How do YOU Record?

[lysis]

Alright, I dabble in recording already existing songs, just so I can get better at recording. Currently I use an iMac 24" with an M-Audio MobilePre USB device to record into either GarageBand or Logic Studio 8. When recording the drums, I had initially planned on just plugging the drums into the MobilePre and just recording . . . but now I'm seeing other people plugging them into additional devices, or using particular software packages. What do some of you do to record, and why? The only thing I can think of is that you're looking to use sounds that are not on the module, but does it sound as "good" when not using the module's sounds?

[ThrottledU]

I'd be interested in seeing some responses to this as I'm wanting to do some recording myself and a little unsure of how to start and how to get motivation/inspiration and all that

[JrummerJ]

My home setup is a set of DIY e-drums, ddrum 4SE module, Roland TMC6, a macbook pro, M-Audio firewire 410, M-audio Axiom 61, AT 2020 condenser mic, Audix i5 dynamic mic, some stands, pop filter. I am running Pro Tools M-Powered 7.3 and using EZdrummer, Nashville EZX, DFH EZX (hate it), and Superior 2.0. Still need some decent monitors, but I really don't do much mixing at my house so they are on the backburner. I just use some Altec PC speakers and Sennheiser HD280s.

In our practice room, I have a Tama Starclassic Performer kit. It is mic'd up with some cheap CAD mics, an Audix D1 on the snare, and some cheap Nady OHs. I have the Behringer 2442 mixer (never buying one of theirs again), which I use to creat my own in-ear mix and/or to send direct outs to the Delta 1010 we have for recording. We must have a dozen SM57s, but not much else over there. Our guitar player is the mic guy, he has a small fortune in mics and runs a Digi002 system.

To answer your question about the software: Yes, these are samples stored on the computer, triggered via midi from your module. Yes, they sound much better than what comes on any module out today. They require a decent computer with a couple gigs of RAM, at least.

J

[lysis]

sounds like a pretty sweet setup, J. So EZDrummer is what gives you the better drum sounds, and the EZX's are the expansion packs for EZ Drummer. When you say Superior 2.0 I assume you mean the other software by Toon?

I'm just in awe that software can sound better than the drums. I mean, I know it's possible, but it just seems kind of sad really - some people have a $2000 brain (TD-20) and it seems like even they are using software like EZDrummer. I thought the VEX kits were designed to make the onboard sounds of the TD-xx series sound amazing? Are they just not amazing enough? Not realistic enough?

[JrummerJ]

sounds like a pretty sweet setup, J. So EZDrummer is what gives you the better drum sounds, and the EZX's are the expansion packs for EZ Drummer. When you say Superior 2.0 I assume you mean the other software by Toon?

I'm just in awe that software can sound better than the drums. I mean, I know it's possible, but it just seems kind of sad really - some people have a $2000 brain (TD-20) and it seems like even they are using software like EZDrummer. I thought the VEX kits were designed to make the onboard sounds of the TD-xx series sound amazing? Are they just not amazing enough? Not realistic enough?

Well, I think that problem with the top modules from Roland is that the sounds are all modeled, and not actual samples. With Toontrack Superior, you've got high end drums, tuned well, and recorded in an awesome studio with all pro gear (mics, preamps), and done by a engineer who really knows his stuff.

It is impossible for me to get even close to quality of Superior on my acoustic kit or from the samples on my ddrum library, some of which include : Simon Phillips, Dennis Chambers, etc.

Go and listen to the demos at Toontrack, FXpansion (BFD), Addictive drums, and tell me what you think....

J

[Hercules]

Hi lysis,

I use ProTools 7.4 on a Vista PC with a Delta 1010 as the basis of my studio:
- sometimes going direct from the SPD/IF output on the TD-20 to the SPD/IF input on M-Audio PCI card
- and sometimes using the (up to 8) analag direct outs on the TD-20 and going in to a Yamaha analog mixer and then into the 8 analog inputs on the 1010 if I want more separation on the individual kit parts

I'm quite happy with the sounds I can get from the TD-20 so I don't use BFD or any of the other kit sounds software... and I'm finding that I'm using the Yamaha mixer less for recording and more for just foldback now.

[lysis]

Hi lysis,

I use ProTools 7.4 on a Vista PC with a Delta 1010 as the basis of my studio:
- sometimes going direct from the SPD/IF output on the TD-20 to the SPD/IF input on M-Audio PCI card
- and sometimes using the (up to 8) analag direct outs on the TD-20 and going in to a Yamaha analog mixer and then into the 8 analog inputs on the 1010 if I want more separation on the individual kit parts

I'm quite happy with the sounds I can get from the TD-20 so I don't use BFD or any of the other kit sounds software... and I'm finding that I'm using the Yamaha mixer less for recording and more for just foldback now.

oooo BFD sounds cool. I think I like the drumming style of the sample I listened to better on BFD than on ToonTracks. I'm pretty sure they're both essentially the same thing - really nice drum sounds.

[SuperPuss]

Like Hercules, I'm running Protools 7.4. I recently added Toontrack Superior 2 and am LOVING it. I also have the VEX Drummers Dream and the VEX guys have done some amazing things with the Roland sounds.

I'm finding at present I'm using the Superior 2 sounds for most of my current work in the studio.
My studio rig now consists of a new Quad core PC with 4GB RAM running Protools 7.4 with the Music Production Toolkit, Waves Mercury, Superior 2 with the Twisted Kit expansion, Reason 4 with reason Pianos and Abbey Road Keyboards and my Digi002r. Also recently added to that is a new dual core laptop also with 4 GB RAM and running the above software along with the CS80v, ARP2600v and Moog Modular V soft synths through a Mbox 2 Pro firewire interface and a Motu Midi Timepiece AV midi and sync box. For live recording, I track through Reaper on the laptop using my Mackie Onyx desk and later import all the audio into Protools for mixing and mastering.

I guess you could say I am a bit of a fan of recent software synthesis and sampling solutions. To be honest, the Toontrack stuff and the above soft synths are nothing short of amazing.
I must also add that I am still a big fan of hardware synths and acoustic sounds and have a room full of analog synthesizers that I will never substitute or sell. After I complete the latest incarnation of my SuperGAS cage, I'm going to start work on an acoustic percussion cage to go with it for times when I want the subtleties and nuances only acoustic cymbals (and other instruments) can provide.