Practice tip 4

Surfersaurus

Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Posts: 352
Australia

Posted on Sep 07 2012 08:52 PM

Playing good rhythm guitar is important and often overlooked in practice sessions. One way to practice this is to make your own backing tracks, either a song of just a chord progression that you can play over later.

There are many ways to do this, playing along with a drum beat, laying down a solid rhythm guitar first and then overdubing a 2nd guitar & bass etc..

Cheers
Martin

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hlieboff59

Joined: Jun 27, 2008
Posts: 576
Marlboro, New Jersey
5 Download Pins

Posted on Sep 07 2012 09:47 PM

Martin, is there a program/software that is available that we can multi-track different instruments. 1 for guitar, 1 for drums, 1 for bass, etc. Is there a free program or one we can buy.

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Surfersaurus

Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Posts: 352
Australia

Posted on Sep 07 2012 10:15 PM

I'm sure there must be many ways to record on a computer these days. The only one I know is Protools.
Back in the day I use to record between two cassette players - I would record the rhythm guitar on one and then play that back and then record another part on the 2nd cassette player with the 1st one playing back. I would put a bass track (sometimes playing bass on a regular guitar) and for percussion I would play the back of an acoustic guitar.
This was all just bouncing between two cassette players...things are much easier now..

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normj

Joined: Apr 26, 2010
Posts: 882
central Indiana
United States

Posted on Sep 07 2012 10:47 PM

guitar wrote: Back in the day I use to record between two cassette players

I am still back in those dark ages. Never learned how to record on a computer. I sure 10 year olds can do it. I have not. Until recently my last recording experience was on 4 track reel to reel decks. Recently I decided to do some recording again and moved up to a 4 track cassette.

Later,
Norm

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BillyBlastOff

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1070
Ventura County, Calif.
2 Calendar Pins

Posted on Sep 07 2012 11:14 PM

Very cool guitar tips you have been giving Martin. I dig those backing tracks you turned me on to. A must for any motivated guitarist. Highly recommended to everybody. Cheers!

—

Be careful following the masses. Sometimes the "M" is silent...........................

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tubeswell

Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
Antarctica

Posted on Sep 08 2012 03:14 AM

I use garbageband for this and mic my amp through my desk straight into the Mac, but AFAICT there is a slight delay between the playback and overdub which is tricky to manage. (I 'spose one of those fancy firewire interfaces might help in this regard?)

—

He who dies with the most tubes... wins

Surf Daddies

Last edited: Sep 08, 2012 03:14:50

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JStern

Joined: Mar 15, 2012
Posts: 105
San Antonio, Texas
19 Download Pins

Posted on Sep 08 2012 08:04 AM

I use a USB interface made by focusrite. There is no latency, and the sound is great. Going to eventually invest in a FireWire interface.

—

The Techtonics reverb nation page

Soundcloud page

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Ariel

Joined: Aug 29, 2009
Posts: 1556
Israel
Israel

Posted on Sep 08 2012 04:13 PM

tubeswell wrote:

(I 'spose one of those fancy firewire interfaces might help in this regard?)

It sure will. Either that, or a USB2 one.

JStern wrote:

I use a USB interface made by focusrite. There is no latency, and the sound is great. Going to eventually invest in a FireWire interface.

Again, just by being Firewire does not necessarily mean it's better. Know what you need in terms of features, then invest. If you're on PC, make sure your FW (if that's what you'll choose) slot is TI.

Upgrading, unless you are willing to jump more than one price category, may not be the best way to go. Your current card is OK enough for home use. If "There is no latency, and the sound is great", then getting a card that's 100$-200$ more expensive, won't make much difference. Avoid small steps here.

If you need more inputs, or looking to record and mix a full band - then by all means- make an upgrade. Something with serious coverters/drivers like RME or Lynx, with external preamps to your choosing, will be a significant step up.

What I mean is, chasing small incremental improvements in audio quality (that are minimal at most with modern gear) and useability, is not financially smart.
If you want to make your recordings better, there are many variables to consider before the soundcard.
You didn't ask me for advice I know , so excuse me if it's not relevant... others may benefit.

As for software, I always recommend Reaper.
Cheap, 30 day free, fully functional download, (which is just a couple of MB, including some great built-in plug-ins). Developers are the most responsive for user requests, and their business model is admirable. Can be a bit overwhelming to start with for newbies, but it's super customizable, can do anything that you'd ever want from a professional DAW, and the community is amazingly helpful.

Last edited: Sep 08, 2012 21:28:05

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JStern

Joined: Mar 15, 2012
Posts: 105
San Antonio, Texas
19 Download Pins

Posted on Sep 08 2012 11:32 PM

Great comments Ariel. I mainly want a FireWire interface for the increased number of inputs so I can record my drum set.

Getting back to the original topic, making backing tracks really helps me learn tunes in depth, because after learning and recording the bass, rhythm guitar and drum parts, I feel like I am able to approach the lead from a more informed angle. Also, it helps me to analyze the compositional style of each tune, which helps me to grow as a writer.

—

The Techtonics reverb nation page

Soundcloud page

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Surfersaurus

Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Posts: 352
Australia

Posted on Sep 28 2012 07:52 PM

Just briefly, don't let technology get in the way of making music.

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Surfersaurus Joined: Feb 10, 2010 Posts: 352 Australia	Posted on Sep 07 2012 08:52 PM Playing good rhythm guitar is important and often overlooked in practice sessions. One way to practice this is to make your own backing tracks, either a song of just a chord progression that you can play over later. There are many ways to do this, playing along with a drum beat, laying down a solid rhythm guitar first and then overdubing a 2nd guitar & bass etc.. Cheers Martin Top
hlieboff59 Joined: Jun 27, 2008 Posts: 576 Marlboro, New Jersey	Posted on Sep 07 2012 09:47 PM Martin, is there a program/software that is available that we can multi-track different instruments. 1 for guitar, 1 for drums, 1 for bass, etc. Is there a free program or one we can buy. Top
Surfersaurus Joined: Feb 10, 2010 Posts: 352 Australia	Posted on Sep 07 2012 10:15 PM I'm sure there must be many ways to record on a computer these days. The only one I know is Protools. Back in the day I use to record between two cassette players - I would record the rhythm guitar on one and then play that back and then record another part on the 2nd cassette player with the 1st one playing back. I would put a bass track (sometimes playing bass on a regular guitar) and for percussion I would play the back of an acoustic guitar. This was all just bouncing between two cassette players...things are much easier now.. Top
normj Joined: Apr 26, 2010 Posts: 882 central Indiana	Posted on Sep 07 2012 10:47 PM guitar wrote: Back in the day I use to record between two cassette players I am still back in those dark ages. Never learned how to record on a computer. I sure 10 year olds can do it. I have not. Until recently my last recording experience was on 4 track reel to reel decks. Recently I decided to do some recording again and moved up to a 4 track cassette. Later, Norm Top
BillyBlastOff Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 1070 Ventura County, Calif.	Posted on Sep 07 2012 11:14 PM Very cool guitar tips you have been giving Martin. I dig those backing tracks you turned me on to. A must for any motivated guitarist. Highly recommended to everybody. Cheers! — Be careful following the masses. Sometimes the "M" is silent........................... Top
tubeswell Joined: Sep 24, 2011 Posts: 1424 Wellington, NZ	Posted on Sep 08 2012 03:14 AM I use garbageband for this and mic my amp through my desk straight into the Mac, but AFAICT there is a slight delay between the playback and overdub which is tricky to manage. (I 'spose one of those fancy firewire interfaces might help in this regard?) — He who dies with the most tubes... wins Surf Daddies Last edited: Sep 08, 2012 03:14:50 Top
JStern Joined: Mar 15, 2012 Posts: 105 San Antonio, Texas	Posted on Sep 08 2012 08:04 AM I use a USB interface made by focusrite. There is no latency, and the sound is great. Going to eventually invest in a FireWire interface. — The Techtonics reverb nation page Soundcloud page Top
Ariel Joined: Aug 29, 2009 Posts: 1556 Israel	Posted on Sep 08 2012 04:13 PM tubeswell wrote: (I 'spose one of those fancy firewire interfaces might help in this regard?) It sure will. Either that, or a USB2 one. JStern wrote: I use a USB interface made by focusrite. There is no latency, and the sound is great. Going to eventually invest in a FireWire interface. Again, just by being Firewire does not necessarily mean it's better. Know what you need in terms of features, then invest. If you're on PC, make sure your FW (if that's what you'll choose) slot is TI. Upgrading, unless you are willing to jump more than one price category, may not be the best way to go. Your current card is OK enough for home use. If "There is no latency, and the sound is great", then getting a card that's 100$-200$ more expensive, won't make much difference. Avoid small steps here. If you need more inputs, or looking to record and mix a full band - then by all means- make an upgrade. Something with serious coverters/drivers like RME or Lynx, with external preamps to your choosing, will be a significant step up. What I mean is, chasing small incremental improvements in audio quality (that are minimal at most with modern gear) and useability, is not financially smart. If you want to make your recordings better, there are many variables to consider before the soundcard. You didn't ask me for advice I know , so excuse me if it's not relevant... others may benefit. As for software, I always recommend Reaper. Cheap, 30 day free, fully functional download, (which is just a couple of MB, including some great built-in plug-ins). Developers are the most responsive for user requests, and their business model is admirable. Can be a bit overwhelming to start with for newbies, but it's super customizable, can do anything that you'd ever want from a professional DAW, and the community is amazingly helpful. Last edited: Sep 08, 2012 21:28:05 Top
JStern Joined: Mar 15, 2012 Posts: 105 San Antonio, Texas	Posted on Sep 08 2012 11:32 PM Great comments Ariel. I mainly want a FireWire interface for the increased number of inputs so I can record my drum set. Getting back to the original topic, making backing tracks really helps me learn tunes in depth, because after learning and recording the bass, rhythm guitar and drum parts, I feel like I am able to approach the lead from a more informed angle. Also, it helps me to analyze the compositional style of each tune, which helps me to grow as a writer. — The Techtonics reverb nation page Soundcloud page Top
Surfersaurus Joined: Feb 10, 2010 Posts: 352 Australia	Posted on Sep 28 2012 07:52 PM Just briefly, don't let technology get in the way of making music. Top

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Practice tip 4