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Topic: Top Ideas for the VS
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Randyman...
Planeteer
Member # 6195
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posted 12-05-2002 05:52 AM
I used to have an 880EX and I wanted to be able to isolate my Kick, Snare, L/R Overheads, and Toms 1-4 on SEPERATE TRACKS. The secret to a tight kit, is control over each drum in the kit. Before, I was having to sub-mix my toms through an external mixer. This is HARD if you are recording in the room you are playing in and you are recording YOURSELF! You can't hear the sub-mix properly - and you can't properly gate a stereo tom submix.The 880EX and newer models can record ALL 8 TRACKS AT ONCE! The 880EX only has 6 analog inputs. Get a cheap (or not so cheap) mic pre + A/D converter and you can use all 8 Tracks! I was at GC one day, and saw a "cleoseout" deal on a Tascam TDM-1000 digital mixer. Ended up walking out with it for $375.00! It has 8 analog ins, TDIF I/O, SPDIF I/O, AES I/O, 2 stereo effects, EQ, 4 busses, etc. Much more than just an A/D! Once you have the drums tracked DRY on 1-8, you can have some fun with the effects. This first part has to be done "out of context". First, I would gate just the toms 1-4. Use both effects cards in the DUAL compressor patch with the gates. Insert one gate for each tom (4 total using INS L and INS R). Set gates and add light compression if desired. Bounce these to unused v-tracks. After they are bounced seperately with gating, make another stereo bounce of the tom mix (pan the toms if desired). You might need to copy the tracks back to another track to get back to your original snare, kick, and OH tracks. You could make the stereo sub-mix while gating, but I prefer to record the toms seperately with the gates (printed each tom with a gate) and then make a bounce. Either way will work. Now, you can play the stereo tom mix (already gated), the kick, snare, and overheads. Now, use the same patch, and gate and compress the kick and snare and bounce them to 2 unused v-tracks. You will want to do this "in context" while hearing the toms and overheads. Don't solo the snare and kick! Now you will have a gated/comped kick, a gated/comped snare, 4 gated/comped toms in a sub-mix, and stereo overheads. Now make a "L/R master drum mix" from these tracks on unused v-tracks. You can use the effects for reverb or MTK compression if you want during the bounce. All effects cards are now FREE and you have used a total of 6 gates, 6 compressors, and possibly reverb or MTK compression. You still have the "dry" drum tracks if a re-mix is needed after the rest of the recording is done. I upgraded to the 2480 and was able to bounce this project into it. I was able to ALMOST acheive the same quality mix in the 880EX as I did with the same dry tracks on my 2480! Just took A LOT longer with all of the bouncing. The fact that I don't have to bounce is a godsend, but if you don't mind the extra time, you can get a stidio quality kit out of the 880EX and a single A/D+pre-amp converter - or just the 880EX if you have a smaller kit with only 2 toms! Are we at 100 tips yet? Later  -------------------- But- I am no "Expert". I just have a ridiculous love of audio and electronic gear. I am not trying to step on anyone's toes - just trying to be helpful... Randy Visentine
Audiophile/Musician
Posts: 530 | From: Houston, TX | Registered: Mar 2002
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lowboy55
Planeteer
Member # 3240
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posted 12-11-2002 06:47 AM
OK, I'll add something I heard about once. I call it Mini-micing, or macro recording.
For guitar: use a very small speaker from a broken/crappy/whatever radio, preferably from a car that's sat in the sun a long time! Hopefully the paper will have a slight rip or tear in it. (Makes it that much "better")The crappier sounding the better. You'll keep the amplifier volume low, and you mic really close. (Note: Disconnect your amps normal speakers if you can.)
You can get a variety of different sounds like the "telephone tone" or a nice cheezy distortion!
Here's one I came up with myself: Very close mic on a conga head. Play with fingertips only. Note: the mic must be REALLY close to the fingertips.
Or how about paper clips on bass strings.
Home made rain stick: Use the cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels, filled with dried peas or beans. Tape ends shut, viola! Another tip: if bouncing down this track with others, pan hard from one side to the other.
Another idea: Sing or talk through spinning fan blades.
Aerosol can spray sound. Point AWAY from the mic!
Drills, egg beaters, & other kitchen appliances all make interesting sounds that can be made musical.
And don't forget those old kazoos, penny whistles, childrens toys, etc. Anything that makes noise can be made musical in some way or another.
Oh, and did I mention EFFECTS EFFECTS EFFECTS!
Enjoy!  [ 12-11-2002: Message edited by: lowboy55 ] -------------------- THC
"Yer bass bud"
"All things Bass, and Bass in all things."
Posts: 97 | From: Highland NY | Registered: Nov 2000
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kaptaink
Planeteer
Member # 1774
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posted 12-11-2002 03:26 PM
Very creative, Lowboy!  Although mine here isn't really specifically a "VS tip"...
Along those lines, I have found that those metal measuring cups for cooking make great go-go bells.  Also, those big stainless steel mixing bowls, partly filled with water, make a cool flex-a-tone sound when struck and tilted to make the liquid swirl. Bon appetite, -Chef K [ 12-11-2002: Message edited by: kaptaink ]
Posts: 1010 | From: The Kapt. is IN THE HOUSE, Alliance, OH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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goner
Planeteer
Member # 4056
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posted 12-16-2002 06:32 AM
One thing that really helped me was buying a Conductor Stand. I set the VS on that and set it to any angle that helps me EASILY view the controls and display, depending on the chair I'm sitting in. Actually I stole this idea from gvlive who had one (or one similar) set up in his studio when I visited him over the summer. Previously I had the VS sitting flat on a table or desk, and always had to stand up to see what the hell was going on or where this button or that control was. Man that's an annoyance I'm glad to forget! Having it angled to suit my positioning makes a lot of difference. And running the VS at an angle seems to make no difference in the disk operation or speed.The VS fits PERFECTLY on this stand. It's called a Conductor Stand, model SM7211BC, made by On-Stage Stands. I got mine at GC a while back. It was relatively cheap as I recall, and it's durable, with a tripod base, and angles easily. One of my best VS-related investments (I don't work for them ). goner -------------------- goner Calm down and eat your nuts...
Posts: 1301 | From: The Ministry of Silly Walks | Registered: Jun 2001
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