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Choice of our four different Digital Audio Workstations.

SawStudio Screen Shots




 

Studio One Screen Shots






Harrison Mixbus 32C Screen Shots






Reaper Screen Shots






    
1975 Slingerland Drum Kit (not pictured... this is our Tama kit).  

 

Our recording console is a PreSonus 32 StudioLive Series III with 32 inputs.
The console has compression, noise gate, equalization, and reverb on every channel.

         Some of our mics pictured below (additionally, we have lots of Shure SM-57s and  58s... )  

  Neumann U-87 (2)                 AKG- 414                           AKG- C3000                AKG- C1000S
        
      A-T 4030                            EV- RE 20               Shure KSM 27                     A-T 4051a
                         
Crown SASS Stereo mic                 PPA "R-One" Ribbon             AKG- 240M  headphones (6)    
   
  CAD Trion 6000           Cascade "Fathead" Ribbon
VINTECH X-81    Mic Pre  

A couple of commonly asked questions:

WHAT is the difference between analog tape recording and random access digital recording?

The "difference" between tape and random access digital recording depends on whom you ask. There are technical and physical differences certainly (which I'll briefly explain later) but sonically the "better" sound is the subject of an ongoing argument among professionals. My personal opinion is that random access digital, with today's high quality digital converters and a high end DAW (digital audio workstation-- in my case software implemented) is sonically superior to analog recording (a linear tape based format).  With digital there's no tape hiss, no data loss as the ferric oxide falls off the tape, no e.q. changes over time as the tape "relaxes", no high media cost (a reel of tape lasting 1/2 hour at 15ips costs the studio -- and therefore you-- $150... probably higher now), and no delicate storage requirements.

 

The physical  differences are:

 

Analog (tape):

Large physical recording machine

Large media (2"X10" reel of tape) (dual service-- record media and backup media)

Ferric oxide coated Mylar tape running across a record head

Linear access to songs (slow)

Limited editing and mixing options

High maintenance-- failure to maintain machines dramatically impacts the sound negatively

Track count limited to machine format 

Digital (random access):

Hard drive used to record data   

Inexpensive backup (CD or DVD disc or USB drive)

Random access to songs (fast)

Total recall mixing and frame accurate editing and punch in potential

Low maintenance

More tracks available (up to 120 stereo tracks, 8 layers deep for alternate "takes" if necessary)

I am quite enamored of the random access digital recording process, and have sold my 2 inch tape recorder. 

 

WHAT are the steps involved  in recording a CD?

If you have never recorded before, I would suggest you start by recording a couple tunes to get some experience with the recording process. To record for the first time and hope that it comes out acceptable for release, or major label critique is somewhat like taking a fencing lesson and going straight into a swordfight.  You need to learn a little about the craft. Having said that, if by chance on your first attempt your tunes come out great and you want to send them out, you'll have lost nothing. I just don't think it's a good idea to bite off a big chunk at first. Depending on the complexity of your material, and the band's musical expertise, it will take from 2 to roughly 10 hours to complete a couple songs. This is not a hard and fast rule... merely a guideline based on my experience.  

 

No matter  what kind of music you are writing, never underestimate the importance of the vocal (intonation and style), the band's timing (it's very good to play to a click track), and guitar intonation. And please: make sure your instruments are in top shape with new strings and properly set up.

 

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