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RE: recording quality vs. song sincerity | from adamMay 05 2005 - 11:38

Where would one get their material mastered "to and from 2 inch tape"? Is this an option you can suggest to matersing studios? Do they have tape machines at mastering studios? i too am going the computer route for the new ten year drought record, and I'd love to get some more analog in the signal path.

RE: recording quality vs. song sincerity | from alanMay 04 2005 - 20:30

anyone here using the UAD-1 (card w/any plug-ins) with RTAS wrapper? i'm wondering if anyone has had any problems with it and P Tools LE

RE: recording quality vs. song sincerity | from JR OlssonMay 04 2005 - 09:47

I have tried TL Audio, Ivory 2 series, Quad Valve Preamp 5001. Sounded pretty good. It's not very expensive either. http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/tlaudio/docs/products/5001.shtml

But I don't know what to compare it to. I've only been recording on a Fostex Portable recorder earlier.

RE: recording quality vs. song sincerity | from PeterApr 23 2005 - 01:06

It really depends on what kind of music you're making. If your work needs warmth, size and transparency to get its message across effectively, then you need good gear or you won't be doing justice to the material. If you're doing music where a hi-fi production would actually detract from the vibe and message you're trying to put across, then use your cheap home gear.

In short, the punishment has to fit the crime.

I couldn't work the way I want without good processing and sound-manipulation equipment (Eventide/Lexicon/etc), as well as Neve 1081's (hi Jeff) and vintage limiters, but my stuff is instrumental and the sound is a big part of the overall thing.

The most important aspect is the musical idea, though- everything else is really secondary.

RE: recording quality vs. song sincerity | from RossApr 21 2005 - 08:15

I've been in the process of recording an album on my computer for about a year now. The whole thing - the computer, Cubase, sound card and a couple VST instruments cost me probably $2000 (Canadian)(you can even pirate most of that software, but I'm looking to release it and didn't want to get in trouble later on.) All of which I'm still in debt for, but coming from the four-track country to digital city I could never go back, and I wouldn't take back the money.

Home recordings can now sound pro for dirt cheap, compared to studio time and old studio hardware. Intigrating midi into my music was a huge leap, but allowed me to do things I could only previously imagine. It's allowed me to write and record songs like I would have never thought possible. It also helps if you are on your own. And the studio is my apartment's dining room and all it is is a computer some speakers and a microphone.

The only down side is the sharpness of a digital signal. Which really sucks if you're going for a headphone album. The trick to avoiding this is an old IDAHO trick that you've probably read a hundred times on this message board, which is to master to and off 2-inch tape. That's my plan, and thankfully the only time I'll have to spend in a "real" studio.

Anyway, all I can say is that getting something inspired recorded is the only thing that matters. I try to record quickly, and sometimes just make something up on the spot. None of it spot on, but it has spirit! The benefit of the computer is that you can go back and refine with an unbelieveable amount of control. You can play with your songs until the wee hours of the morning (which happens a lot), and even resurrect songs you've tossed aside.

I love 8-track recording, and just seeing a reel to reel recorder brings happy tears to my eyes, but after working in Cubase, I could never go back to less control... less possibility.

'One Foot in the Grave', by Beck, is the shittiest recording of some of the best songs ever written.

A good song will always break through tape hiss.

RE: recording quality vs. song sincerity | from Alex NiedtApr 15 2005 - 21:42

Just got an Avalon AD2022. Very nice.

RE: recording quality vs. song sincerity | from ronApr 15 2005 - 12:57

right on. pre-amps are huge... like the Manley VoxBox... holy balls are those things sweet.

RE: recording quality vs. song sincerity | from jeffApr 15 2005 - 10:04

i good song can really be made even better with good equipement and good ears. you cant really polish a turd though....not to say i dont try all the time.ive found that recording through a neve pre-amp has been the saving grace in all the idaho recordings......next come better a/d converters. with those two things youve won way over half the battle. mics are nice but an SM57 can almost do the trick on everything if youve got the 1st 2 things ive mentioned.

RE: recording quality vs. song sincerity | from Alex NiedtApr 14 2005 - 21:44

Yeah, they always say "a good song with shitty recording is still a good song, but a shitty song with great recording is still a shitty song".

RE: recording quality vs. song sincerity | from ronApr 14 2005 - 19:58

i'm convinced that if you're good enough (as an engineer), you can get almost anything to sound good. but the thing is if you record shit, it's still shit with some cool effects or whatever. take John Frusciante's new album. talk about a seriously lo-fi recording, but it sound fucking amazing. it's an album called "Curtains."

RE: recording quality vs. song sincerity | from Alex NiedtApr 13 2005 - 15:19

As long as you can hear the instruments and vocals, and you've performed the song with passion, it's fine. Good recording quality is a luxury that can help get your point across better, but it can also make you forget about why you're recording in the first place. Like all other things in music/recording, it's a balancing act.

please respond | from doug delucaApr 13 2005 - 11:15

i have no other means to make recordings besides cheap equipment. marshall microphone and boss br-532. compared to "pro" recordings it lacks the luster. sometimes i paranoi that there is some subiminal wash that pro recordings are run through. maybe if it had it, it would be better understood? i don't know. that is my question for us. if the recording is a decent mixed home recording, does it disencourage you to listen to it? just wondering what yall think? also what difference does the pro equipment voltage rating affect the sound quality as opposed to "home" equipment (-6 dbu against 0 dbu) jeff martin please answer. is it louder or more clear in fidelity. i worked beyond trying to make this mic sound like a neuman i guess. some input please. humbly, doug deluca

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