Tech: How to best record solo record?

Subject: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: GUEST,Stuart
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 01:52 PM

Hi folks,

I currently head an acoustic, traditional trio (the mutineers)
and we are starting to record an album. But I also have a desire to record a solo traditional record. Since I won't be able to use the same equipment, I am wondering what other people have done to get an inexpensive, great-sounding record done. Can equipment be rented, etc?

Thanks!!

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 03:32 PM

Stuart-

I'm in the process of doing something similar. We're doing all my recording in our home office with a couple of microphones, one for my vocals and one for my instrument. The mics are patched into a Mackie 1202 baby board which is patched directly into the computer. We then edit the tracks from there. We'll probably burn a short run of 50 CD's ourselves to satisfy immediate friends and family.

What kind of equipment/editing expertise do you have?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: GUEST,Stuart
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 03:37 PM

Not much Charley, not much. I've got one of those 4 track tape recorders that would probably sound ok with a vocal and guitar mic. Wouldn't know what to do after that though . . .

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 03:52 PM

Stuart-

Fortunately, my wife is a highly competent sound engineer and actually enjoys new tech toys, and even READS the directions before trying to install or use them. She might have more specific comments to offer you.

My goal is to make some of the songs I've composed or adapted in a major way more accessible to others. And it takes too long for my sea music group Roll & Go to process them for recording, and believe or not, some of the songs I've worked up they don't even find of interest! I also use samples of the recordings for placement on my personal website as MP3 files.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: MMario
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 04:09 PM

Stuart - where in maine are you? Maybe you could get together with Charlie's wife....errr - well - you know what I mean...

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: GUEST,Stuart
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 04:12 PM

I'm in the Yarmouth area, thanks all!!!!

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: Stewart
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 05:31 PM

Hi Stuart. The most important thing is a good set of microphones. I have a set of condenser microphones from Marshall Electronics (Pro Microphone Package with a MXL2001 vocal and a MXL603S instrument mic, and Case for $250 at SameDay Music Co.). These are a great value and I find the quality quite good. With these condenser mics you need a pre-amp and phantom power source - I have a Behringer 2-channel MIC2200 Ultragain Pro ($110 at SameDay Music Co.). I also have a 4-track cassette porta-studio which I use as a mixer, etc. Recently I added a NOMAD JUKEBOX 3, 20 GB MP3 player. That is the only one I know of that records in wav format and can upload wav files directly into my computer. I picked one up at an incredibly low discounted price since it's an older model and not popular due to its larger size (about the size of a portable CD player). With the MP3 player I can record wav files in stereo for many hours (most of a day) without running out of memory, and it beats changing tapes every 15 min and keeps everything digital. And all of this fits reasonably into a small box so it's fairly portable. Once in the computer, I edit the wav files, adjust eq and reverb, etc with CoolEdit which is now Adobe Audition (or there are other less costly programs available).

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: Gypsy
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 10:58 PM

That's right........pretty much what our group is doing. We'll do the recording the very best we can at home, then will take it to studio for the professional massage. Local studio does this, Peter sez it only takes 3-4 hours, then you have saleable quality recording. Musicians Friend is a good resource for home recording..........and they match any price on the net for up to 30 days afterwards! Zzounds.com is another good source.

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: GUEST,stuart
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 08:44 AM

Thanks everyone!

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 09:05 AM

Stewart-

Your system sounds similar to what we're using. My wife has also been using Cool Edit.

Stuart-

We really could get together if you like. I live only 30 minutes from Yarmouth and run by your town on the Interstate into Portland every wednesday for music practice with Roll & Go. I'd like to know some more about your group, The Mutineers. Is it a hard rock group or something more in the nautical music line? My email address is: [e-mail]

Consider becoming a member of Mudcat. It's a free service and an invaluable resource!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: GUEST,Stuart
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 09:43 AM

Charley,

Thanks for your help and input (thanks to everyone actually!).

My band, The Mutineers (www.themutineers.com), is an acoustic trio. We play traditional folk and blues music and arrange it all. Just thought I'd share a little information about the group. Thanks again!!

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: themutineer
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 09:46 AM

By the way Charley - I just registered! Happy to be aboard!!

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 11:27 AM

NIce to see another Catter, and also one that's recording a solo disc. (I'm about to do one myself at home...)

Subject: RE: Tech: How to best record solo record?
From: Folkie101
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 10:49 PM

hi Stuart,

you can also go to www.rogermcguinn.com, and click on "how i record". he gives information on how he records and transfers his music to his website.

welcome aboard!

Folkie