR drum arrangement and record the bass.

This is the normal way, but I often mix it up a bit

[bruno]

Welcome to the site from Berkshire. Have fun with the recording.
B

[IanR]

Welcome to Songcrafters.

I think the recording process depends upon what you know when you start recording.

If you have fully written the song, you might start with the structural stuff first, like drums, bass and rhythm guitar. But for me, most of the time I am still writing the song when I record it for the first time and the order of things follows the inspirations.  In those times, I follow a process like the one Geir describes.

BTW, There are lots of threads on Songcrafters about songwriting processes and also recording processes. 

cheers, Ian

[SharksDontSleep]

What I usually do is to choose a drumpattern and tempo that I use as a clicktrack for my first tracks to record. That usually is guitar. This firsts track may just be used as a guide track to get the structure of the song done

I echo what our Norwegian overlord said.
Rough drums, guide guitar. Then real bass, guitars, drums, wipe guide, more guitar/keys. Maybe then bounce to 5/6. Start new V track, add Vox. Master to 7/8 ... Job done
This can take me anything up to a fortnight though

[Tangled Wires]

Welcome to the site, I have a Micro BR to can't offer too much in the way of help on the BR800, but you have come to the right place for any advice you need.

Where about's in Suffolk are you?

[Hook]

Welcome from Tampa, FL, the br 800 looks like a sweet machine. Geir left a perfect platform to dive off of and get started. I also like to start with a live take, a stereo track of me playing & singing. If I nailed the vocals then great I can produce it (track out all the instruments/vocals), finish & move on to the next one. If you go the live take route to start you can also plug your guitar in direct & only use one mic (one mono track) for your guitar (uke/banjo/mando/autoharp/etc) & vocal. That way if you nail the guitar part but the vocal wasn't great you still have the solid guitar track to produce over & you can redo the vocal later.
Another method I use to get started is by beginning with a fully formed drum track(s). I use garageband & drumjam on my iPhone to make them & Rata-Tat-Tat (a member here) has posted up a bunch of drum tracks to be used. I then have to write my progression to the feel & changes of that track. A little backwards but fun & challenging. However you do it, just do it. I look forward o hearing what you come up with.
Rock On!

[SharksDontSleep]

live in Suffolk u.k

Where about's in Suffolk are you?

Oh ... Nearly forgot, I'm in the Flatlands of Norfolk ... Not too far away

[greenreverb]

Thanks for the welcome and tips , nice to have advice from people further down the road.

I think the simple drum rhythm and expand and fill later is the best idea for me ,if I go to complex to start I will tire of the rhythm editor program and of course I will get a better idea of what I want.

thanks again for all the replies all I have to do now is figure out how to work the br800 ,how to use the forum and how to play guitar properly! Hello to my local members Sharksdontsleep and tangled wires , I'm south Suffolk if I walk to far in the wrong direction I can end up in Essex!(joke)

I'll try some basic stuff tomorrow.

[Tangled Wires]

Hello to my local members Sharksdontsleep and tangled wires , I'm south Suffolk if I walk to far in the wrong direction I can end up in Essex!(joke)

Same here, one mile from the border