Getting back into recording. Advice needed.

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Fragglerick

Fragglerick

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So I'm getting back into home recording. Just got a Focusrite Scarlett with Pro Tools First.
Looking for recommendations on drum software and how to record guitar direct.
I used to use a drum machine but they're a pita and sound terrible. I plan on recording as much live guitar as I can but there's going to be times I need to be quiet so direct recording will be needed.
 
So I'm getting back into home recording. Just got a Focusrite Scarlett with Pro Tools First.
Looking for recommendations on drum software and how to record guitar direct.
I used to use a drum machine but they're a pita and sound terrible. I plan on recording as much live guitar as I can but there's going to be times I need to be quiet so direct recording will be needed.
I'm doing a new studio build and have spent a while checking out the latest and greatest and questioning my work flow (I have used the same stuff forever and now it is outdated). A couple questions--what kind of music are you doing? Do you want to track a drum performance in midi or just program them in the box on a sequencer in the computer?
 
Regardless, the answer is fairly similar I suppose. At the end of the day you will likely just sequence midi and run a plugin over it to make your sounds. You can use EZ Drummer, Superior Drummer, Steven Slate Drums if you want a VST style kit. They are versatile and have downloadable drum libraries that are good. Alternatively, you can use Kontact and download drum samples from different companies (STL Tones, Bogren, Joey Sturgis) that are usually more like one trick ponies (fewer velocity options and tweakability in ways), but are usually great at giving pro sounding results with minimal fuss and are more or less ready to go. I used to use VSTs a lot more but have been getting better results quicker using Kontact to host samples.

Just use the DI on your Focusrite for direct recording of bass and guitar and use an amp sims with some good IRs. Bogren or Ownhammer make really nice ones. If you want to direct track your amp, you can get a load box for the head and track the head and match it with an IR. Personally, I like the Boss Waza for workflow and simplicity and you can match it with an IR in the hardware. That's just a workflow preference. I believe others have posted (VESmedic? I think) have had good experiences with the Driftwood box--I'm sure that one rocks too. Overall, a few pieces of software and a load box (if you want to track your amp and not use a sim) are really all you need.
 
I'm not a recording pro and just do recordings as a hobby, but I've been able to throw together some decent songs (IMO) for cheap. Here is what I use:
- Reaper at $50 for life
- Focusrite Scarlett $119
- EzDrummer2 ($150?)
- EzMix2 ($150?) (Vocals)
- Sansamp ($250?) (For bass)
- For guitar tones I have done Friedman JJ Jr. With XLR emulated cab into my software

Here is one of the first recordings I did with this setup. I have been recording since the 90s but this is how I do them now. I do some mixing but don't best it to death and not a pro by any means. For me it is all about just having a good time:

https://mikepuskas.bandcamp.com/track/broken
 
IK Multimedia has a sale going on, buy 1 plugin and get 24 for free. Amplitube 5 with all the free add on packs would have you covered. Plus you can get extra compressors, eq, delays, etc.
 
You'll likely come to hate Pro Tools first - the restrictions are horrible. Maybe Reaper is a better starting platform.

EZ Drums make things, well easy. Drums are already processed so they're more ready to go out of the box than some other options.

Bass - this plugin is awesome, wait for a special:

https://www.nembriniaudio.com/products/psa1000-analog-saturation-unit

Guitars - well decided first if you want to use a tube amp or not. If yes, get a good load box and use IR's or just mic a cab. If you don't want to use an amp others can chime in - I've never enjoyed using amp sims really.

Good luck!
 
I need to be quiet so direct recording will be needed.
So many ways to approach this, plugins/ amp sims might be the easiest. Hardware modelers like Helix/AxeFX/Kemper work great too. Or you can do tube amps with load boxes and impulse responses. Or you can do'em all ;)
 
So many ways to approach this, plugins/ amp sims might be the easiest. Hardware modelers like Helix/AxeFX/Kemper work great too. Or you can do tube amps with load boxes and impulse responses. Or you can do'em all ;)
Listen to this man!! Great recordings over the years!

Someone mentioned EzDrummer. It is so easy and literally takes me seconds to move over a drum pattern to get inspired. I typically do that, with a riff in mind, to start thr recording process.
 
I'd get a good pair of Active Monitors. Bigger the better.
Plenty to choose from, and very affordable.
 
Are you using a Windows PC or mac?
Ditch the Pro Tools Free....

If you are using a Mac, Garageband will do a great job for what you need to get you started.

If you are using a PC, I'd suggest Mixcraft 9 as it is the equivalent of Garageband on PC and works great!
 
Pro Tools has a free edition??

I'm still using Cubase Studio 4 I bought in like 2007.. LOL I barely utilize what it can do already..
No need to upgrade I don't think.. It tracks just fine.
Latency is all about your Interface..
 
What you DON'T want to do is find a cool old vintage vibe console and buy it for a few hundred only then to turn around and spend 1500+ more on conversion and cabling. Be careful, once you set in on the recording world, the need to acquire and consume goes UP! You will be chasing the sound you hear on your favourite albums with a fraction of the budget the big guys had in the 80's and 90's.

Reaper is 60$, can't go wrong and tons of functionality.

Mixbus sounds great and has a cool layout and not expensive either. It can hang at times on start up and not the easiest at first to get hang of but also good sounding.

The best advice is to use a DAW like an old tape machine. Bare bones record and don't get consumed by the plugins and options you have. You will never get anything done. Analog forces you to make decisions and go with it. That can sometimes be more liberating.
 
If you don't already own Pro Tools, perhaps consider Garageband/Logic if you're on Mac. The stock drum software on there is actually pretty damn good, and even easier to get going than stuff like EZ Drummer. When I'm writing, I usually play along to those stock drummers because of how quickly I can get the ball rolling without menu-diving, then later on use Super Drummer/EZ Drummer to flesh it out even more with better samples. But the stock drummer software has become invaluable to how I operate. It basically supplants using the metronome for me.
 
Thanks everyone, lots of great info here. I’m running it on a Windows laptop. I’ve used Pro Tools before and it seems like PT first should be sufficient for what I’m doing. As far as guitar, I’m leaning towards amp sim/ plug ins. Not ready to dish out the $$ for a Kemper or AXFX yet.
What are some good sims? I used Positive Grid Bias Amp on my iPhone and it sounded kinda ok. Looking for rock/ metal tones.
 
The best advice is to use a DAW like an old tape machine. Bare bones record and don't get consumed by the plugins and options you have. You will never get anything done. Analog forces you to make decisions and go with it. That can sometimes be more liberating.

This is the best advice for starting out. MT power drum kit is a powerful (and free) VST drum set with a million built in grooves.

After you've done a bunch of work that way, THEN invest in a couple of $ plugins.

On those, As far as versatility/price ratio, the scheps Omni strip would be my first recommendation, and then one of the billion nice 'verbs.
 
This is the best advice for starting out. MT power drum kit is a powerful (and free) VST drum set with a million built in grooves.

After you've done a bunch of work that way, THEN invest in a couple of $ plugins.

On those, As far as versatility/price ratio, the scheps Omni strip would be my first recommendation, and then one of the billion nice 'verbs.

I got that Scheps omni strip for under 50 bucks on special. Goes to show what really goes on behind these things, maybe not as complicated as we thought if it can routinely go on special for 39 or 49$. It does sound good though but I wish I had the real deal where compression was concerned!
 
I got that Scheps omni strip for under 50 bucks on special. Goes to show what really goes on behind these things, maybe not as complicated as we thought if it can routinely go on special for 39 or 49$. It does sound good though but I wish I had the real deal where compression was concerned!
The Omni is a very, very powerful vst for short cash. Obviously it's not on the level of a hardware comp, but it has hipass/lopass gate/exp limiter and a million options BESIDES compression.

It's literally an all in one solution for very cheap

Plus it has a million presets that are great sounding, in case the user is overwhelmed by the options.

I use it all the time, even though I have more expensive vsts and hardware.
 
The Omni is a very, very powerful vst for short cash. Obviously it's not on the level of a hardware comp, but it has hipass/lopass gate/exp limiter and a million options BESIDES compression.

It's literally an all in one solution for very cheap

Plus it has a million presets that are great sounding, in case the user is overwhelmed by the options.

I use it all the time, even though I have more expensive vsts and hardware.

Agreed, I have also tried to strip back what I have and Scheps Omni, his neve strip and a waves SSL. The others i never really open. I'm actually pumped to see how this is all going to sound into the console I got but waiting on cabling and finishing my desk. Will be cool to compare VST EQ and console EQ. They say where the money/difference really lies is the summing and the compressors in the analog domain. Everything else you can essentially do in the box now but those hardware compressors, digital still can't quite do it. Then obviously analog sources like amps and pedals etc but as long as the mic pre is good or coloured the way you want it, you don't need that 1800$ mic pre, 500-800$ mic pre does just fine.
 
Lot of great suggestions above. All good. I would suggest if you must have quiet while mixing/recording, then invest in a great set of open-back headphones and maybe calibration software like Sonarworks

https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-reference

It runs on your pc/Mac and creates a good listening environment.
Otherwise, I’d recommend sound treatment over any certain gear. The best, most expensive gear will not overcome bad acoustics.
 
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