Hey guys,
I noticed that people have been recommending digital multitrack recorders for recording my demo songs.
From what I've read, using one of these would definitely give me that polished, professional sound I want.
However, they're pretty expensive, and I don't want to jump into anything. Is it something I really need, or can I get the same desired musical output by just making my songs on the FS? In other words, can I get my stuff to sound just as good if I use just the FS?
Thanks,
Henry
Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can I g
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
Henry
FS will not give you all the options of a basic multitrack recorder.
There was a discussion about this, if the FS and FX should be called 'digital recorders'.
With FS and FX, if you have enough memory and flash card, you can resample your song as a stereo wave file, and then copy to the card, and then transfer to PC for burning to CDs.
If you want to have multitrack files, 16 tracks as separate wave files, you will have to repeat this process for 16 times for each song.
I don't know about you, but this way I will waste a lot more time than the $$$ for a decent multitrack reocrder.
You can find used ones on ebay.
KORG D16 is good choice.
--------------------
live a musical life
FS will not give you all the options of a basic multitrack recorder.
There was a discussion about this, if the FS and FX should be called 'digital recorders'.
With FS and FX, if you have enough memory and flash card, you can resample your song as a stereo wave file, and then copy to the card, and then transfer to PC for burning to CDs.
If you want to have multitrack files, 16 tracks as separate wave files, you will have to repeat this process for 16 times for each song.
I don't know about you, but this way I will waste a lot more time than the $$$ for a decent multitrack reocrder.
You can find used ones on ebay.
KORG D16 is good choice.
--------------------
live a musical life
-
rbarkhouse
- Posts: 647
- Joined: 22:57, 9 September 2003
- Location: Ottawa, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
shakil: wouldn't you have to follow the exact same procedure to get your multiple tracks into the multitrack recorder? The FS still only has at most 2 stereo or 4 mono outputs.
This is kinda related to pkrhyme's thread: http://forum.fantomized.info/?action=sh ... &page=last
Rick Barkhouse
This is kinda related to pkrhyme's thread: http://forum.fantomized.info/?action=sh ... &page=last
Rick Barkhouse
pk
that's exactly what i meant, i sue an asr-10 right now so i send out all 8 trackz seperated at once, the problem i came with the fantom x is that you got 16 trackz but only at ther most foour mono outs, so if you usaed all 16 trackz you would have to record 4 at a time 4 times would quadriple your recording time. they need an output expander....
http://www.soundclick.com/pk
http://www.soundclick.com/pk
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
Henry,
I dont know what your style is. If your not doing full lyrics or live guitar & bass then yes I say you can just use the FS. It's more than adequit for short sound bytes & repeated phrases and samples. Even if your are doing a full track or two of audio you can get by IMO.
Your using that term "polished" sugesting that dumping FS tracks into a digital recorder is going to help your sound?
Only if you have audio to add. It's probably easier and more organized- like recordind to tape, no files to name & manipulate.
Other than that I think you can do a great mix on the FS.
Chris
http://artists.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/CHRISTOPHER_YAMSEK/
I dont know what your style is. If your not doing full lyrics or live guitar & bass then yes I say you can just use the FS. It's more than adequit for short sound bytes & repeated phrases and samples. Even if your are doing a full track or two of audio you can get by IMO.
Your using that term "polished" sugesting that dumping FS tracks into a digital recorder is going to help your sound?
Only if you have audio to add. It's probably easier and more organized- like recordind to tape, no files to name & manipulate.
Other than that I think you can do a great mix on the FS.
Chris
http://artists.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/CHRISTOPHER_YAMSEK/
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
Hi Chris,
My style of music is disco/house/disco-house/"quality dance" music (basically any dance music that sounds "good"). My music needs to have that really polished sound, like heard in releases on www.zrecords.ltd.uk and Dimitri From Paris and Bob Sinclar type songs (I think you get the picture). Everything just needs to sound really professional and "label-ready" to send to labels as a demo.
My style of music is disco/house/disco-house/"quality dance" music (basically any dance music that sounds "good"). My music needs to have that really polished sound, like heard in releases on www.zrecords.ltd.uk and Dimitri From Paris and Bob Sinclar type songs (I think you get the picture). Everything just needs to sound really professional and "label-ready" to send to labels as a demo.
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
Like we said, you don't need to have a professional sound. Just a good performance, for demos. It's not necessary worrying over that just play your heart out.
Web design/Personal site: http://www.phait-accompli.com
Music: http://www.thecarbonflaw.com
Web design/Personal site: http://www.phait-accompli.com
Music: http://www.thecarbonflaw.com
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
RB: "shakil: wouldn't you have to follow the exact same procedure to get your multiple tracks into the multitrack recorder? The FS still only has at most 2 stereo or 4 mono outputs.
"
Even with the 4 mono tracks, using an external multitrack saves time, because you do not have to write each track to the card, and there is no memory limitation..
I record track by track to D16, and from there I have option to export all tracks at once to the PC as wave files.
With Fantom-S I had to clear the card to make room for tracks and then write to card, transfer to PC.....
But, I agree it still doesn't solve the main problem that you can not have 16 individual outputs.
--------------------
live a musical life
"
Even with the 4 mono tracks, using an external multitrack saves time, because you do not have to write each track to the card, and there is no memory limitation..
I record track by track to D16, and from there I have option to export all tracks at once to the PC as wave files.
With Fantom-S I had to clear the card to make room for tracks and then write to card, transfer to PC.....
But, I agree it still doesn't solve the main problem that you can not have 16 individual outputs.
--------------------
live a musical life
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
Henry!
Why are you so fixated on creating a finished "polished" product to send to the labels!?
Record labels are looking for musicians, not recording engineers!
Obviously sound quality is a part of the equation, but it is NOT what you should be focusing on. Record labels have many employees to re-record, mix, and master you music, so let them do their jobs as you focus on yours i.e composing disco-house.
p.s. disco-house is intended to be played live in a club right? so IMO recording quality elements such as ( panning, eq, subtle mixing, and compression) aren't really even a factor because once music gets up to a certain volume level all these element pretty much go out the window and are dictated by the clubs P.A.-speakers/power amp/mixer-
-=(9FiRE)=-
Why are you so fixated on creating a finished "polished" product to send to the labels!?
Record labels are looking for musicians, not recording engineers!
Obviously sound quality is a part of the equation, but it is NOT what you should be focusing on. Record labels have many employees to re-record, mix, and master you music, so let them do their jobs as you focus on yours i.e composing disco-house.
p.s. disco-house is intended to be played live in a club right? so IMO recording quality elements such as ( panning, eq, subtle mixing, and compression) aren't really even a factor because once music gets up to a certain volume level all these element pretty much go out the window and are dictated by the clubs P.A.-speakers/power amp/mixer-
-=(9FiRE)=-
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
9Fire,
Yeah, the disco-house stuff is played in clubs, but there are also CD/"listening" versions of songs released on CDs. Usually, the quality with these songs is crystal clear, and to me, it makes a big difference on how the song sounds.
For example, for one of my songs, I want to it to start with part A (of course). In part A, I play a chord progression with three chords. I play the progression 4 times. On the fourth time, however, I play the first chord, then the second chord, but I stop on the second chord (trust me, this sounds good). During all of part A, the "beat" (drums, etc.) is playing, except everything has that kind of "bass-less" sound, where it sounds like only the trebel is playing (there won't be any bass guitar playing during all of part A). Then, on the fourth time I play the chord progression on part A, when I stop on that second chord, I want the drums to stop, and then suddenly I launch into part B (or you could even call it A1), which kind of throws everything at you full force. Part B will play the same chord progression as part A, but on part B, the bass and drums and everything else will be normal/heavy and "dancey" sounding. The bass guitar part will also come in, and an electric disco guitar part will come in and be playing really addictive disco chords, etc.
I think you get what I'm talking about...that's kind of a common "trick" that disco/disco-house guys use a lot. I think it would sound great if I used this technique on that song.
I think that, more than trying to get a "polished" sound, I'm just trying to get my music to sound how I want (with the effects and such). It's kind of hard to explain.
I also want to find better drums -- the drums in the F-S don't fit what I'm doing. I was recommended by someone to get a collection of drum sounds I like instead of just use one preset kit, and then apply compression effects and the like.
I don't know...too often, my stuff turns out sounding like cheesy old 1995 videogame music (you know, like older Sega Saturn games had), and I think it's because of the cheesy sounds/recording techniques I'm using.
Yeah, the disco-house stuff is played in clubs, but there are also CD/"listening" versions of songs released on CDs. Usually, the quality with these songs is crystal clear, and to me, it makes a big difference on how the song sounds.
For example, for one of my songs, I want to it to start with part A (of course). In part A, I play a chord progression with three chords. I play the progression 4 times. On the fourth time, however, I play the first chord, then the second chord, but I stop on the second chord (trust me, this sounds good). During all of part A, the "beat" (drums, etc.) is playing, except everything has that kind of "bass-less" sound, where it sounds like only the trebel is playing (there won't be any bass guitar playing during all of part A). Then, on the fourth time I play the chord progression on part A, when I stop on that second chord, I want the drums to stop, and then suddenly I launch into part B (or you could even call it A1), which kind of throws everything at you full force. Part B will play the same chord progression as part A, but on part B, the bass and drums and everything else will be normal/heavy and "dancey" sounding. The bass guitar part will also come in, and an electric disco guitar part will come in and be playing really addictive disco chords, etc.
I think you get what I'm talking about...that's kind of a common "trick" that disco/disco-house guys use a lot. I think it would sound great if I used this technique on that song.
I think that, more than trying to get a "polished" sound, I'm just trying to get my music to sound how I want (with the effects and such). It's kind of hard to explain.
I also want to find better drums -- the drums in the F-S don't fit what I'm doing. I was recommended by someone to get a collection of drum sounds I like instead of just use one preset kit, and then apply compression effects and the like.
I don't know...too often, my stuff turns out sounding like cheesy old 1995 videogame music (you know, like older Sega Saturn games had), and I think it's because of the cheesy sounds/recording techniques I'm using.
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
Dude, I love cheesy video game music!
From what your talking about music/composing wise, I think you could definitely do everything you need on the F-S.
Although you might want to think about getting FL Studio for making amazing drumloops. I LOVE FL Studio, it is without a doubt the Best virtual drum machine on the planet! (i've been creating entire songs in it for years) -you can get a demo of it at www.tucows.com - (if you do D/L this proggy make sure to select "Show legacy precomputed effects" in the Miscellaneous Menu!! these effects are the Heart of the program IMO
As far as drums go, I dont know how the drum samples in the Fantom sound (I have yet to buy my FX8), but I can tell you that no matter how crappy they are you should be able to make them sound pretty kick ass with processing (distortion/EQ/COSM/compression)
I never use preset/commercial drum samples without processing them first, and I use my own original drum samples as much as possible (it's a lot more fun/satisfying to know that you actually made the snare or kick from scratch)
I hope that helps
-=(9FiRE)=-
From what your talking about music/composing wise, I think you could definitely do everything you need on the F-S.
Although you might want to think about getting FL Studio for making amazing drumloops. I LOVE FL Studio, it is without a doubt the Best virtual drum machine on the planet! (i've been creating entire songs in it for years) -you can get a demo of it at www.tucows.com - (if you do D/L this proggy make sure to select "Show legacy precomputed effects" in the Miscellaneous Menu!! these effects are the Heart of the program IMO
As far as drums go, I dont know how the drum samples in the Fantom sound (I have yet to buy my FX8), but I can tell you that no matter how crappy they are you should be able to make them sound pretty kick ass with processing (distortion/EQ/COSM/compression)
I never use preset/commercial drum samples without processing them first, and I use my own original drum samples as much as possible (it's a lot more fun/satisfying to know that you actually made the snare or kick from scratch)
I hope that helps
-=(9FiRE)=-
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
...... I would love to hear what music you have made so far, if it's online please post the link 
-=(9FiRE)=-
-=(9FiRE)=-
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
9Fire,
I've got some stuff I could send you, although it doesn't sound good at all (yet). The melodies sound good, but everything else doesn't. Do you think you could give some of my stuff and offer any advice you may have?
I don't have any samples online, but I could send you some via email. What's your email?
Thanks,
Henry
P.S. I love cheesy game music, too
It's just that, there isn't really a market for it outside of Japan.
I've got some stuff I could send you, although it doesn't sound good at all (yet). The melodies sound good, but everything else doesn't. Do you think you could give some of my stuff and offer any advice you may have?
I don't have any samples online, but I could send you some via email. What's your email?
Thanks,
Henry
P.S. I love cheesy game music, too
It's just that, there isn't really a market for it outside of Japan.
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
Henry,
I'll gladly listen to your stuff and offer whatever advice I can
You can send your tracks to 9fire@9firestudios.com
-=(9FiRE)=-
I'll gladly listen to your stuff and offer whatever advice I can
You can send your tracks to 9fire@9firestudios.com
-=(9FiRE)=-
Re: Do I actually NEED a digital multitrack recorder, or can
I totally agree with many post saying it's the songs, the songs, the songs.
Two guys from TAXI wrote kenny Rogers comeback hit "Buy me A Rose"
Recorded on a 4-track in their back room, said they had to stop and do re-takes every time a cow moo'd out back or a plane flew over top. They swore if you listend close enough a cow did indeed make into the track.
In the end it was not sound production, but song quality that got them the deal.
Chris
http://artists.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/CHRISTOPHER_YAMSEK/
Two guys from TAXI wrote kenny Rogers comeback hit "Buy me A Rose"
Recorded on a 4-track in their back room, said they had to stop and do re-takes every time a cow moo'd out back or a plane flew over top. They swore if you listend close enough a cow did indeed make into the track.
In the end it was not sound production, but song quality that got them the deal.
Chris
http://artists.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/CHRISTOPHER_YAMSEK/