Recording Direct, the simplicity of it all...

[Tony Prior]

So it's no secret I play Tele's as well as Steel. I gig 4 to 6 times a month , I record 6 song CD' s and sell them at our shows for $5 , I try to complete a new 6 track CD every few months , all country songs, all Instrumentals, predominantly Steel. Everyone wants to spend $5 ! As my friend Carl says, " I'm making Tens of Dollars "

Here is the latest track, everything recorded direct thru one of 2 external preamps to the DAW, Pro Tools 12. The process is simple, I use templates for the sessions and over the past year or so I have written multiple dynamics and EQ patches with the most important EQ patch being the one that eliminates low end mud and shuts everything off above 16K which is where internet streaming cuts off.

The Bass track EQ cuts everything off under 80 HZ on this one.

I keep the master fader in the -4 to -2 meter range when the final mix is being bounced.

Each track input level is just below saturation while tracking .

I use EQ on each track very sparingly , in many cases, no EQ patch at all. My tones are what they are ahead of the DAW, printed to the track. This song below has a RAW Tele track with no added EQ on the DAW track. ( short solo in the middle) I should add that one of the pre-amps I use is the DBX 376 which has a 4 band parametric on board.

I try not to reinvent the wheel with each session. I do try to play BETTER each session.

I record direct almost all of the time, well, of course, I use mics for vocals , Dobro and Mandolins should I use them.

Oh yeah, BIAB for programmed drums. It doesn't drool or need any food ! Now and then I will use some programmed Instruments as long as they fit.

By the way, I am required to play 2 Instrumentals at each gig which are Country Dance Hall gigs, so from that came the CD's.

All direct, this entire project is in the 4 hour window , A to Z. No mastering.

Lonely Street , an excellent classic ballad

http://www.tprior.com/lonely%20%20street%20%20.mp3

For me, tracking is all about the process, using what worked previously and bringing it forward. Trying NOT to reinvent the wheel with each session but also adding a couple of new DAW tips with each session. I find it darn hard to wear a creativity hat when I get stuck in a DAW rut !

[Mike Selecky]

Tony - that was really nice - great playing all around - sounds like you have your recording process down to a science!

[Dale Rottacker]

Tony, I always look forward to your insight and experience regarding recording, which by the way, was very nice...

I haven’t abandoned recording with a mic, yet, though considering the last time I did, you might conclude that I had...

I really like the convenience of recording direct, not having to worry about mic placement and what all else may be in different positions than the last time and how that may effect the sound... I love using templates in the DAW too, but still haven’t settled 100% on how that will look, as far as what plugin’s I may use regularly though I’m pretty close.

So I always find it interesting to see what you and a few others are doing and how you’re all approaching it.

Thanks

[Godfrey Arthur]

I find it darn hard to wear a creativity hat when I get stuck in a DAW rut !

Soulful track.

The hat you're talking about is producer-engineer-musician-arranger-roadie-critic-publicist.

[Tony Prior]

I find it darn hard to wear a creativity hat when I get stuck in a DAW rut !

Soulful track.

The hat you're talking about is producer-engineer-musician-arranger-roadie-critic-publicist.

I like the yellow one best !

[Ray DeVoe]

Hi Tony

I have been doing a little direct recording at home for myself for awhile now. I recently changed some equipment and ran into some problems. I probably should make this a new topic but I thought that I would run it by you and the guys on this thread first.

Did you have any problems with what I think is ground loop hum?

I come out of Revelation tube preamp directly into a Focusrite interface. I use the two 1/4" outputs on the back of the interface to go to two 12" EV 2 way powered speakers which the steel and the tracks are playing through. I have what I think is 60 cycle hum or noise. The only way I have been able to get around it is to put the 2 EV speakers on a separate power strip outlet and I have the ground lifted on the outlet strip by way of one of the 3 to 2 prong adaptors. ( not good for the system I'm sure ). I tried using it on one speaker alone and that did not do the trick.

I tried plugging the EV's into one of my rack power conditioners and that did not help with the issue at all.

Is there a better way to perform direct recording than the way I am doing it.

Thanks
Ray D

[Tony Prior]

It's hard to say Ray, all of my gear is plugged into the exact same AC receptacle , it's very quiet. I would start there. If it is noisy I would first move the main power to feed even from another room to see if that helps. or if there is any difference.

Are you experiencing the HUM with Instruments not even plugged into the preamps or interfaces ?

Unplug everything from the interface to the PC , is there hum ?

If not

Plug stuff back in to the interface ONE AT A TIME

what happens?

[Ray DeVoe]

Thanks Tony for the suggestions

I have tried a couple of other outlets and it did not change anything.

This hum happens even when there are no instruments plugged into the Interface so its not picking up the noise from the preamp.

Its really odd as just removing the ground on one powered speaker does not eliminate the hum. It has to be lifted on both.

In the past, I used an old Kenwood stereo system for the play through. It had its own amplifier and had two large full range speaker cabinets. It was not a real high gain setup and that probably hid some of the noise ?

I keep trying to trouble shoot the system as time permits.

By the way, great job on Lonely Street. I just listened to it on the EV speakers and it sounds great. Great tone and smooth tasteful playing. The EV's do not work bad at all with the ground lifted but that's not a great way to run them.

Thanks
Ray

[Ray DeVoe]

Hey Guys

I finally found the problem. I was using balanced cables in the system but one is defective.

A trip to Guitar Centers and some money took care of the situation. I definitely bought higher quality cables this time to use between the interface and the EV powered speakers.

Thanks for all of the suggestions and help.

Ray DeVoe

[Tony Prior]

A trip to Guitar Centers and some money took care of the situation.

well there ya have it... excellent Ray, glad it's all worked out . It's only money...


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[Robert Tripp]

Sounds really good Tony. Wish mine sounded that good, but they are better than when I started.