Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Questions About Recording

#1

I’ve started dabbling with digital recording on my Tascam DP-008 EX. I’m recording several instruments: banjo, guitar, mandolin (just a chop) and bass.

  1. Which track should I record first? It will be the track that I listen to when recording the other tracks. I’m guessing guitar or bass? Or, perhaps the first track should be a metronome. What are your thoughts?

  2. I have a Shure SM57 mic. I’m getting a bit of static when recording. Could that be the mic or related to the fact that I may have a cheap cable?

  3. Is there an optimal distance between the mic and instrument?

  4. Any tips or tricks that you advise?

Thanks,

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#2

When we recorded our album we did scratch bass first, then scratch guitar and then I think we did mandolin, banjo, dobro, and fiddle in different order for each song. Then vocals If you’re doing any and then final bass and guitar

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#3
  1. I almost always record rhythm guitar with a click track first. It might even be a “scratch” vocal track, as well. The goal is to get the structure down with good timing. Second is bass followed by other instruments and finally lead then harmony vocals.
  2. SM57 is a solid choice. Determine if the static carries through to the final product. If so, process of elimination is in order to find the source of static. It could even be unrelated appliances on the same circuit like fluorescent lighting.
  3. Distance from the mic will be determined by experimentation. It will vary with different instruments and mics. Some issues can be helped with compression but it’s best to get optimal gain and EQ while recording.
  4. Stress is the enemy. Like many people, I can play a break or something just right 50 times in a row but as soon as I hit record I flub it. Don’t sweat it…tape is cheap as they say.
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#4

What do you guys mean by “scratch”? I’m a newbie to this. TIA

#5

@mharrison43 I can really relate to your answer to number 4. :-/

#6

Scratch means it is intended to be replaced later. That is not always the case. If it’s good it’s good!

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#7

Which track should I record first? It will be the track that I listen to when recording the other tracks. I’m guessing guitar or bass? Or, perhaps the first track should be a metronome. What are your thoughts?

i use guitar as a scratch track as stated above.
I also use the internal metronome on the machine, while recording. You don’t need to record a metronome track…you can play it while recording and it won’t get recorded if you’re using headphones…just set it to “record only”

I have a Shure SM57 mic. I’m getting a bit of static when recording. Could that be the mic or related to the fact that I may have a cheap cable?

Could be either or a loose connection/wire.
Could also be a faulty electrical source i/e; fan running on same circuit, bad grounding, some lighting, etc.
Compare the built-in mics with your external mic and see if you still hear the interference…this could rule out the mic & cord…
Double check (move around) headphone connection for looseness

Is there an optimal distance between the mic and instrument?
Depends on the room acoustics, gain used, instrument volume, and desired sound. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

Any tips or tricks that you advise?
I have that machine and find the built-in mics to be superior to All the mics I own including Shure 57 & 58, EV RE200, AT 2050, and EV N/D767a.

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#8

@Fiddle_wood What machine are you talking about?

#9

@Shaky_loves_banjo… the Tascam DP-008 EX

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#10

@Fiddle_wood… thanks for the response. I’m surprised to hear that the built-in mics are superior. I’ll try them.

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#11

Guitar first most of the time for the scratch track here.

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#12

I was a bit surprised myself.

Let me know what you think…

I do still use me EV 767a for vocals, but I’ve gone to using the built ins for all instruments unless I want a really “close” fiddle sound.

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#13

This is a great thread. I’m trying to get skilled up on Garage Band!

#14

I think a scratch guitar first is the way to go. Then get a bass laid down. You might be able to do them (especially the bass) well enough to keep them. Then play the “lead” instruments over that.

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#15

Follow up…

  • I’m using Ben’s MP3 as my scratch track. A good baseline track ensures that I’m recording against a track with correct timing.
  • My bass and guitar tracks sound pretty good. I’d never played a bass until last week. I bought this acoustic bass from the General Store last week… Gold Tone Acoustic Bass. Fun stuff and it’s a whole lot cheaper than buying an upright bass.
  • Good news, bad news… the bad news is that by listening to the recording I now know that my banjo playing is horrendous (and here I thought that I was doing pretty good). The good news is that I’m smart enough to know that my picking skills are bad. I plan on fixing that by playing “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” at least a million times. I have to be able to nail this before the April Cabin Camp.
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#16

Did you figure out you’re static issue?

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#17

@Fiddle_wood… I didn’t try to figure it out. I started using the internal mic instead. As you stated, I find the internal mic to be MUCH superior to the Shure. Thanks for the tip!

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