[LAU] some live tracks - need some advice

[Joel Roth]

On Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 09:55:29PM +0100, Garry Ogle wrote:
> Dave Phillips wrote:
> > Greetings,
> > 
> > I've posted some recordings from a performance of my band last Saturday 
> > night. The tracks are simple unprocessed and unmastered board 
> > recordings, made by the soundman for the gig. As such they're intended 
> > primarily as a record of the performance, but I'd like to use some of 
> > them for tracks on a CD to sell at gigs. Here's where I need the advice.
> > 
> > As you can tell, the bass is too well-recorded (it had a direct line 
> > out). I'd like to be able to diminish its presence, but I think I need 
> > some advice on using EQ. Also, the originals had no processing, so I 
> > added a bit of CAPS Stereo Versatile Plate in ReZound. I'm curious to 
> > know what others here might do. Alas, there are no 
> > multichannel/multitrack versions, I have to work with the present stereo 
> > mix.
> > 
> > You can hear the tracks here:
> > 
> >     http://linux-sound.org/audio/Woke_Up_This_Morning.ogg
> > 
> >     http://linux-sound.org/audio/Outside_Woman_Blues.ogg
> > 
> >     http://linux-sound.org/audio/I_Dont_Know_Your_Name.ogg
> > 
> > MP3 versions are also available (s/ogg/mp3).
> > 
> > I'll send them through JAMin later today, so any advice re: using JAMin 
> > would be especially helpful, but I'm interested in any & all responses.
> > 
> > Btw, ReZound and the encoders were the only Linux audio software used 
> > for these tracks.
> > 
> > Enjoy, critique, keep breathing.
> > 
> > Best,
> > 
> > dp
> 
> Great tracks, Dave, love your vocals.
> I don't agree with Robert WRT cutting lows though: that's where all the 
> oomph lives. Its the bright edge on the bass that's the "problem".
> I tried running the tracks through a parametric eq, ( I used LinuxDsp's 
> para eq2 ) trying to nail that edge, but didn't have much success. YMMV.
> You might try cutting a narrow band somewhere between 1 and 2 khz.
> 
> Anything you cut off the bass comes off everything else though. A good 
> mastering engineer might manage something, but those guys cost money.
> The fact of the matter is that you are only going to achieve very 
> limited results tweaking a stereo mix to fix individual instruments.
> I wouldn't be surprised if you decided that you could live with it as 
> is. Judging by the other comments that wouldn't be a bad thing.
> 
> It might be worth investing in a modest multi-track recorder if you're 
> doing a lot of CDs ?
> 
> If I may presume - for this style of music I would have the tone control 
> on the bass turned nearly all the way down. The sound guy can't turn up 
> what isn't there?
> 
> all the best, G.

I also agree that the performances are outstanding. The audience
clearly got that they were hearing something special.

I think your recordings are great, too. They serve their purpose
that as listener, I get a feeling for the life in what
you are playing.  

Do people expect the same from live recordings as studio
productions?

I think your sensitivity to the pronounced position of the
bass is way more than anything that will trouble your
listeners.  Especially, if they are at a performance, already
experiencing your music firsthand. They will know what
to listen for.

Speaking for myself, I am blown away with what I am 
hearing.


Joel
-- 
Joel Roth