On Fri, May 8, 2009 at 9:06 AM, James Stone <jamesmstone@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> Although this is not strictly linux-audio related, I thought I
> would ask here, as I am using linux tools, and I know there are
> some really knowledgeable people here. So my question is, do you
> have any recommendations about where I can look to learn how to
> record, mix and master a standard 4 piece rock band?
>
> So far, I have recorded some tracks using ardour (on my eeepc -
> so only a max of 2 simultaneous line in), and fiddled around with
> plugins on each of the instruments. This is what I have at the
> moment (transferred to my desktop so processing power is not a
> problem):
>
> Drums (only 1 channel comprised of a mix of the snare mic and
> bass drum mic): Multiband EQ (bass emphasis), C* Compressor,
> Barry's Satan Maximizer, c* plate (very subtle reverb)
>
> Bass: Dyson compressor, C*plate (very subtle reverb)
>
> Guitar: Multiband EQ (treble emphasis), Barry's Satan Maximiser, Plate reverb
>
> Vocals: Multiband EQ (treble emphasis), C* Compressor, Barry's
> Satan Maximizer, c* plate
>
> Then on master I have only a multiband EQ with the 50Hz gain set
> to -70dB
>
> This is probably a highly unusual setup, but I really have no
> clue what I am doing, so I would appreciate some help - for
> example does it make sense to use the C* compressor followed by
> BSM? What effects are usually used on what instruments? What is a
> good reverb (not plate verb) for linux? Is there somewhere I can
> go to read more about this?
>
> The second question is about mastering - I have fiddled with
> Jamin, and can make everything louder and more compressed, but
> what am I really aiming for here? Again is there somewhere I can
> go to read more?
>
> I would appreciate any thoughts people have about this.
>
> All the best,
>
> James

James,
  Welcome and best of luck with what you're doing. IMO his is
completely the right place to ask questions like this.

  The two things I would suggest, along with one overriding rule as
what I might offer:

1) Try to refrain from recording and thinking you'll 'fix it in the
mix'. Often you have to, especially when you are starting out, but
getting the right sound on disk will take you further and generally
make you happier as your ears fatigue working on the project. Take the
time to learn how to mic your instruments so that you get the sound
you are looking for. Experiement with everything. Read. Try things. It
will come over time, but it's all different based on your instruments,
your mics, your A/D's and D/A, your monitors, etc. It's different for
everyone.

2) Learn to use busses and in general limit yourself to a single
reverb. Try to leave a LOT of headroom in your indivdual track
recordings as it will reduce the number of limiter and compressors you
find yourself using overall. Using multiple reverbs will eventually
lead to a muddy sound as every instrument starts acting like it's in a
different room. Busses are easy in Ardour, albiet FAR more capable
than they really should be. That said, you need them and once you
learn to use them for things like reverb you'll probably be better
off.

and the overriding rule:

LET YOUR EARS BE YOUR GUIDE! Don't worry about what **anyone** like me
says about *how* to do this stuff. Work to get your mix to sound the
way you want your mix to sound. You don't say much about music style,
which is cool, but I suggest that one answer doesn't fit Animal
Collective, Particle, McCoy Tyner and John Mayall, all being bands
I've listened to in depth this week. Maybe you're doing something
non-pop/rock and some sort of strange reverb setup makes it work. If
that's the case then by all means do WHATEVER works!

Cheers,
Mark

P.S. - Anyone listening to Mike Bloomfield these days? I'm on a retro
kick lately... :-)

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