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#941815 - 01/04/05 04:49 PM How To: Recording, overdubbing, and sharing tracks remotely
Dave Sisk
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Registered: 08/30/04
Posts: 3703
Loc: Raleigh, NC, USA

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Since we spun some wheels on getting started with "Tears We Share", I'm taking the liberty of documenting the process that seemed to work well.

1) Start with a reference track created as a simple stereo WAV file. Put a click track on the left channel, and put whatever you want to use as the reference material (guitar chords, bass line, keyboard, scratch vocal...whatever provides a good definition of the song arrangement) on the right channel. Use at least an 8 beat count-in on the click track. Leave about 8 extra clicks at the end of the song as well.

2) Record additional overdub parts as appropriate and then create similar WAV files with click track on the left channel and your part on the right channel for each track that needs to be included. If you're providing a stereo instrumental part, then you should create two WAV files: one with a click on the left and your left signal on the right, a second WAV with the same click on the left and your right signal on the right. Re-use the existing click track unless there's an awefully good reason not to. That way, we minimize any opportunity for synchronization problems. Using stereo WAV files with a click on the left channel helps keep this portable so it doesn't matter what type of recording hardware (PC, stand-alone unit, full studio, etc.) the collaborators are using, but still provides a way to sync-up parts for mixing/mastering.

3) Use common sense in whether to include any effects on the track. Favor recording dry where possible. Reverbs, etc. are best added in the mixing stage. Things integral to the sound of the instrument or part (like guitar distortion) should of course be recorded. If you feel strongly about some particular effect, put it on a seperate track and include it as another WAV file...it can be included in the mix just like any other track.

4) You need some sort of digital recording system, whether it's simply a personal computer with a high-quality sound-card and some inexpensive recording software, one of the many all-in-one digital recorder/DAW's, or a full blown digital studio. As long as you can produce a high-quality recording as a WAV file, you've got what you need to collaborate. If you've already got a good computer and sound card, software might be the way to go. There's plenty of software to choose from. Powertracks from http://www.pgmusic.com is $50. Kristal is free (for personal use) 16-track recording software. (I don't actually use either of these yet...I prefer the dedicated hard-disk recorder route.)

5) MP3 files are great for listening, but for mixing/mastering/tracking etc., you should deal in WAV files. You can shrink the size of the WAV files using the lossless compression done by the free (for personal use) utility called Shortern. You can get it here:
http://www.softsound.com/Shorten.html

In general, don't rely on drum machine tempo settings in the hopes that tracks will match up properly. Re-use the click track or drum machine track from the reference track...don't create your own and expect it to sync'up!

If anyone has other suggestions I should add, PM me and I'll edit this thread and add them. Also, is there anyway on this board to make a thread "sticky" so it'll stay at the top?

Dave
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Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs.
- Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006
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#941816 - 01/04/05 05:00 PM Re: How To: Recording, overdubbing, and sharing tracks remotely
Shars
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Registered: 06/02/04
Posts: 2487
Loc: London

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Dave

Will this track be available for download via the Face of Friendship webpage as it would be fantastic to have several tracks on thw website.

I am sure we can sort it out like we have done so far with Tears We Share and as Nursers said before, a compilation CD with proceeds going to the appeal would be great.

What do you reckon guys?
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#941817 - 01/04/05 05:23 PM Re: How To: Recording, overdubbing, and sharing tracks remotely
PBBPaul
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Registered: 07/31/02
Posts: 2946
Loc: Wonderful World of Cheese - Wi...

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Quote:
Originally posted by Shars:
Dave

Will this track be available for download via the Face of Friendship webpage as it would be fantastic to have several tracks on thw website.

I am sure we can sort it out like we have done so far with Tears We Share and as Nursers said before, a compilation CD with proceeds going to the appeal would be great.

What do you reckon guys?
I reckon that a compilation CD should be the eventual goal. To arrive there, we should create individual songs and post them parallel to "Tears We Share" with the same price tag and short sample clips of each tune. When the CD is available, we could offer the whole package at a "discounted" price/donation. I would like to see this as an ongoing project continuing even after the tsunami crisis nears resolution. Some of us envisioned the Internotes project going for charitable causes but we got hung up when some of us viewed it as a capitalist venture. Having this set up as a charity project from the start clears a lot of hurdles right off the bat. We clearly have the musical chops available in this forum to create quality music. The biggest hurdle, IMHO, will be recruiting quality mixer/masterers since I'm sure that the stellar crew we had for "Tears" will want a break.
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#941818 - 01/04/05 05:28 PM Re: How To: Recording, overdubbing, and sharing tracks remotely
Dave Sisk
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Registered: 08/30/04
Posts: 3703
Loc: Raleigh, NC, USA

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Quote:
Originally posted by Shars:
Dave

Will this track be available for download via the Face of Friendship webpage as it would be fantastic to have several tracks on thw website.

I am sure we can sort it out like we have done so far with Tears We Share and as Nursers said before, a compilation CD with proceeds going to the appeal would be great.

What do you reckon guys?
Yes, this is intended to be a musical donation to be placed on the FOF site! IMHO, the more songs we have on there, the better...more product will surely mean more downloads and more dollars going to Asia.

Please post this on the tsunami #2 thread. I was hoping to keep this thread as only a "mechanics of the virtual band thread" for future reference rather than specific to the tsunami project....
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Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs.
- Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006
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#941819 - 01/04/05 05:35 PM Re: How To: Recording, overdubbing, and sharing tracks remotely
offramp
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Registered: 10/31/00
Posts: 5846
Loc: Golden, CO.

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Quote:
Originally posted by PBBPaul:
[QUOTE]The biggest hurdle, IMHO, will be recruiting quality mixer/masterers since I'm sure that the stellar crew we had for "Tears" will want a break.
True. However, I think that the biggest hurdle is already out of the way; giving birth to something like this is never easy, and then we threw a timetable that was basically unreal at it and demanded it stick. The next tunes needn't be processed in a 4-alarm way.
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#941820 - 01/04/05 05:41 PM Re: How To: Recording, overdubbing, and sharing tracks remotely
Dave Sisk
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Registered: 08/30/04
Posts: 3703
Loc: Raleigh, NC, USA

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Quote:
Originally posted by offramp:
Quote:
Originally posted by PBBPaul:
[QUOTE]The biggest hurdle, IMHO, will be recruiting quality mixer/masterers since I'm sure that the stellar crew we had for "Tears" will want a break.
True. However, I think that the biggest hurdle is already out of the way; giving birth to something like this is never easy, and then we threw a timetable that was basically unreal at it and demanded it stick. The next tunes needn't be processed in a 4-alarm way.
Agreed...there's no fire to put out on this one. But there should still be a sense of urgency. The more material we add to the FOF site over the next weeks will get people coming back to check for new stuff, thus keeping it fresh on their minds. I think it's beneficial to get it done in a reasonable amount of time, I'd like to keep some of the momentum going so things don't stall. If we can have most or all of the tracks done within a couple days or so, I think that would be ideal.

Dave
_________________________
Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs.
- Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006
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#941821 - 01/04/05 05:41 PM Re: How To: Recording, overdubbing, and sharing tracks remotely
PBBPaul
MP Hall of Fame Member


Registered: 07/31/02
Posts: 2946
Loc: Wonderful World of Cheese - Wi...

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Quote:
Originally posted by offramp:
Quote:
Originally posted by PBBPaul:
[QUOTE]The biggest hurdle, IMHO, will be recruiting quality mixer/masterers since I'm sure that the stellar crew we had for "Tears" will want a break.
True. However, I think that the biggest hurdle is already out of the way; giving birth to something like this is never easy, and then we threw a timetable that was basically unreal at it and demanded it stick. The next tunes needn't be processed in a 4-alarm way.
You are absolutely right. I was thinking more in the way of an ongoing project. And I could be totally wrong - I hope. \:\) Now that this is started, I'd really hate to see it fade and die.
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Our new and improved website
Today's sample tune: Lonesome One

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#941822 - 01/04/05 06:18 PM Re: How To: Recording, overdubbing, and sharing tracks remotely
*** Shoes ***
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Registered: 03/12/04
Posts: 2037
Loc: The Shield's Edge, Canada

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Quote:
Originally posted by PBBPaul:
Quote:
Originally posted by offramp:
Quote:
Originally posted by PBBPaul:
[QUOTE]The biggest hurdle, IMHO, will be recruiting quality mixer/masterers since I'm sure that the stellar crew we had for "Tears" will want a break.
True. However, I think that the biggest hurdle is already out of the way; giving birth to something like this is never easy, and then we threw a timetable that was basically unreal at it and demanded it stick. The next tunes needn't be processed in a 4-alarm way.
You are absolutely right. I was thinking more in the way of an ongoing project. And I could be totally wrong - I hope. \:\) Now that this is started, I'd really hate to see it fade and die.
I read this because I needed the information but saw that it veered OT & called for some sense of definition or scope.

Perhaps we just take each number as it's born of the events and circumstances. These will give new meaning and ideas to our effort as we progress to ward a point where there's material enough for a CD worth or material, 6 or 8 songs. If somebody Record Co. ate some of the cost we'd be able to provide a tangible product for stores. People will pick up a CD sitting by the cashier if the profits go to this cause.
(No doubt this is already being talked about in more professional & identifiable circles)

Yes indeed.... Shoes is dreaming in Technocolor again.
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#941823 - 01/30/05 02:09 AM Re: How To: Recording, overdubbing, and sharing tracks remotely
techristian
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Registered: 11/01/01
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Loc: Windsor,,CANADA

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I would like to see this as an ongoing project continuing even after the tsunami crisis nears resolution.

It will be YEARS before this mess is cleaned up.

Dan
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#941824 - 01/30/05 05:19 PM Re: How To: Recording, overdubbing, and sharing tracks remotely
*** Shoes ***
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Registered: 03/12/04
Posts: 2037
Loc: The Shield's Edge, Canada

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On that note...

This should stand as a lasting contribution to the efforts of those who are there on the ground.

The notion that we eventually shift focus to a body or organization that supports less specific issues but those of great importance (famine, disaster relief or children's health & education) is easy to accept.

There are countless posts of individual work that are more likely to be viewed as property but this bucket of material and collective energy should remain an engine with a cause.

There will always be need in the world and those willing to give freely.
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