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Recording, Music,
anything to do with the
production of music
anything to do with the
production of music
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Recording & Producing
By: terry glen miller
what i've learned through the years
By: terry glen miller
what i've learned through the years
Terry Glen Miller
30 years experience Guitarist, Singer, and Published Songwriter. Well
traveled Road Entertainer. Originally from Dallas Texas, Located in
Nashville Tennessee
Equipment:
Recording: Cubase, Mackie Mixer, Rode NT1A Condenser Mic, Alesis
Monitors, Alesis SR-16, Tascam Module, AKG Dynamic Mics
Guitars: Stratocaster, Telecaster, (Both Loaded w/EMG Pickups) Sigma 12
String, the Marlboro 6 string acoustic w/LG Baggs, Washburn Bass Guitar.
Roland GR-20 Guitar Synth.
Amps: Markley RM80DR, Fender Twin Black Face
30 years experience Guitarist, Singer, and Published Songwriter. Well
traveled Road Entertainer. Originally from Dallas Texas, Located in
Nashville Tennessee
Equipment:
Recording: Cubase, Mackie Mixer, Rode NT1A Condenser Mic, Alesis
Monitors, Alesis SR-16, Tascam Module, AKG Dynamic Mics
Guitars: Stratocaster, Telecaster, (Both Loaded w/EMG Pickups) Sigma 12
String, the Marlboro 6 string acoustic w/LG Baggs, Washburn Bass Guitar.
Roland GR-20 Guitar Synth.
Amps: Markley RM80DR, Fender Twin Black Face
I hadn't been in Nashville 2 weeks and I had already been ask, "How do you record?".
My Demos/Masters have been thought of as "Ready" by a few. I said a long time ago that I
wouldn't tell someone "how many tracks I used", simply because, even though I started off
on a Tascam 4 Track, I learned how to bounce and create more tracks, hopefully in Stereo.
I play the Guitar, the Bass Guitar , I use an Alesis SR-16 for drums, either programed or live
playing per pads, plus I do have a Keyboard, though I am not a Keyboard player, I know how
to make chords and use it as fills on occasion.
I have the recording computer program "Cubase", I use to master down to CD. I will also be
using this more in the future because it has 24 tracks of digital. I have recently added a
ROLAND GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer to my set-up. This is turning into a big advantage for the
sounds it has.
Now I will not say that I am a master, Mastering Person!, however I know what sounds good.
IT'S ABOUT LISTENING...
I had the opportunity to spend time in my personal studio when I was recovering from an auto
accident, recording my 1st product that I was going to sell at my one man band venues when I
healed. After spending years recording off the Mackie 8 BUS "Stage Board" and doing mixes
from that, got me ready for studio recording, even though I have done studio work many
times in the past as a guitarist and vocalist, the engineer /producer started coming out in me.
My studio was an Airstream Travel Trailer that I converted to a Control room in the front half,
and a vocal in the corner with eggshell foam as soundproofing. The Equipment was the 4
track, my Markly Pre-Amp, which I used for Guitar, and Vocals, and a few pieces of outboard
stuff that I had. I recorded drums direct Left and Right , track 1 and 2, I recorded Bass along
with the drums, panned middle, put down a guitar part. I then had to mix the drums and guitar
down to 2 tracks, which left me 2 tracks open for vocals..........................
During this time of learning I discovered what they meant by the "Art Of Listening". Thank
goodness I have read many articles on Recording. It hit me when I was trying to mix this
guitar into the drums and bass. I was monitoring through headphones as I was mixing. I
remember an article I had read about listening at very low levels while mixing will bring out
the parts that are overbearing.
I cut the levels on my headphones so I could barely hear it, but still heard the music. The ears
just need to adjust. I could hear where the guitar part should be. When it was too loud, and
when it was too soft. It really hit me like a ton of bricks. To prove it to myself I always listen to
a mix on a boom box that you can buy at any Electronic Department. Crank it up and listen to
the Mix. You'll be happy. Everything is in it's place.
Always Listen to your MIX! At every point of the recording process.
THE ART OF MIXING...
Touchy subject.
It's according on what you are mixing.
Listen to all the different songs there are today, and you will not here one style of mixing that
is in line with the other styles of music. In other words. You won't hear a big bass beat in
Country, just like you won't hear the vocals in your face, over the music in Dance. However,
when the mix is correct you'll hear everything in the mix. The vocals may not be in front of the
music in a dance song, but you'll hear ever word that is sung if you listen. Because of the mix!
Mixing is quiet hard to do in a live situation, unless you have a dedicated "Professional Mix
Person", because you have, lets say a four piece band, 2 guitars, bass, drums. Everyone is
playing an instrument through some type of amp, except the drummer, and his amp is his
arms. I will discuss Live Mixing in the Road Section in the future.
Now in the recording environment I am doing things that you are hearing on this Website,
and my Produced CDs.
I use an Alesis SR-16 Drum Machine that is connected to pads and it all can be "Mixed" in
stereo straight to the board.
Even Mixing comes in here when you mix a 5 piece set of Drums electronically you have to
think about that sound. Do you want the Snare in your face?
The way I mix the Snare is right under the vocal.
Bass Drum. In Dance you may feel it more. I put the Bass Drum and the Bass Guitar together,
trying to complement the low end. I also like to hear a bit of attack on the Bass Guitar to
distinguish the notes. (once again my preference in some songs.)
I like to hear the vocals out front, right above the Snare Drum, which to me is the driver of
any song with drums. (Yes you can do songs without drums, but not without a tempo.)
Next: Lets play music.....
.
My Demos/Masters have been thought of as "Ready" by a few. I said a long time ago that I
wouldn't tell someone "how many tracks I used", simply because, even though I started off
on a Tascam 4 Track, I learned how to bounce and create more tracks, hopefully in Stereo.
I play the Guitar, the Bass Guitar , I use an Alesis SR-16 for drums, either programed or live
playing per pads, plus I do have a Keyboard, though I am not a Keyboard player, I know how
to make chords and use it as fills on occasion.
I have the recording computer program "Cubase", I use to master down to CD. I will also be
using this more in the future because it has 24 tracks of digital. I have recently added a
ROLAND GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer to my set-up. This is turning into a big advantage for the
sounds it has.
Now I will not say that I am a master, Mastering Person!, however I know what sounds good.
IT'S ABOUT LISTENING...
I had the opportunity to spend time in my personal studio when I was recovering from an auto
accident, recording my 1st product that I was going to sell at my one man band venues when I
healed. After spending years recording off the Mackie 8 BUS "Stage Board" and doing mixes
from that, got me ready for studio recording, even though I have done studio work many
times in the past as a guitarist and vocalist, the engineer /producer started coming out in me.
My studio was an Airstream Travel Trailer that I converted to a Control room in the front half,
and a vocal in the corner with eggshell foam as soundproofing. The Equipment was the 4
track, my Markly Pre-Amp, which I used for Guitar, and Vocals, and a few pieces of outboard
stuff that I had. I recorded drums direct Left and Right , track 1 and 2, I recorded Bass along
with the drums, panned middle, put down a guitar part. I then had to mix the drums and guitar
down to 2 tracks, which left me 2 tracks open for vocals..........................
During this time of learning I discovered what they meant by the "Art Of Listening". Thank
goodness I have read many articles on Recording. It hit me when I was trying to mix this
guitar into the drums and bass. I was monitoring through headphones as I was mixing. I
remember an article I had read about listening at very low levels while mixing will bring out
the parts that are overbearing.
I cut the levels on my headphones so I could barely hear it, but still heard the music. The ears
just need to adjust. I could hear where the guitar part should be. When it was too loud, and
when it was too soft. It really hit me like a ton of bricks. To prove it to myself I always listen to
a mix on a boom box that you can buy at any Electronic Department. Crank it up and listen to
the Mix. You'll be happy. Everything is in it's place.
Always Listen to your MIX! At every point of the recording process.
THE ART OF MIXING...
Touchy subject.
It's according on what you are mixing.
Listen to all the different songs there are today, and you will not here one style of mixing that
is in line with the other styles of music. In other words. You won't hear a big bass beat in
Country, just like you won't hear the vocals in your face, over the music in Dance. However,
when the mix is correct you'll hear everything in the mix. The vocals may not be in front of the
music in a dance song, but you'll hear ever word that is sung if you listen. Because of the mix!
Mixing is quiet hard to do in a live situation, unless you have a dedicated "Professional Mix
Person", because you have, lets say a four piece band, 2 guitars, bass, drums. Everyone is
playing an instrument through some type of amp, except the drummer, and his amp is his
arms. I will discuss Live Mixing in the Road Section in the future.
Now in the recording environment I am doing things that you are hearing on this Website,
and my Produced CDs.
I use an Alesis SR-16 Drum Machine that is connected to pads and it all can be "Mixed" in
stereo straight to the board.
Even Mixing comes in here when you mix a 5 piece set of Drums electronically you have to
think about that sound. Do you want the Snare in your face?
The way I mix the Snare is right under the vocal.
Bass Drum. In Dance you may feel it more. I put the Bass Drum and the Bass Guitar together,
trying to complement the low end. I also like to hear a bit of attack on the Bass Guitar to
distinguish the notes. (once again my preference in some songs.)
I like to hear the vocals out front, right above the Snare Drum, which to me is the driver of
any song with drums. (Yes you can do songs without drums, but not without a tempo.)
Next: Lets play music.....
.
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