| Author |
Topic: Steel Guitar Home Recordings |
Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 3 Apr 2006 1:46 am |
|
Thinking of doing some home steel guitar recordings. I'll be using the standard instruments for backup such as uke, bass, and acoustic guitar.
When laying out the tracks, what order of instruments do you start with?
Do you start with the steel solo then follow with the uke, guitar, and finally bass? |
|
|
 |
Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
|
Posted 3 Apr 2006 3:52 am
|
|
I usually start with a drum track (or metronome click track) This keeps the song steady. then I put down the background chords on guitar (make sure it is in tune perfectly). Then I add bass, keyboard etc. if needed. Finally the steel part, this is the most demanding, and for me takes the most time, since I want it as nearly perfect as can be.
Sincerely;
Dom[This message was edited by Dom Franco on 03 April 2006 at 04:54 AM.] |
|
|
|
Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
|
Posted 3 Apr 2006 5:24 am
|
|
Definitely start with a rhythm instrument first, like uke or guitar. Always use your tuner to make sure everything is tuned up, and if you have some type of electronic metronomic device for a click track, that helps. However, only do that if you have a way of keeping that click track isolated. IOW, don't use a regular 'wind-up' metronome, as it will then be on your track.
If you're micing the rhythm instrument, start your click track, and have it going in your headphones. Count off into the mic: One... Two... a-one, two, three, (silent 'four')... This way, with that silent 'four,' you have a clean break to put your edit when you mix your tracks.
I usually lay down the guitar, then uke, and then finally bass. Now, I have a solid "band" and rhythm section to which I can play my steel. The metronome track is silent, because it was on another track, only piped in electronically through the headphone feed. If you only have four tracks to work with, your metronome track will become your steel track. You just track over it, since your won't need it anymore, because now you'll have your rhythm section.
Can't wait to hear your tracks. Good luck!
TJW
------------------
Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, A6, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Regal resonator (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); assorted ukuleles; upright bass
|
|
|
|
Patrick Newbery
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
|
Posted 3 Apr 2006 1:37 pm
|
|
If you got some friends to play with you, it's helpful to all play during the recording of the basic tracks. everybody plays but only record the rhythm guitar and bass. then listen to the track to make sure there's no major clams. i'd do all the songs this way in a single session. then you can go back and add uke and steel.
this way the track will have a good live feel to it. if you start with a metronome and then add a track at a time, it will all be synched in perfect time, but sometimes you lose the "feel" and the various tracks don't necessarily interact with each other.
|
|
|
|
John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
|
Posted 3 Apr 2006 8:43 pm
|
|
I don't really have it down to a science, because; although I've been doing it since 1988, I really never got too far past just Rhythm and Steel. I now have a Sync-4~Track R to R and a Recording~Mixer, but; have been too busy with other projects to work at it! I keep threatening to start every few days, but; haven't quite settled into it yet! My process has always worked, but admittedly; the sound~quality has always been poor, due to the fact that I've always done it with only two small cassette-recorders! I usually use my ‘toy’ $59 Baritone~Uke, because; it's more fun! You can see my Current Equipment here! I'll start again, one of these days!
------------------
“Big John”
a.k.a. {Keoni Nui}
Current Equipment
|
|
|
|
Jim Bates
From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
|
Posted 4 Apr 2006 2:55 pm
|
|
I guess I must do it backwards from most - I record the steel first (keeping time in my head or patting my foot), then add the rythmn track. Am no good at trying follow a metronome click or an electronic drum.
Try it both ways.
Thanx,
Jim |
|
|
|
