[guidocreo]

I'm testing the setup of my new mixer Yamaha MG12XU: free blowing on a little boring backing track

Ciao and keep you safe.

 

[billpf]

I'm testing the setup of my new mixer Yamaha MG12XU: free blowing on a little boring backing track

Ciao and keep you safe.

Hi Guido,

I've just had a listen and compared it to the version of 'I Wish I Knew' that you recorded on tenor.

On this latest recording your tenor is higher in the mix against the backing track and I think this allows for a better appreciation of your tone. The sound quality seems a little brighter and there is more reverb. I think with some tweaking of your settings this new setup will allow you to achieve an excellent quality sound on your recordings. My personal taste would be for a less 'dry' sound and also a bit less reverb, but that is just me.

Besides the mixer are all the other elements the same? Are you using the same microphone and recording in the same room location?

Like you I am always thinking of ways to improve the quality of my recordings. Could you describe your setup? What sort of microphone are you using? Are you using any effects other than those on your mixer, and it appears you then record the mixer output on a DSLR camera, is this correct?

Regards,

Bill

 

[guidocreo]

Hi Guido,

I've just had a listen and compared it to the version of 'I Wish I Knew' that you recorded on tenor.

On this latest recording your tenor is higher in the mix against the backing track and I think this allows for a better appreciation of your tone. The sound quality seems a little brighter and there is more reverb. I think with some tweaking of your settings this new setup will allow you to achieve an excellent quality sound on your recordings. My personal taste would be for a less 'dry' sound and also a bit less reverb, but that is just me.

Besides the mixer are all the other elements the same? Are you using the same microphone and recording in the same room location?

Like you I am always thinking of ways to improve the quality of my recordings. Could you describe your setup? What sort of microphone are you using? Are you using any effects other than those on your mixer, and it appears you then record the mixer output on a DSLR camera, is this correct?

Regards,

Bill

Ciao Bill,
yes, I'm using the same microphone and recording in the same room location.

The microfone is a dynamic ELECTROVOICE ND46 and I recorded the mixer output on an iPad while for "I Wish I Knew" I recorded the mixer output (a different mixer) on a MacBook pro.

I'm using only the effects on the mixer.

I am trial and error setting up the mixer, what I was using previously was much simpler and it was difficult to make big setup mistakes.

Thank you very much for your listening and for your comments.

Ciao and keep you safe.

 

[guidocreo]

That sounds very professional sounding. The quality of the sound is superb. Nice tweaking job. It's getting better all the time.

A lot of thanks !

 

[guidocreo]

...
The microfone is a dynamic ELECTROVOICE ND46 and I recorded the mixer output on an iPad while for "I Wish I Knew" I recorded the mixer output (a different mixer) on a MacBook pro.
...

Addendum: Mixer -> FOCUSRITE iTrack One Pre -> iPad

 

[guidocreo]

Another attempt: free blowing on a blues backing track.

 

[Alex Nyman]

Another attempt: free blowing on a blues backing track.

I think the recorded sound of the horn is much better Guido. Sits well in the mix. Have you tried other reverb settings? Are you using a compressor in the signal chain? What does the signal chain look like from the mic to the DAW? It';d be useful to then maybe offer some other thoughts. But you';re certainly on the right path. Bravo.

 

[guidocreo]

I think the recorded sound of the horn is much better Guido. Sits well in the mix. Have you tried other reverb settings? Are you using a compressor in the signal chain? What does the signal chain look like from the mic to the DAW? It';d be useful to then maybe offer some other thoughts. But you';re certainly on the right path. Bravo.

I select the option 3 (room A) instead of option 1 (Hall A) for the reverb setting.
I use the mixer compressor (knob ? I think) setting at a low level.

The chain is:
Mic -> mixer -> Output Aux1 - FOCUSRITE iTrack One Pre -> iPad
instead of
Mic -> mixer -> Output Monitor - FOCUSRITE iTrack One Pre -> iPad

Ciao and thanks for your hear.

 

[billpf]

Another attempt: free blowing on a blues backing track.

I much prefer the sound on this recording Guido, so I think you are definitely heading in the right direction!

The backing tracks you have used are quite different dynamically and so where the sax sounded a bit too prominent in your first mix, I think in the second recording it could actually be a little higher in the mix because of the dominance of the bass in the backing track. I think the reverb sounds better on the second recording as well. To my ears it sounded a bit high on the first recording.

With regards to reverb, it can be used to artificially create a sense of the space in which a recording is made. Hence they use terms like 'room' or 'hall' for various presets. For it to be effective in creating this sense of space reverb should be applied to the rest of the band as well so that it sounds like you are all in the same location. On your second recording there is a noticeable difference in the amount of reverb on your sax compared to the other instruments, so this actually highlights the fact that you are not together in the same space, and that it is a just a backing track. Maybe try adding a similar amount of reverb to the backing to create the sense that you have a full band at home with you!

Bill

 

[Alex Nyman]

I think the recorded sound of the horn is much better Guido. Sits well in the mix. Have you tried other reverb settings? Are you using a compressor in the signal chain? What does the signal chain look like from the mic to the DAW? It';d be useful to then maybe offer some other thoughts. But you';re certainly on the right path. Bravo.

I select the option 3 (room A) instead of option 1 (Hall A) for the reverb setting.
I use the mixer compressor (knob ? I think) setting at a low level.

The chain is:
Mic -> mixer -> Output Aux1 - FOCUSRITE iTrack One Pre -> iPad
instead of
Mic -> mixer -> Output Monitor - FOCUSRITE iTrack One Pre -> iPad

Ciao and thanks for your hear.

What DAW are you using on your iPad Guido?

Wise words too from Bill.

 

[guidocreo]

What DAW are you using on your iPad Guido?

Wise words too from Bill.

I don't use any DAW: the native app Camera video recording to acquire video and sound.

In other video or soundcloud mp3 I have used Logic Pro on mac without a mixer but using a Focusrite Scarlet 2to2.

Ciao

 

[guidocreo]

I much prefer the sound on this recording Guido, so I think you are definitely heading in the right direction!

The backing tracks you have used are quite different dynamically and so where the sax sounded a bit too prominent in your first mix, I think in the second recording it could actually be a little higher in the mix because of the dominance of the bass in the backing track. I think the reverb sounds better on the second recording as well. To my ears it sounded a bit high on the first recording.

With regards to reverb, it can be used to artificially create a sense of the space in which a recording is made. Hence they use terms like 'room' or 'hall' for various presets. For it to be effective in creating this sense of space reverb should be applied to the rest of the band as well so that it sounds like you are all in the same location. On your second recording there is a noticeable difference in the amount of reverb on your sax compared to the other instruments, so this actually highlights the fact that you are not together in the same space, and that it is a just a backing track. Maybe try adding a similar amount of reverb to the backing to create the sense that you have a full band at home with you!

Bill

Bill, thanks for your hear. I agree with you on reverb, but my main purpose is not to get a better recording but a better sax sound to learn how to use the mixer for future live performances.

But since better recordings don't go against my primary focus I'll definitely follow your suggestion .

Ciao.

 

[billpf]

Bill, thanks for your hear. I agree with you on reverb, but my main purpose is not to get a better recording but a better sax sound to learn how to use the mixer for future live performances.

But since better recordings don't go against my primary focus I'll definitely follow your suggestion .

Ciao.

Apologies Guido,

I didn't realise you were working on your live, rather than recorded, sound.

What sort of live gigs do you perform? Hopefully something in a low volume setting with other acoustic instruments! I say this because most of my limited experience of live playing has been in bands full of electric guitars, and drummers who felt the need the mic and amplify themselves even when playing in a small club! In this setting I never had the time to consider the 'quality' of my sound. I had to focus all my efforts on the 'quantity' - ie the volume! I was doing very well if I could engineer a set-up where I could hear myself, and even better if the audience could too. But most of the time I would fail on both counts!

This is a long-winded way of saying that I haven't got any advice for you about live sound! But the great thing about SOTW is that there are plenty of people who will be able to help. Perhaps you could start a thread asking for advice about the best mixer settings for live sound?

Bill

 

[guidocreo]

Apologies Guido,

I didn't realise you were working on your live, rather than recorded, sound.

What sort of live gigs do you perform? Hopefully something in a low volume setting with other acoustic instruments! I say this because most of my limited experience of live playing has been in bands full of electric guitars, and drummers who felt the need the mic and amplify themselves even when playing in a small club! In this setting I never had the time to consider the 'quality' of my sound. I had to focus all my efforts on the 'quantity' - ie the volume! I was doing very well if I could engineer a set-up where I could hear myself, and even better if the audience could too. But most of the time I would fail on both counts!

This is a long-winded way of saying that I haven't got any advice for you about live sound! But the great thing about SOTW is that there are plenty of people who will be able to help. Perhaps you could start a thread asking for advice about the best mixer settings for live sound?

Bill

Why apologies ?

You makes me smile because, until today, I play live in "bands full of electric guitars, and drummers who felt the need the mic and amplify themselves even when playing in a small club".:mrgreen:

Fortunately, we usually play outdoors on large stages towards large squares and we are served by professional audio services that allow us saxophone players to be heard by the audience and, sometimes , to hear ourselves on stage.

The past summers we managed to have about ten dates but this year absolute zero. In my area the only ones who play live are the small acoustic groups.

My goal is to backing a good singer (female) with a rhythm section and a sax (me) but, probably, I will continue for a long time to have fun with the backing tracks and to share my recordings on the forums and socials.

So your suggestions on how to better record my performances are helpful and welcome.

Ciao and keep you safe.

 

[guidocreo]

I continue with my experiments: a vague remembrance of a great tune by Elton John:

Ciao and keep you safe.

 

[billpf]

I continue with my experiments: a vague remembrance of a great tune by Elton John:

Ciao and keep you safe.

Very nice Guido! A great tune and a very soulful interpretation- bravo!

With regards to the recording I think you are definitely heading in the right direction. I thought that the balance between yourself and the backing was excellent, as was the use of reverb - there was just the right amount to emphasise the mood without it being a distraction. The overall sound was very natural. I also like the sound of your alto. Compared to the previous recordings you posted on this thread it was a fuller sound, not as bright as before, and this allowed for a better appreciation of the full range of your tone. I could hear the high frequencies clearly but also the lushness when you were applying subtone to the lower notes. It was very well balanced I thought.

Keep on experimenting!

Bill

 

[guidocreo]

Very nice Guido! A great tune and a very soulful interpretation- bravo!

With regards to the recording I think you are definitely heading in the right direction. I thought that the balance between yourself and the backing was excellent, as was the use of reverb - there was just the right amount to emphasise the mood without it being a distraction. The overall sound was very natural. I also like the sound of your alto. Compared to the previous recordings you posted on this thread it was a fuller sound, not as bright as before, and this allowed for a better appreciation of the full range of your tone. I could hear the high frequencies clearly but also the lushness when you were applying subtone to the lower notes. It was very well balanced I thought.

Keep on experimenting!

Bill

Thanks Bill,

soon I will post a new experiment.

Ciao

 

[guidocreo]

Another experiment: free blowing on a great tune by Pino Daniele: "Chi tene o mare" (who has the sea).

The other sax that you hear is the great italian player Jam Senese.

Ciao and keep you safe.