Compuphonic

Ok, an idea I've been toying with, looking for some feedback. I've currently got the mobile capability to record to a good quality on 8 tracks simultaneously. Along with a couple of mics and compressors I can get results. I don't have premises/facilities to record bands, but I do have the facilities to come to you, probably at your rehersal space. While this wont give as good results as visiting a properly treated studio, it will offer a good, relatively clear demo. I'm thinking along the lines of offering the service to record 2 songs for a fixed price, probably split roughly 8hrs recording, 8hrs putting it together/mixing. I'm open to suggestions on this, more time/less time ? What sort of money would you pay for a service like this ? What would it need to offer ? My incentive is to spend more time on my mixing/recording skills, and maybe pay off some kit that otherwise I might sell.. Am I thinking along the wrong lines, would everybody prefer to save up for a 'real' studio ?

My favourite soundtracks: Blade Runner (Vangellis) The Wall (Pink Floyd) Scarface (Moroder) Also most Tarantino films score highly musically..

I'll second the suggestion for Atmosphere. Have hired a lot of kit from them in the last few years and they are reasonably priced. Not sure how your singer will manage without a monitor, I'd say one would be essential ?

No I don't. 90% of my equipment is analog, so I don't really have a need for it. I've bought kit before that I've been sold on the idea, and its great kit, but it has a certain distrinctive sound that you really wanted, and once you've got it you crave something different to stop it all sounding the same.. I'd be inclined to try and get one on eBay for a decent price and if you don't like it put it back on eBay and you shouldn't loose too much.

The Sherman Filterbank is a very cool piece of kit, but I'd question how much real use you would get from it ? Sure it sounds pretty good, but are you going to use that on every single track you create ? Its also the sort of tool that requires a lot of time spent on it to get the best results.. What use did you have in mind for it ? I've had good results feeding exteranl audio through some of my analog synths, but not an effect I'd use everyday..

ok.. lets hear what you do...

http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23038

In your price range I think you'll struggle to find a keyboard that will cut it live as well as a bass guitar does.. often the reason bands with keyboards are 5 piece (or reserve bass keyboard swaps for more laid back material). Some more suggestions around your price range are Yamaha FM synths - DX21/DX27/Dx100 or Casio Phase Distortion stuff CZ-101, CZ-1000, VZ-1 BTW a Korg BX/CX-3 is going to cost you more than the minimoog.. What sort of sounds are you looking for ?

Well you are going to be extremely limited in your choices on that budget. You might be really lucky and pick up a Roland D5/D10, JX-1 or maybe Yamaha DX7, Korg Poly 800 for 100 Something like a Roland D50 or Korg M1 is probably going to still be nearer 200 Really depends on what you want to do with it. Cheap synths do tend to sound cheap. Sometimes this can be used to creative effect, but in general they stuggle a bit to complete with guitars when playing live. Places to check are Scot Ads, eBay, Cash Converters, Evening Express etc Oh and that Mini Moog is going to set you back about 750+

Two things you need to take into account are the voltage and the polarity each pedal requires. Most BOSS pedals are 9v centre -ve Try and get a regulated PSU as these will not fluctuate in voltage as the load changes (some of the cheap 9v adapters are a long way from being 9volts.. I vaguely remember the Cry Baby being centre +ve but it was a while ago I last looked.. Its not rocket science to hook up a couple of regulators and smoothing caps to a decent 12v psu to give you 9v and 5v outputs - although things start getting a little more complex if you need AC and DC or dual rail PSUs Best check out your pedals and report back..

Check out some of the Linux audio apps at www.linuxaudio.org Rosegarden is probably the one you want.. http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/tour/audio/

Its free if you pre-register.. Follow the link on the site.

The short answer is you get 2 types of drum brains.. old ones and new ones.. There are lots from lots of different manufacturers - generally you can mix and match most modern systems, not so much with the older stuff. The Roland Stuff is reasonably popular. Or you could start with an Octapad style device (I got one and they're great fun) Have a look here at the FAQ http://www.harmony-central.com/Drums/EDW/home.html

sheesh... I never realised the Foyer had so much outboard Is that a bunch of UADs on the far right ?

hehe.. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist jumping on this one... I just don't like not being able to easily keep archives of past recordings - you either end up needing a stack of hard disks or having a comuter anyway.. at least with the old ADAT format the tapes were cheap.. It is a good choice, although what you save on the recording solution you then shell out on the outboard.

Out of interest why did you go the Alesis route rather than DAW ? Just a pity there is an age restriction on using the studio...

There's a really good review of the desk here http://www.audiomedia.com/archive/reviews/us-0399/us-0399-mta/us-0399-mta.htm Mentions the Radiohead connection, along with some trivia about Malcolm Tofts prior recording credits..

Taking place at the moment.. Lots of new toys.. Logic 7.1 upgrade ProTools M-Audio Edition Powercore Mk II http://www.gearjunkies.com/default.php

It looks like a quango ? All the site seems to do is point to other people ? Did I miss the point ? Also when you look at the support matrix for music, there is nothing in between southern scotland and highland and islands - which means no change here then..