My home recording set up

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 18 Apr 2015 9:31 pm

67 Emmons w/ Tonealigner pickups
Goodrich volume pedal
Milkman mini w/ JBL D120

Lawson Fet 47
FMR Audio Really nice mic pre
FMR RNC
RME Fireface UCX

Pro tools

I use a Sarno V8 for direct recording when I need to. I have also been using the V8 as a pre amp/DI for string bass at home.[/code]

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 19 Apr 2015 5:10 am

Bob, if it were my set up, I'd move the amp away from the back wall and further away from the PSG so the amp mic does not pick up pedal noise. Also, with ProTools, do you really still need the RNC? I have one but it sits on a shelf unplugged.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 19 Apr 2015 4:42 pm

I play pretty loud when I record with a mic so pedal noise has never been an issue. I use the RNC on an extremely low setting at this point. It only kicks in a tiny bit every once in a while to round off an occasional peak. I don't use plugins at all when I track. I also don't edit or mix anything when I do remote recording. I just send raw full takes. I seem to stay more musical that way and most of the producers that use me prefer a raw, clear sound.

That Lawson FET 47 is an awesome mic for steel.

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 19 Apr 2015 5:28 pm

Nice looking set up, Bob. With your amp on the right and laptop & other gear on the desk, have you considered a swivel seat to make it more comfortable and convenient?

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 20 Apr 2015 9:14 am

I'll have to break out my RNC and try it again. Does your amp put out any ambient hiss or hum? None of my BF Fender amps are quiet. But my Ken Fox amp sure is.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 21 Apr 2015 4:45 am

The milkman has a little ambient sound. Not as much as my old fenders. It doesn't present a problem in sessions.

I got the RNC in order to get a better understanding of compression. In my current set
up it isn't doing a whole lot. I'm working on a cd now for a very picky producer in NYC who helped me develope my recording chops in the first place. He is happy so I am happy.

Rob Segal · Post by **Rob Segal** » 21 Apr 2015 5:09 am

....not sure about the red seat though.....

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 21 Apr 2015 6:41 am

The red seat is really more of a throne. It gives my tracks an imperious quality that cuts down the number of redo's I am asked to do.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 21 Apr 2015 8:01 am

Are you using the RNC in the Super Nice mode? I use it sometimes on a submix of background vocals. Pretty invisible as a compressor and still does the trick...

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 21 Apr 2015 1:27 pm

Bob, do you run the RNC before or after the mic pre? I guess it would have to be after the pre, to get it to levels that work for the RNC.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 22 Apr 2015 4:46 am

John,
Yes , the super nice mode.
Tom , yes after the pre.

I'm not sure if the RNC is nessisary for the remote work I get. In the subtle way I use it it seems to make the tracks a bit more forgiving without degrading the fidelity .

When I am tracking small ensembles at home I put the RNC on whatever instrument that has the most wild changes in volume. Mostly a crazy percussionist I work with or a string bass player that randomly switches to arco.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 22 Apr 2015 8:00 am

I should probably use the RNC for dobro work. Might soften the spikes a tad. I love it for a mic'ed piano.

We'll be interested, too, on how you like your new Milkman H&H.

Les Cargill · Post by **Les Cargill** » 23 Apr 2015 6:05 pm

You don't have to do any processing going to "tape" these days. All depends on the price of knocking the spikes down later.

The other opinion, of course is "commit at tracking", which has advantages. If you get familiar with something like Bob is with the RNC, then that's different.

This does a really good job as a limiter:
http://www.gvst.co.uk/gmax.htm

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 24 Apr 2015 6:52 am

Send you a PM Bob... Here’s how I’m set up... That pillow between my steel and amp is a pedal noise eliminator...lol

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 5 Jun 2015 4:56 am

Tom Wolverton wrote:
We'll be interested, too, on how you like your new Milkman H&H.

Tom, I've been working with a milkman half and half all week and so far I love it. I may like the one with a 15" speaker a little better than the 12". It is dead quiet and surprisingly rich sounding.