How do you do it? Do you tweak keyboard e.q. for each song you record? Do you tweak other keyboard settings? To get the best recording, seems there is no other way. That you must tweak keyboard settings because some styles, the default mix on the keyboard is less than ideal.

I've recorded a lot of songs lately and every single one, the vocal is too hot. Now I know, that's the problem. I'm kinda slow. But when I recorded, I got it to sounding good to my ears first... and made sure my Fostex digital recorder Peak light was not peaking out. But they all are too hot on vocals, causing some distortion.

Ideally, I need to record these with two steps, I suppose. Play first, then record vocal on separate track. I guess I'll just have to get better at that. Only reason I have been playing/singing at same time is because it's faster plus, seems vocal timing is easiest when I'm playing. But look where I am now. If I had done vocals on separate track, all I would have to do is go back re-record vocal. Now, I have to start over.


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Me Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

welcome to my recording world!!!
i'm going to try experimenting some this week with the separate vocal track - it's the same issue with me . . .

and yes, it seems each song / style must be tweaked a bit before it sounds okay while recording it!!!

You are not alone!

Jill

Bill and Jill,

The secret to success here is to record the song while you're singing. However, DO NOT turn on the mic. This provides you with the vocal timing you need, but additionally, permits you to sit back, relax and do the vocal portion of the recording on a separate track, then edit both tracks independantly. If you mess up with the vocals, you can come back and record them again. If you wish to add live, vocal harmony, this too can be done on yet another track. If you need more reverb, echo, delay, whatever, it can be added to each, independant track. If you wish to bring up the accompaniament during instrumental segments, this too can be done. Lots and lots of options, and none of this is very difficult, but it does take time.

Good Luck,

Gary

I did that in a friend's home studio one time. We did two keyboard songs. I sang with mic off so I could play it right, then did the real vocal track later. I guess I'll go back to that.

I saw something somewhere that said record main vocal dry, add reverb to harmony vocal. I wonder if that can be done onboard psr2000.


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Me Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

hey me bill...we'll see if we can do this in stages, btw you should always record everything "dry", instruments included and add processing later(assuming of course you are using a PC to record with)...question..what pc program are you using to record with? hmmm sorry, more questions ...does your sound sound source have more than the two l/r audio outs?..can your keyboard record the style you are playing as a midi file? (we'll worry about vocals later.
dennis

OR bill, would it be easier if i explained how i am set up here and how i do my recording? just a thought
cheers
dennis

I don't know what's easier but I'm open!

Here's what I have now.

Fostex MR-8 8-track
I can record two tracks simultaneously
Yamaha psr2000 keyboard
Audix OM5 mic (might be better of the two mics)
Carvin CM68 (kinda like Shure SM58)
Audacity recording software
Kristal recording software

The Fostex allows me to record two tracks at same time if I want. I can import those into my laptop and add fx, etc. OR... I can mix on the Fostex recorder, with last step being creating a stereo WAV file. Except that I think just recording the tracks dry and then importing into laptop, then using software to add effects, is the way with the most options.

Yes, my keyboard can store songs I play as .mid file.

If I were going to do one right now and it were going to be a keyboard/vocal (I could also add guitar track) ...

1. Tweak settings on keyboard for a song, using auto-accompaniment. Play song with auto-accompaniment on and record it. I have been sending L/R to the Fostex "A" and "B" inputs, assigning one to Track 1 and other to Track 2.

So, drums, bass, guitar, piano, strings, everything from the keyboard is going out at once. I have also wondered if it would be better to pipe these out separately. Well, yes, it would but it would sure take longer. But for an important demo, if it would be appreciably better, I could do that.

Although, the latter statement, it might take me so long as a novice, I'd be better off to hire someone.

2. Sing vocal track over that and record on Track 3.

3. Import the three tracks into Kristal. (I think Kristal is more robust than Audacity.) Both of them are free. Kristal will probably start charging in a future release but now, it's free.

4. Add effects.

5. Mix

6. Create final WAV file.

Thanks for any help.


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Me Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

I think I will track a song tonight that has six parts (psr2000 calls them 'channels?') from the keyboard, plus vocal. So, seven tracks. When I isolate the bass track, it's kinda cheesy but I guess I'll use it.

I guess there's only one way to find out if this will give an appreciably better mix than recording all six parts at one time from the keyboard.

Then, after I get all seven tracks, heck, then I gotta figure out how to pan these tracks in the mix.


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Me Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

What about this. Rather than play the song six times to track each instrument... what if I play the song and record it (with auto-accompaniment). Then, mute all tracks except #1 and play the .mid file on the keyboard and record it as a track. Same thing for 2-6. That way, I'd only have to play it one time. Woudl the sound be the same for each channel?


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Me Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

hi bill...
the fostex should be able to record 8 tracks at once, correct me if im wrong but doesn't it have 8 individual mono inputs? or is it just the 2 which you then bounce down? perhaps the snag is the yammi which prob only has left and right out?? in this case might i suggest you record the song as a midi and then load it into your PC sequencer which is where you can really tweak out the individual midi tracks getting rid of glitches, maybe quantize with a "humanize" feel to reduce the robotic timing and then either record it on your PC as individual audio tracks, eg mute all tracks except the bass and record it to an audio track, then the same for drums (ensuring you cancel all the midi efx ie chorus reverb) etc etc etc...then you have a dry and individual recording for each instrument...then you can REALLY get your mix perfect by maybe just tweaking that snare that may be a bit loud, or add a bit more thump to the kick or whatever, then record your vocal track/s add your eq's and efx, final mix and them bingo! i really must get a home page up so i can post examples of what i achieve with just my pa1x..for example when editing in your PC sequencer you can get rid of the octopus syndrome in drums for example, you know, where the drums are playing an open hi-hat, foot hi-hat ride and snare all at the same time!!!!
anyhoo you seem to be on the path in tracking individually, i guess you gotta experiment with your gear to fine tune the best system that works for you
cheers
denni