{From Pit} My band can't decide how to record

[GuitarGuy77]

My, band is looking to record a demo this summer, we have already tried recording using some old crappy mic into our computer while we play our songs, and obviously, the quality wasn't that good.

So we are arguing about how to attempt to make a not-so half assed demo. Our options are:

Going to one of many studios around town and getting the recording done at least relatively professionaly, we have found a place that does recordings for 15$ and hour, and so that doesn't seem like a very bad deal at all.

The other option would be to rent all the mics necessary as well as an at least 10 input mixer and run that into our computer. The plan is to get all the levels set up for each guitar, vocals and then have several mics recording the drums and then just hit record and have each instrument in the same room all playing together, and use that 1 cut as the finished product.

I dont think that the second option would work very well, because each mic would be picking up all the extra noise from the other instruments, thus taking away from the quality. My brother doesn't seem to beleive it would have that big an effect on the sound. I want to make sure we have a good recording that we can use as a demo to send to clubs and such, but also something that I won't be ashamed of selling for 8 or 10$ (CDN) a peice.

So, have any of you had any experience recording in the second way? or have any thoughts on what we should do?
Thanks alot in advance to all helpful posters.

[moaner]

i'll deal with your 2nd option first:

You record one instrument at a time. you odn't have to, but take it from experience, until you can afford soundbooths and all, do it seperately.
But, $15 is not much at all, and you'd have trouble finding somehwere to rent the stuff. I say go talk to the sound tech at your local studio and see if it looks like a
decent sort of place.

[naw mean mang?]

i'd say go to the studio 15$ an hour is very cheap for recording prices

[ClayTheJ]

I'd go to the studio as well, my band is in the same hole as you. Our closest studio that offers good quality is 30 dollars an hour. So if I were you I would most likely go for the studio, then if you make money off of your demo you could possibly buy what you want to record at your own pace and whenever you want too.

[KKKKKocaine]

See if the studio has any demo's of previous work, find out their equipment and experience, and if it's decent, go to them, that's a very cheap studio and if decent, it will save you some major headaches and fumbling for your wallets.

[chicoplanetDOTcom]

Recording at home or in a school studio can be difficult. I have a recording studio and recording a live full band in one room will without a doubt be a nightmare. As the earlier poster said, if you decide to record in one room, then record each instrument separately! You may have a pretty good chance at making a decent recording that way if you have a good ear. Many a good song have been recorded that way. Also, you should research the methods of recording in your home. There is a lot of science behind recording, so dont expect just to record and end up with something cd quality.

Recording through a computer really is a great option actually, and there is a lot of info out there for you to read on it. I personally dont feel that anyone should go spend money on a nice soundcard to get a good recording though. You are screwing yourself in the end. Try recording through a firwire port. There are many interfaces for doing so, and firewire records real sound at realtime. The soundcard just has to be able to handle the bitrate and thats it. Again, a nice soundcard only gets so nice. You might as well record to ADAT to get real sound. I know a lot of professional studios that record through M-audio firewire equipment and come out with extremely high-end sounding recordings. It is definitely something to look into.

Most of all, get those mics set up right, watch your levels so you arent clipping and record at the highest volume you can so that you dont need much compression when mastering. Good luck and if you need any help email me.

[moaner]

Recording at home or in a school studio can be difficult. I have a recording studio and recording a live full band in one room will without a doubt be a nightmare. As the earlier poster said, if you decide to record in one room, then record each instrument separately! You may have a pretty good chance at making a decent recording that way if you have a good ear. Many a good song have been recorded that way. Also, you should research the methods of recording in your home. There is a lot of science behind recording, so dont expect just to record and end up with something cd quality.

Recording through a computer really is a great option actually, and there is a lot of info out there for you to read on it. I personally dont feel that anyone should go spend money on a nice soundcard to get a good recording though. You are screwing yourself in the end. Try recording through a firwire port. There are many interfaces for doing so, and firewire records real sound at realtime. The soundcard just has to be able to handle the bitrate and thats it. Again, a nice soundcard only gets so nice. You might as well record to ADAT to get real sound. I know a lot of professional studios that record through M-audio firewire equipment and come out with extremely high-end sounding recordings. It is definitely something to look into.

Most of all, get those mics set up right, watch your levels so you arent clipping and record at the highest volume you can so that you dont need much compression when mastering. Good luck and if you need any help email me.


you sir, are going to fit in very well around here.

Hey, kk, looks like we got ourselves another smart one!

[larry_emder]

How do i go about recording through this firewire port? i've got no idea what youre talking about there, sounds good but - enlighten me