Recording Discussion Club

Thank you so much for your enthusiasm in the forum and in the live streams, I hope the tonebase academy recording course was as educational for you as it was inspirational for me! 🧙‍♂️


I urge you to put all the techniques you have learned over the course of this five weeks into regular practice, your recordings will only get better, you will discover more details and nuances not only in the technical process but also in your performance. I kept highlighting how important recording is as a feedback tool for yourself, listening back to your performance with an objective distance gives you great insight into your musical personality! 


I created this topic as hub for all of your recordings you want to share in the future, I will post recordings of myself and of other musicians in here for you to enjoy, discuss and learn from! If you have any questions to the videos, feel free  to post them as a reply to the video, if you have general questions on one of the lesson topics, post them in the dedicated forum topic to create a shared knowledge base for each of the topics!


The recording doesn't need to be a video, you can only share an audio file with us as well!


When share your recording, let us know about your mic placement, your editing and your signal processing with this template:

 

[introduce your recording with some words about the piece, why you decided to record etc.]

Mics and Mic Placement: 

Interface (if applicable):

DAW:

Editing:

Processing: 

Plugins used:

NLE:

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    • Barney
    • Barney
    • 3 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi Martin,

    Here is a rough recording of Serenata Espanola by Malats.  Please excuse the performance as it needs lots of work (Several mistakes).  I wanted to submit something with some range and density for your evaluation  of recording sound.

    This is recorded with 2 Line Audio CM4 Mics in ORTF position.  The Stereo bar is about arm's length from top of guitar (1964 Jose Ramirez with Cedar top and RC Recital medium tension strings)

    Interface is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.  Gain on both channels up to about 70%.

    No editing or dynamics processing were performed..Thanks!!!

    Best,

    Barney

      • Barney
      • Barney
      • 3 yrs ago
      • Reported - view

      martin 

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  • This is one of my favorite Sor studies; I'm using it as a vehicle to experiment with the concepts presented in the Recording Class.

     

    Mics and Mic Placement: Mid-side Nuemann KM184 and AEA R84 ribbon mic placed 24 inches away from guitar.

    Interface: Apogee Quartet, Sebatron Axis200vu tube pre, Manley ELOP+ compressor

    DAW: Sonar X2 Producer

    Editing: single take with one punch 

    Processing:  compressor set to -1db reduction, hi pass 56Hrtz, high shelf 6.7 K, limiter 

    Plugins used: Summit Audio Compressor, Phoenixverb by exponential audio, Fabfilter L2 limiter

    NLE:

      • martinTeam
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      • martin.3
      • 3 yrs ago
      • Reported - view

      david robinson Hi David! Your sound is wonderfully full and warm without being muddy in the low mids! I really enjoy the combination between the crisp KM 184 and the roundness of the ribbon mic. Personally, I don't mind the noise levels too much, but some might find them a bit distracting, so maybe you can try to apply a very subtle FIR filter at the end of your signal chain!

      And while you're at it, try to record something for the Excerpt Masterclass with René Izquierdo on Feb 20! 🎉

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    • martin Thanks Martin, I will consider doing that. 

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      • martinTeam
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      • martin.3
      • 3 yrs ago
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      david robinson Great!

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  • Mics and Mic Placement: two Nuemann Km184s 24 inches from guitar, and mid-side with AEA R84 ribbon mic

    Interface (if applicable): Apogee Quartet, Sebatron Tube pre, Manley ELOP+ compressor

    DAW: Sonar X2 Producer

    Editing: one punch, two edits

    Processing: gentle compression -1db reduction, Hi pass 56 hertz, high shelf 6.7K, 3db cut at 245,; reverb wooden church preset. No limiter or normalization. 

    Plugins used: Summit Audio compressor, Phoenixverb by Exponential Audio. 

    NLE:

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      • martinTeam
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      • martin.3
      • 3 yrs ago
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      david robinson Another wonderful recording! There is a sudden crack though at around 0:19, maybe you can go back and see what's going on there! 

      Try to compare the last two recordings, it's very interesting! While your audio recording "Sor 18 final" had a lot of smooth high end, I kind of miss it in this video!

      Like 1
    • martin Thanks for you comments! I hear the crack at 0:19, this think it is distortion, as the signal was hotter for this video. 

      Like
  • Hi Martin,Recorded with ZOOM H4n, I used Logic Pro X with compressor, Limiter, EQ by Logic and Reverb by Logich, the settings are for Classical Guitar or Vocals, if you have any advice on the settings I'm happy☺️

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      • martinTeam
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      • martin.3
      • 3 yrs ago
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      Giuseppe I think you can increase your reverb, it is very subtle at the moment! Furthmer it sounds your recording sounds a little nasal at the moment, you can work on your EQ (somewhere around 600Hz) or find a new spot for your microphones :)

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      • martin.3
      • 3 yrs ago
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      Giuseppe Gasparini Please record something for our next Excerpt Masterclass with René Izquierdo on Feb 20th

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    • Barney
    • Barney
    • 3 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi Martin,

    I just got the Nimbus Reverb Plugin($29) that you recommended.  There are lots of presets available, and many settings.  I would like to add some subtle reverb that would enhance the sound with a natural ambiance suitable for Classical guitar.

    Would you kindly look at the Nimbus screen and tell me what you think would be the best levels  for each setting to start with.  Also, is there a particular "Preset" available in Nimbus that provides a  natural and realistic  result for Classical guitar?  Thanks much!!!  Barney

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      • martinTeam
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      • martin.3
      • 3 yrs ago
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      Barney Hi Barney, I always like to start with the presets in the "classical" section, mainly the "Large Wooden Church" as they render a very pleasant and natural reverb!

      As for the rest of the settings they are highly dependent of your signal. If you put Nimbus onto a dedicated reverb channel, the "Wet" fader needs to be all the way up, then you would adjust the strength of your reverb as we've discussed in the "All About Dynamics" lesson 🧙‍♂️ 

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    • Barney
    • Barney
    • 3 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Forgot to remind you regarding the Reverb question, that I'm using two Line Audio CM 4's in ORTF position. Thanks!

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      • martin.3
      • 3 yrs ago
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      Barney Awesome, great mics! Though the strength will be mainly influenced by the distance of your mic to the sound source and their respective position within a given acoustic environment! If you plan to use artificial reverb, I would go closer than usual to your sound source (probably as close as we've done in the workshop as I've intended to work with artificial reverb anyway)!

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    • Barney
    • Barney
    • 3 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Thanks Martin!  As you know, There are numerous settings in Nimbus.  When you say "adjust the strength of your Reverb", which particular settings should be modified?  The Nimbus GUI is significantly more complex than Reaper. 

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      • martinTeam
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      • martin.3
      • 3 yrs ago
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      Barney 

      Case 1: Nimbus is on a dedicated reverb channel with your guitar signals routed into that track:

       In thatcase you need to turn up your "Mix" knob in Nimbus all the way up until it says "Wet", because you want ONLY a reverb signal on that track that you add to your dry signal on your guitar track. You would then turn up the Reverb by turning upt the Fader in the Reaper mixer (in my case it's called REV, short for reverb).

       

      Case 2:

       Now my Nimbus is directly added to my guitar channel, that means that the only control I have over the strength of the Reverb is by turning the "Mix" fader up and down. If it's at 0% the fader says "dry" meaning that no Reverb is added, if it's at 100%  it says "Wet" meaning that you will only hear the reverb effect. If the plugin is inserted directly onto a guitar track I would typically end up with something betweeen 10-30%!

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    • Barney
    • Barney
    • 3 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi Martin,

    Also please clarify what you mean by "If you put Nimbus onto a dedicated reverb channel, the "Wet" fader needs to be all the way up". Are you referring to the Fader in Reaper, or within the Nimbus GUI?

    Sorry for all these follow-up questions.  As you can see, I'm new to this process, and still learning how to apply the basics.  I appreciate your patience!!  Thanks!

    Like 1
    • Barney
    • Barney
    • 3 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi Martin,

    Please give a listen to this for volume, stereo imaging, and reverb quality.  I used your suggested "large wooden church" preset in Nimbus and reduced its level using the Reaper fader in Track #4 (Reverb).  Sorry,  know the performance has many mistakes, which I'm working on.  I think the "stage fright" is contributing a bit, which I need to overcome.  

    I look forward to your comments and advice. about the recording quality.  Thanks!

    Best,

    Barney

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      • martin.3
      • 3 yrs ago
      • Reported - view

      Barney Wow, that turned out really great!!! The sound you captured is warm and transparent and the reverb adds a nice touch of spaciousness without being overwhelming!
      I'd recommend to turn up the Reverb Time up a touch, maybe around 3s to further increase the perceived size of the hall. Alternatively, you can increase the "Reverb Size" but to be honest I haven't read through the manual in order to verify how these times differ. I guess that the added reverb size is adding a high pass filter in order to emulate the high frequency absorption of air friction!
       On a different note, your left channel is approx 6db louder, I would adjust the panorama of your recording either by turning the pan knob or by decreasing the volume of the left channel if you recorded onto two several tracks!
      But other than that it's a wonderful rendition of Malat's "Serenata Espanola", congratulations!!!

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    • Barney
    • Barney
    • 3 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Thank you very much for your kind words and great suggestions.

     

    The Nimbus guide gives the following definitions:

    7.3.4.Reverb Time Reverb Time works in conjunction with the Reverb Size parameter. Reverb Time may be seen as the reflectivity of the space you’re modeling. More reflectivity (harder surfaces)—no matter the size of the room--will cause the reverberant energy to last longer. A small Reverb Size with a long reverb time will produce a long reverb with dense re=lections and perhaps some coloration. A large reverb size with a shorter reverb time may also create a longer length with lower density and a more natural sound. It’s best to test these parameters with impulses such as clicks or snare drum strikes. 

     

    7.3.25.Reverb Size Reverb Size works hand-in-hand with the Reverb Time parameter. The size parameter gives you a general sense of the overall size of the space you’re modeling (expressed in meters) and the time parameter controls the reflectivity of the walls. A larger size will lower the density of reflections and is generally more natural-sounding. But there’s nothing like experimentation.

     

    Please refine your guidance based on this additional information, and let me know what you would adjust.  (Remember, I lowered the overall Reverb level by reducing it in Reaper on it's own separate track).

     

    Best regards,

    Barney

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      • martin.3
      • 3 yrs ago
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      Barney Very cool, thanks for clarifying that! All Plugins tend to work somewhat differently, so looking into the manual is essential since every software developer set their own priorities! 🧙‍♂️🤘

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    • Barney
    • Barney
    • 3 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    So given these definitions, which adjustment (if any)would you make to my Reverb setting, that would give the best result, based on my recording and your fine tuned ears?  Thanks!!!

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    • Barney
    • Barney
    • 3 yrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Thank you for the advice Martin!  I tried to make the Reverb Size larger by increasing from 32 meters to 36 meters.  It automatically increased the related Reverb Time accordingly.  This resulted in a pleasing reverb.  However, the overall volume of the recording was reduced significantly!

    Is there a solution to achieve the more desirable Reverb without losing the volume?

    Thanks,

    Barney

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