Topic: Help needed, good people of ts.com! Post-production help!

[powermonkey]

I recorded my mates' band the other day, playing their first ever acoustic show - they are usually a damn fine, and damn loud, rock'n'roll band. Used my R09HR for the first time, with my CA cards into my FEL pre. Great show, pleasure to see my buddies play. The recording, though, is driving me batshit crazy.

I've mastered, given up, started again, given up and started again 4 times now. I can't get the bass right. I usually put recordings through audacity's high pass filter, adjusting to what sounds alright on my stereo, and it's all good. So much bass going right through this one... So, I thought I'd get the opinions of folks with more experience than me.

Here's my rough mix of the recording. Gorgeous performance, especially the harmony backing vocal. I could really do with some opinions of what I could do to this one to bring out the quality recording that's lurking in there.

Any ideas? I'm not going to start fiddling with eq, because frankly I have no idea about it and I know it'll end up a mess. Some insight into what you folks might do would be incredibly valuable! I *know* it's only 320 mp3, but my connection is being all fuckity tonight and I've failed 4 times to upload a flac. Will get one up tomorrow.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=A6BZSHTE

Many thanks, folks, and +T's all round!

*edit* There are some odd harmonics floating around in the early part of the show, but never mind. Not the best PA in the world. Don't think that was anything to do with the HR.

[Dede2002]

Hi,

I'm trying to download your file, but the only thing I got so far is a message from Megaupload telling that "all stations for download are busy...bla...bla.bla..
Sorry, I'd love to help .

[powermonkey]

Megaupload does that sometimes. If it still doesn't work I can reupload at work anyway. Might as well, at home I've got 40k upload, at work 250k.
 


T+ for trying!

[Dede2002]

Megaupload does that sometimes. If it still doesn't work I can reupload at work anyway. Might as well, at home I've got 40k upload, at work 250k.
 


T+ for trying!

No problem.

[Javier Cinakowski]

I just downloaded.  I have been playing with "Day the Earth Caught Fire."  I am not sure what you think the problem is?  I think it is a damn fine recording.  I am sure it was not a perfect recording environment, but there is no real improvement that can be made.  The bass is fine, not too much at all, if anyhting a little light in the lowest octaves...  You have a good first rig, if you are not happy, look out, I see a gear slut in your future 

I listened through SoundBlaster270-> Headstage MiniampPro-> Beyerdynamic DT880.  Also listend to Integrta5.4->Tannoy MX2m.   

Might I suggest you forget about "post production" or "mastering" a 2 channel field recording.  Get in a good location and capture it right the first time.  I think you are doing much better than you think you are....

[powermonkey]

I just downloaded.  I have been playing with "Day the Earth Caught Fire."  I am not sure what you think the problem is?  I think it is a damn fine recording.  I am sure it was not a perfect recording environment, but there is no real improvement that can be made.  The bass is fine, not too much at all, if anyhting a little light in the lowest octaves...  You have a good first rig, if you are not happy, look out, I see a gear slut in your future 

I listened through SoundBlaster270-> Headstage MiniampPro-> Beyerdynamic DT880.  Also listend to Integrta5.4->Tannoy MX2m.   

Might I suggest you forget about "post production" or "mastering" a 2 channel field recording.  Get in a good location and capture it right the first time.  I think you are doing much better than you think you are....

So it's just me being neurotic and obsessive, then!
 


I guess I'm used to recordings that end up either sounding fine through headphones and then WAY too bassy on my stereo, or fine on my stereo and really thin over headphones.... I started to get into the habit of pissing about with EQ, compression, etc etc without having a clue what I'm doing, so I'm getting way too picky about recordings! I love this taping lark, but everything I learn teaches me how much there is I still don't know, if that makes sense.

Guess I'm going to have to start getting that fully open rig together now, then! Gear sluttage ahoy!
 


Cheers for listening, it was great to get a bit of perspective (otherwise I'd still be fiddling with it now, and I'd be late for work!)

T+

[Dede2002]

So it's just me being neurotic and obsessive, then!
 

Cheers for listening, it was great to get a bit of perspective (otherwise I'd still be fiddling with it now, and I'd be late for work!)

T+

Welcome to NOT (Neurotic Obsessive Team): "bass is NOT clear", " stereo image is NOT good", etc, etc, etc 

[DaveG73]

I had a bit of a listen to this last night and it sounded fine to me.

Really enjoyed the show. The harmony track really worked well with Mikey's voice.

Dave.

[powermonkey]

Had a final quick tidy up with this one. Think it's done!
 


24/96 sounds sooooooo much better than my old 24/44.1 recordings. I don't know if it's entirely psychological, but it just sounds fuller, warmer, and needs much less dicking around. Sounds fine when burned to DVD-A.

Really chuffed!