Dramwave : Second try with Drums

Scorpios · December 31, 2007, 09:46:37 AM

I wanted to see how the built in mic sounds for a drum kit so I threw this together last night.
While I was at it, I decided to see how the track bounce function operates and finally give the COSM effects a try for guitars and bass.

I used a really cheap drum set (which obviously, I havent practiced on in some time) I have and didn't try any placement techniques for the micro br's mic, I just set it on the floor behind me and played for a few minutes. The drums were running a little hot I think, I did notice the "over" notice lighting up every few seconds, I just wanted to see how far I could go with pushing towards that clip. - I should have a sony stereo mic in a few days I ordered, that should make the drums get a pretty decent sound I think.

I also got to try out the autopunch for some of the guitar tracks, letting me change the amp sound. I opened all the tracks with the BR to wav in sonar to make the final master, but all I did was export the final bounced tracks and did not edit them, I really just want to see how far I can go with more or less the Micro PR only.

The mix needs adjustment, and I think I forgot to pan the last stereo pair of bounced tracks. I will probably go through and fix that in the next day or two.

One thing I realized that is simply awesome, is the ability to bounce not 3 tracks to one open track, but to be able to bounce 4 tracks to 2 virtual tracks. I have had plenty of experience with analog 4-tracks in the past, and I was always wishing something like that would have been possible.

I got pretty adjusted to being able to estimate the levels when bouncing tracks on analog 4-track, now I think I am starting to see how the BR reacts to it so I should have better luck next time... either way I always have the option of accessing all individual tracks (including virtual) in Sonar so I could still edit everything and mix it after it's all recorded. I have to say I am still impressed with what this recorder allows. - Since I got it, I have been waiting to find something about it that "sucks" but so far nothing.

I gave the guitar amp effects a test spin on this, and I wasn't expecting a miracle even something like a Boss GT6 when used line in still has that very typical line in sound and as far as I am concerned, nothing beats a mic to an amp (with a decent tone to start with). The patches sounded better than what I was expecting, and definitely good enough for a quiet and quick way to record a strong idea for a song.
The bass amp simulators, well I wish there were more than 3 but I was actually really surprised with these.
Nothing exactly mind blowing for a bass tone, but great response to all the notes. I used my 6-string bass for this and I notice a lot of bass amp simulators always seem to react poorly to the lower B string notes.

I purposely didn't edit any of the patches for this, saving that for next recording. I did mess around with some presets though just playing through them, maybe I overlooked it, but I didn't see a way to adjust GAIN on the different amps. I am also looking forward to trying the built in mic to an amp.

Pedro · January 02, 2008, 09:35:32 AM

Awesome, what a great song man!

I like the whole stoned feeling of it with all those cool guitar tracks and the drum track is good too, fits very well in the theme. Added the song to my playlist.

The recording is very good, the guitars are great, solo and rhythm, the bass sounds good too (altough the level is somewhat low) and the drums sound is not bad (your playing is good). What was the position and microphone you ended up using on Drums? And by the way, which guitar and bass did you use?

Overall its one of the best songs I've heard made on Micro BR and it's like, your second/third (?) song... So I know you will be making some great recordings with it! Thank you very much for sharing this.

Keep them coming.

Scorpios · January 03, 2008, 10:26:36 AM

Admin, thanks for the feedback.

I just set the micro BR down behind the drum throne to record the drums. Placing it a little higher off the ground etc would probably be a better way.

Yeah just until the other day I realized I had forgotten completely about the input dial for the BR, which is probably why the bass got a little buried.

I used an Ibanez guitar, can't remember the model but it was one of those "starter packs" from musiciansfriend .com that comes with a practice amp, gig bag etc for about 300$ For a cheap guitar it actually plays fairly well, works perfect for something I can leave at work and not have to worry about transporting my own equipment back and forth everyday. For Bass I used a Peavey Grind 6 string, hopefully I will one day find some active soap bar pickups for the bass. - Those seem to be hard to find for 6-string apparently.

Yeah this was just a second try at recording something with it, I have since learned how to bounce and master tracks within the MicroBR, and a few other useful functions. I will probably try some things out tonight with a drum kit to see how it goes... just wish the stereo mic I ordered would get here already!

I will have to figure out still how to arm a stereo pair of tracks to record, but I am guessing a flip through the manual will help me out there.

On New Years Eve, I set the MicroBR out on the balcony and let it record the fireworks (pro-grade fireworks are legal in Germany for new years and everyone lets off a LOT of them at midnight.) - So I have about 20 minutes of recording that sounds like a war zone was recorded, quality turned out great. I will could probably take a short clip of it out to let you hear... sounds pretty massive and surprisingly there
doesn't seem to be any clipping. I actually want to cut out some samples of the larger "bangs" to make percussive samples to use for sequencing.

Quote from: admin on January 02, 2008, 09:35:32 AMAwesome, what a great song man!

I like the whole stoned feeling of it with all those cool guitar tracks and the drum track is good too, fits very well in the theme. Added the song to my playlist.

The recording is very good, the guitars are great, solo and rhythm, the bass sounds good too (although the level is somewhat low) and the drums sound is not bad (your playing is good). What was the position and microphone you ended up using on Drums? And by the way, which guitar and bass did you use?

Overall its one of the best songs I've heard made on Micro BR and it's like, your second/third (?) song... So I know you will be making some great recordings with it! Thank you very much for sharing this.

Keep them coming.

Pedro · January 04, 2008, 09:01:58 AM

QuoteI will have to figure out still how to arm a stereo pair of tracks to record, but I am guessing a flip through the manual will help me out there.

Just press the pair simultaneously. For example, Track 1 and Track 2. Bear in mind it only works with Line IN/EXT Mic. Guitar and Built-in Mic are mono only.

Oldrottenhead · January 10, 2008, 07:21:50 AM

hi, i redid the lyrics on your track and recorded a vocal with two backing vocals more wailing than vocals lol. all effects done with the micro inbuilt mic. then mastered with live mix effect setting. mp3 put on pc and fade in and out done with cool edit pro. if you like it i can post it on my soundclick page obviously giving you credit. here are the lyrics if anyone else wants to try singing them onto your original recording, i am sure there are much better singers out there than me.

Bigger Than Led Zeppelin

Hey hello come on in
Sit right down and join right in
Well my neighbours
They came round the other day
And said can you put your drums away
I said hey man whats your gripe
You know I only play in the middle of the night
They said come on man we've got young kids
They're in that room right through from you
I said man I'm building up a fanbase
Come on bring em on through

They came back said I could only play
After checking that they where away
And I said man that's just no good
I need an audience to get me in the mood

Well it wasn't long
Till that's what I had
Twenty state troopers
And fifty national guard
There they where
All lined up in my yard
They where the toughest audience I 've ever had
But I was gonna turn them around
Make em feel the groove
And move with the sound

There was no baton charge
Or tear gas round
Man them boys where diggin' it
They all where getting' down
Hey man I had an audience
To which I could relate
Hey you know something
It was fuckin' great

Now, my neighbours
Give me no grief
In fact their kids are in my band
We practice in the garden
And are heard throughout the land
People come from far and wide
Just to hear our sound
We've been thinking about touring
But we can't get through the crowds
Maybe we'll just stay and play
And let them come to us
Then we won't need no roadies
Or big ole touring bus
And now we're on the internet
As people spread the word
We're bigger than led zeppelin...... then I woke up
Don't know what I was drinking last night
Phoo.. wooeeeee......

Scorpios · January 10, 2008, 05:25:13 PM

Sounds good, unfortunately I left my good earphones at work today and it's too late here to listen to it through a stereo, I will give it a better listen tomorrow.