The process

[864homer]

This is most likely a tall order, also given that most folks might not want to reveal there secrets but would someone be willing to give a more in-depth step by step explanation on how they record?

        Or even if perhaps something like that has already been posted?..........i haven't seen one yet?..........but im not the brightest monkey in the NASA programs.

   Im having a real hard time wrapping my head around everything, sorry if this offends anyone

[864homer]

Again my apologies -  Im looking more for techniques or perhaps tips or secrets on how people do it, I have a good general understanding on the basic mechanics of how to, but say the sequence you record in?.
   
      When do you mess with the EQ? if at all?
      Do you bounce bass and Drum tracks first?
      Do you complete the guitars first, then the bass?
      How many track do you bounce in total?

            Hopefully that clarifies a little more, sorry

[Tony W]

I don't think you're getting intentionally snubbed her my friend. I'm assuming that there are very few who really know what they are doing when it comes to technique. Myself.... complete novice. I'd give you advice, but it would be bad advice so I'll refrain. Do a little searching around and you will find a few answers to your questions though. Tips are always buried in posts.

Welcome to the forum.

[robsmith]

Hello,

To be honest with you, I haven't done much actual recording with my BR as yet.  I have tried to lay down some base tracks to play over, I find it hard to have the discipline to play the same thing over and over again.

I know that the unit has the punch in capabilities to record over mistakes, but it seems like a very time consuming process, I usually just start playing ...

I use it a lot for effects when playing electric and for recording jam sessions ...

Bob

[Bluesberry]

Here is what I usually do (usualy, but not always).  I work out the basic structure of the song first, chord progressions, usually on an acoustic.  Strum through this a few times, write it down.  Next pick a basic drum pattern and choose a tempo.  Then into one track I play the whole thing through in one go using the acoustic or electric guitar on a clean amp setting.  I go back and punch in to correct any mistakes in the chording.  I think of this as the basic skeleton of the song.  Then I start to lay down other bits of guitar in layers, some hard electric at the verses, strumming acoustic at the chorus, etc.  When all four tracks are used up I will bounce to a stereo pair (setting up panning as you go with the bounces).  I continue this way until I have a full rhythm track.  Sometimes I bounce with EQ to suit but not always.  Now the song is starting to sound like something, this is when I go into the drums and start setting more complex patterns for the sections.  Once drums are settled in somewhat I do a bass track on one ot two tracks.  Bounce again.  fix drums up some more.  This is the point where I write lyrics and lay down vocals.  Bounce again.  play around with drums some more.  Lay down solos, bounce again.  Master.  This is the basic pattern I just went through on my latest song I did for Rockfest (Million Miles Away).  It is a relatively simple song but it ended up using up almost all the v-tracks.  I did not really do anything with EQ on this one.  I usually don't mess too much with EQ on the songs I do on my microBR.  I also have a BR-1200 and it is so much easier to play around with EQ and stuff so on songs done with that machine I experiment a bit more.  All my microBR songs I don't mess with EQ much.  This is my basic pattern for most of my songs, lay down a scratch track as a basic starting part, flesh it out to create a rhythm track complete, put bass on, vocals, then final solos and other asstd sounds for fill and to finish it.

[launched]

That was a great explanation, Dave (Bluesberry). The way I record is very similar to how I do it on my MBR. I also made a short list for basic recording that can be upgraded later.

Just some basics to hopefully get you rolling with digital recording:

1. Levels - I use a self imposed 75% (-6db) rule. With 24 bit recording there is no need to fight for the highest input level before clipping, especially when learning/starting out. The level meter should be happily bouncing along, right around 75-80% of the max.  
2. Real Time Tone/EQ - Go for the sound you want before you start recording, or at least get it as close as possible. Keep in mind that lower frequencies are your worst enemy - The guitar being the biggest culprit. Start with low bass levels on guitar. I will have to thank AndyR for this advice - It changed my world as far as recording goes.
3. Document your patch and vtrack settings. I use this.
4. Drums/Metronome - I always play to the built in metronome/drums unless I have a good reason not to. It will save you a world of problems if you want to rework some tracks later or decide to use real drums at some point.
5. Mics/Pedals - Plug your instruments directly into the BR unit. Use the built in mic for vocals if you have one. Otherwise, round up a decent condenser mic. If you are unsure of how to get a quality recording, always start off by keep as little garbage as possible between your guitar and the BR unit. Then when you are comfortable with everything, you can learn to be like Eddie Kramer  
6. Bouncing - Learn what bouncing is and how to bounce. What you bounce and how many tracks is up to you, but I usually bounce my bass and rhythm guitar tracks first and then record vocals, solos and extra guitar work to my first bounce.
7. Panning - Learn what panning is and how to pan. I use panning to keep the tracks from competing with each other, and to allow room in the center for vocals, lead guitar, keyboard solos, etc.
8. First Track - Rhythm guitar is usually my first track to record, especially with on the fly compositions. It's my opinion, but I find it easiest to put everything around it. Bass next then do a bounce. When recording your first track, make sure you have a couple measures of buffer to give yourself a chance to get things together after you hit the record button.

I hope we are able to get you started off - Make sure you are having fun with whatever you are doing, though. Don't make yourself miserable by trying to learn too many things at once. Take your time.

Peace!

Mark

[SdC]

When do you mess with the EQ? if at all?

Even if you think you've recorded with the perfect EQ settings for a particular instrument, as soon as you start adding more tracks you may notice the first instrument is lost in the mix (in that case you may need to add EQ) or comes through too heavy (in that case you may need to turn down certain frequencies). Sound behaves very complex in mixes... instruments don't just produce the tone you play, but also a whole range of harmonics and/or resonation.

Do you bounce bass and Drum tracks first?

Drums are the last ones to bounce. You use bouncing
1) when you run out of tracks. (drums don't take up a track, so never need to bounce it (unless you want to apply Insert FX to the drum sound, but that is very advanced))
2) to create the mixdown of the song. After mixdown, run the mixed down track trough the mastering toolkit.

Do you complete the guitars first, then the bass?

Totally up to your own creative spirit

How many track do you bounce in total?

Totally up to your own creative spirit

[Tony W]

I'm hitting ctrl+D now....... (shortcut to adding a favorite)

[Glenn Mitchell]

Good solid stuff.
One tip that I try to remember is to listen to the track you just recorded - all by itself.
However tempting, if you allow yourself bury errors with other tracks, it always ends up degrading the song and if you go too far past in the build up of tracks it is often too late to go back and fix. (Bouncing locks in errors)

[SdC]

.... (Bouncing locks in errors)

No it doesn't really (as long as you bounce and record to empty V-tracks); you can always go back. It's just very time consuming. In the old days with 4-track cassette tape, it was a different story.