Topic: What are you using??? (Read 2729 times)

charvelguy · « **on:** January 14, 2009, 09:53:32 AM »

This is a blanket question to anyone out on this forum. What type of recording software are you using, and why is it working for you? What are the features you particularly like? I am using a Roland VS-1680 to record all of my live instruments. Guitar, bass, vocals and drums from my Alesis SR-16. After I have all of that done, I send it all to one track of my computer recording software(Sequel by Steinberg). I have found that in this software, live tracks take up too much memory, and after putting another 1M(to give me a total of 1.5M) of ram into my machine I can still only get about 4 live tracks into it without a lot of pops and clicks. Now that I have about 7 or 8 tracks all riding on one track of my Sequel software, I can add almost as many virtual instuments that I want. Synth, stings, horns, percusion, etc. Then I can compress stuff, add global effects, maximize the overall volume etc. This works out for me very well. Sequel has over 600 virtual instument sounds to choose from so enhancing a song can get very elaborate.

Tell me about your set up. I'd love hear from you!!!

stainless · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2009, 12:36:19 PM »

I'm currently using ProTools LE 7.4 on a Mac- 002R interface with a Presonus Digimax so I can (when needed) record up to 16 live tracks simultaneously... which has almost happened a few times (15). I have a Control 24 console to make the mixing process a bit easier.

The Mac has 3 GB of memory, but I seldom use more than 1.3 - 1.4 GB of memoery- I have not yet reached track capacity on 7.4 (32) and the new 8.0 jumps to 48 audio tracks. My highest has been 29 with lots of plug-ins and no issues, though every once in a while I'll get an error message and have to restart the session (and I think this is a plug-in issue and not really a memory problem)

most off what I do is live tracks, though I have a Roland midi controller and a zillion samples... but beyond learning how to make it all function, I've not used ot much.

The drum kit is fairly recent, and a second shot of the control/mix room
I have the latest version of ProTools, but I've not yet been in the right frame of mind to do it... sometimes they go go really smooth... othertimes it's an entire day or 2 to get everything wotking correctly

charvelguy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2009, 01:34:49 PM »

How much does pro-tools LE run? Does it utilize resources more efficiently? I know pro-tools is the standard, but I have never seen it or used it. What are the features that make it so darn good? If I could sell off my VS-1680 and get something that makes my computer run better, then I could record everything into that. There is so much info, and product out there its tough to find what works well across many platforms.

Thanks for replying...More info welcome

stainless · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2009, 01:52:03 PM »

The DAW for Protools is proprietary so you'd need to get an M-Box, oo2 or 003 - the 003's are fairly new and more of a cosmetic makeover of the 002- and there are 002's being sold for $400 - $600 (either as a result of upgrading or getting out of recording) this would typically include some version of PT- upgrades are ~ 150 (Sweetwater, etc)

I've been using Protools since 2000, before that I dabbled in Sonar and Cakewalk, and recently used Cubebase a bit- every platform has it's fans and critcs- with my limited exposure to other programs I'm not a good choice of someone making a A to B comparison- For me it is what I know-

I have run Protools on both a PC and a Mac- in general I'd now have to say Mac's are a far superior computer- we just replaced my wifes PC with a Mac- true they cost more, but there's an immediately noticeable difference in performance

If I were to change platforms I'd move to Reaper- nice features, cheap, non-proprietary

the pops and clicks sounds more like a A/D conversion issue, but I'm not familiar with the Roland, the Alesis, or Sequel

my advise is to really research before you make the investment and buy the best you can afford- (there's a reason why some brands/models cost more... though sometimes you're paying for the name) and look at all the bells and whistles

and most important, try and find someone running the software you're interested in and ask to sit and look over their sholder (I have a long ... and growing longer... distrust of store sales people)

charvelguy · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2009, 02:05:39 PM »

I think actually, the pops and clicks are from my buffer size which I try to keep as low as possible to avoid latency issues.

Also, unfortunately I have now what I can afford. $99 sequel software, $300 vs-1680, $69 MXL 990 mic, $40 art tube preamp. I also have a cheap compressor I use for vocals.
I also recently bought a m-audio oxygen49 midi controller. I love that thing so far. It allows me to better utilize the numerous virtual instruments in sequel. I'll see if I can post my latest recording. Its a cover of a popular Christian song. This is my version of it.

stainless · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2009, 04:08:30 PM »

Can you make the wave form bigger so there's more detail? (does Sequel show the waveform?) If so and you can see spikes where the pops and clicks are, that happened when it was recorded/mixed/or imported... meaning your A/D converter

Protools has a "low-latency" mode which essentiaLLY DISABLES plug-ins on the track being recorded (and I think maybe any unsaved tracks that are just playing back... seems they continue to work)

The plug ins during recording is not an issue to me as I record most things 'dry'

Michael Jolie , OktavaMod has an amazing upgrade for the MXL-990... it is more than the mic cost ($149 for the mod) but what a difference!

also, if you replace the tube in your pre with a NOS RCA, Phillips, Mullard, etc, you will notice a difference over the imported tubes that they typically come with

charvelguy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2009, 04:24:23 PM »

Yes I can zoom in on the wave form to see things closer. There really isn't anything there, I just hear it on playback if there is too many tracks running. Sequel put in a new Freeze Track feature that you cn use so your processor doesn't have to work so hard.

I also read one of your previous posts where you talked about the OKtavaMod. I went to the guys website and looked around a bit. Seems pretty cool.

Thanks for the info on the tubes. I guess I would never have replaced it unless it went bad. Now I know there are ways to make it sound better.

See...I'm learning new stuff already.

Thanks

stainless · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2009, 04:31:47 PM »

as an afterthought-

when you track live instrumenst, do you record in one take or punch in and out such that you end up with track made up of multiple regions?

charvelguy · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2009, 04:48:17 PM »

I usually try to get the whole thing in one take. If I mess up in the middle of it, I just delete the whole take and make another go at it from the beginning. This probably takes longer, but that's the way I like to do it. One screw up and the whole track goes out, and I do another take until I get it right. Luckily I am doing all the stuff myself or somebody might get pissed.

stainless · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2009, 05:29:02 PM »

my reason for asking is because on some programs when you punch in and out/piece things together, that will cause clicks and pops

RawDepth · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2009, 06:28:35 AM »

Quote from: charvelguy on January 14, 2009, 09:53:32 AM

This is a blanket question to anyone out on this forum. What type of recording software are you using, and why is it working for you? What are the features you particularly like? I am using a Roland VS-1680 to record all of my live instruments. Guitar, bass, vocals and drums from my Alesis SR-16. After I have all of that done, I send it all to one track of my computer recording software(Sequel by Steinberg). I have found that in this software, live tracks take up too much memory, and after putting another 1M(to give me a total of 1.5M) of ram into my machine I can still only get about 4 live tracks into it without a lot of pops and clicks. Now that I have about 7 or 8 tracks all riding on one track of my Sequel software, I can add almost as many virtual instuments that I want. Synth, stings, horns, percusion, etc. Then I can compress stuff, add global effects, maximize the overall volume etc. This works out for me very well. Sequel has over 600 virtual instument sounds to choose from so enhancing a song can get very elaborate.

Tell me about your set up. I'd love hear from you!!!

Hi charvelguy.
I have a self-built PC in a rack mounted case. I installed an RME sound card. (HDSP9652 with 24 channels in and 24 out.) I use Adobe Audition software and really do love it. It has all the power and features of any other software out there but is much easier to learn and use. (I've demo'ed several.) Once you get comfortable with it you'll discover you can do almost anything. Advanced track editing, punch-ins, easy routing, mastering, multi-point surround sound mixes, import video tracks, compile and burn redbook CD's, and the list goes on. ...And it is stable to boot! It has never crashed on me in 4 years of use.

charvelguy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 22, 2009, 08:49:56 AM »

Thanks for the reply, Sounds like a cool set up. I would like to learn more about Adobe Audition. Does it support third party plug-ins? VSTs? Its always interseting to see how other people are doing it, and why they are doing that way.

RawDepth · « **Reply #12 on:** January 22, 2009, 04:33:10 PM »

Quote from: charvelguy on January 22, 2009, 08:49:56 AM

Does it support third party plug-ins? VSTs?

Yes it does, as long as you have at least version 2.0 or higher, (3.0 is the current latest version,) In audio software, the two most popular plug-in types (or languages) are Virtual Studio Technology (VST) and DirectX (DX.) It uses both types. It comes with 40 or 50 already built in to cover almost any task. But I have added a few plugs from Antares and Waves, plus a few freebie ones that I downloaded here and there. Some other companies have some proprietary types like iVST or something, but I've never tried to install those.

It also uses the industry standard ASIO hardware drivers and has support for ReWire import and export.

thebigcheese · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2009, 11:40:24 PM »

I use Reaper, www.reaper.fm. I like it because the non-commercial license is cheap ($50, I think), but it gives me just as many features as industry-standard programs like Pro Tools, but is more streamlined. It runs on pretty much any computer with just about any hardware, too, which is what I really like about it. I don't have to worry about buying Pro Tools hardware to use with it. You can download it to try out for free, so give it a shot!

severecritic · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2009, 06:03:36 AM »

hai!!!

i am using reaper. what is your openion about reaper, please justify?

mzeddot · « **Reply #15 on:** October 31, 2009, 12:51:55 AM »

I use fruity loops. It works great!! Has everything I want. Plug-ins, nice interface and easy to use sequencer.

Robin.bjerke · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2010, 08:33:12 AM »

Hey guys, my first post here.

At home I am using both pro tools LE 8 (Mbox 2) and Logic Pro 8. I work as a freelance producer an engineer at a norwegian commercial recording studio in Oslo (www.urbansound.no).

I am absolutely in love with pro tools, and I think this is because it is a very "out of the box" approach to a DAW. It works excellently as a pure multitrack recorder, and the mixer has a very logical and "analougue" feel to it. Editing is also stunningly easy and intuitive, and now that PT8 has come out it even has one of the best Midi editors and scoring editors I have ever seen. So a definite thumbs up to pro tools.

As I mentioned above, I also use Logic Pro. I'm using it basically because I got a copy of the logic pro 8 bundle on my mac G5 that I am currently using. So I figured I would try and get to grips with it.

For mixing, its nice. The mixer is intuitive, and the way it links all the auxilaries together with the tracks is nice. It is definitely an intuitive and natural daw to use, allthough here lies the main problem for me. I am working on a project where the client did most of the recordings at home on logic, so I am exclusively using logic during tracking sessions. I find logic to be almost impossible to work with when it comes to fine details, especially in editing. The lack of a low latency mode and the fact that you only have two controlls readily available. I also found the intuitiveness to be somewhat counter intuitive at times, because logic would try to help you out by doing the wrong things.

Quite agravating. But then again, I am a child of pro tools and more importantly of analougue recording and mixing, and I have problems using pure, digital DAW's. What I like about pro tools is that it is created to supplement and strengthen an analougue recording environment.

Wow... I do go on and on, hope you guys found my post to be somewhat interesting.

stainless · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2010, 11:37:25 PM »

Robin

welcome to HRS!

your comments regrading Logic I found interesting- I've been a PT user since 2001 and have recently contemplated moving to Logic 9, mainly because it frees me from the proprietary hardware restraints ProTools encumbers one with. It was my understanding that there was delay compensation, something that PTLE lacks

Robin.bjerke · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2010, 03:24:44 AM »

Hey,

True, true. Logic is nice for mixing, even though I have been bouncing between logic and PT on this one project I am mixing, and am actually getting clearer and more defined, in your face mixes through PT.

Then again, I do not overdose on plugins, preferring to use the bare minimum to get the tracks to sound right. For me the issue about logic is how it tries to help you out in really unhelpful ways, but its all down to what you're used to. I'm sure logic users have the same problem with PT, or Cubase for that matter.

stainless · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2010, 12:25:08 PM »

I'm not a big user of plug-ins anymore, spending more time getting a solid recorded track that doesn't require "fixing in the mix"

and I now use stereo busses for those plug in's i do use

I also work with a "pool" of musicians and I've learned they're sound, so if there is a nasally pitch/harshness I'll put EQ on the input signal chain, or if I know thew belt out certain consonant's I'll use a tube compressor after the pre

I find the more novice musicians, and often the self-producing ones to be most guilty of using Fx's

I need to find someone local with Logic and sit in on a session!

gaz7224 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2010, 01:42:27 PM »

I'm thinking about using Cubase 5 for multi-track recordings using a Motu 896mk3. I've always used Cubase for Midi stuff, and I like it, so I thought I would continue with it.

How well would this set-up work?

Why have I chosen a MOTU? I just feel it seems a simple thing to use. I would also use it for 'hardware' FX and Compressors, as Cubase allows for that.

I have a physical disability, so I'm looking an interface that is mostly PC/software controllable. The MOTU is, except for the gains (I think?). I want an interface with pre-amps built in, which means there has to be physical gain knobs/pots - is that right?

Gaz

stainless · « **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2010, 03:07:57 PM »

I've only used Cubase LE, but it seems a workable platform

yes, mic pre's should have a physical input gain control, a switch for padding the input is helpful and if you're using mic's in close proximity to each other a phase switch is also helpful

I think one of the new Presonus 8 channel (Octopre?) ADAT out has some kind of auto gain reduction or handling function (meant to handle drum transients)

Robin.bjerke · « **Reply #22 on:** January 30, 2010, 07:12:25 PM »

Hey,

Cubase 5 is a very nice program. I used Cubase Studio 4 and SX3 for a bit and like it alot, though I still prefer PT.

The motu is a very good option for you. Not sure about the price, but I haveheard good things about the sound quality, and it does include 8 mic pre's. I beleive it does have the accompanying 8 gain knobs, if not the gain and pad etc. settings are most likely controlled from a control panel on your computer.

One thing worth mentioning to look out for, which I noticed to a high degree today while tracking a band (15 channels, 9 on drums with the other 6 on guitars and bass) is to make sure your mic pre's have a pad switch. This is, insanely, useful.

I had an sm57 on snare top and a condenser small membrane which I cant recall the name of on snare bottom, and even the 57 was clipping at the lowest value. Luckily I had some hardware preamps that I could use for the condenser, and luckily the sm57 wasnt clipping too badly.

Another thing is that when you crank the gain up on a preamp you really open up the sound sonically. Something I also noticed when one of the guitarists cranked up the volume on his cab, which meant I had to gain down, and it sounded really tame and boxy compared to the lower level/higher gain setting. Ended up telling the guitarist what every guitarists dreads to hear.

If you want tips about microphones and microphone techniques you can check out my blog http://lydhjornet.blogspot.com/

I try to add posts at least once a week. Been a bit patchy of late. But the idea is to just basically write about sound tech stuff, mixing techniques and mic techniques and the likes.

Good luck with the Cubase Rig!

RawDepth · « **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2010, 02:41:00 AM »

Hello Robin and welcome.

What is Logic Pro? Does it come with pro tools hardware or is it a stand-alone program that works with any interface?

Robin.bjerke · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2010, 03:12:58 AM »

Logc Pro is Apples proprietary DAW.

It runs off the Core Audio driver and can be used in conjunction with any interface on the market. It can also be used without an internface, running off of the internal audio of your PC/MAC.

News:

Author Topic: What are you using??? (Read 2729 times)