On the road and demo recording…

It’s been a while. Along with all the crap that comes with running a record label, I’ve been at the studio working on a remix for JME (CD is dead) and some tracks for the Calzo Houdini album (now with no working title as we were urged not to use ‘How To Kill Friends & Influence People) which will hopefully be released before the end of August. We will definitely be releasing a single or two before then.

I like to spend a lot of time in the studio but thanks to the folks at Red Dog Music in Edinburgh I’m the proud owner of some shiny new studio toys that I can take on the road with me. I initially got the 19″ rack mount M-Audio Fast Track Ultra R8, but there were some huge compatibility issues with my setup. Major static and feedback isn’t a sound I like to record very often! I’m sure it’s a great piece of kit but I wouldn’t recommend it for on the road use. I returned the Ultra R8 and got my hands on the Zoom R16. So far so good.

I’m not going to do a review on the R16 but it’s a portable 16 track recorded (8 track simultaneous) with phantom power, uses SD cards AND is also a USB interface to record and control a DAW. I mostly use Cubase 5 and it seems to work alongside it perfectly so far. Check out more details here.

In the studio I tend to use Rode NT1a mics for vocals, amps and some brass instruments but at home and on the road, I opted for the MXL 990 and 991 condenser mics which sway more towards the budget end of the mic market. Still great sound from them so far! Mics are personal choice for producers and everybody has an opinion but so far so good. Nice bright sound and I don’t have to pre amp them as the R16 has 48v Phantom Power.

If I need to get a quick idea down at home or if I’m no where near the studio I’ll use the USB powered mini midi LPK25 keyboard from Akai and the Akai LPD8 midi pad control for drums or as a midi trigger. These tools are tiny and fit perfectly in to my flight case or rucksack with my laptop.

All of my tools are plugged in to my Sony Vaio laptop. Standard configuration 4GB Ram, Windows 7, Dual Core, two secure external hard drives and a load of software. The studio computers include 2 custom built Windows PC’s with Turtle Beach sound card’s driving them and an iMac.

Software – In the studio and at home, I use Cubase 5 for no other reason than it’s what I’m use to using. I learnt how to create, mix and edit music using Cubase SX3 and I stuck with Steinberg products. I’ll occasionally use Abelton Live 8 and Fruityloops if needed. I’m a huge fan of Steinberg VST instruments and for demo’s I’ll regularly use The Grand, Halion and Virtual Bass. For scoring orchestra demo’s I use the huge EWQL Symphonic Orchestra VST which in my opinion can recreate a full scale orchestra sound better than a badly mic’d live orchestra. These are the core VST’s that I like to use but I have a library worthy of the VST king and can spend hours just find the right plugin for the right sound.

Anyone has any questions about any of the tools I use, leave me a comment below and I’ll try and help. I’ll post up some info on my instruments of choice soon. I love guitars, nearly as much as this guy.

Peace out! Happy recording.

C

PS. Anyone else going to see Slash live in Edinburgh in July? I can’t wait! AWESOME!!