Solo Projects

[shermanology]

So ever since my heart was first broken in 9th grade, I've always wanted to attempt a solo-project type of thing. Basicly me recording songs that I wrote, not to get signed or anything, but to just turn the book of lyrics I have into something more than a book of lyrics. My question is how exactly do you go about recording something like this. I am learning guitar, and can play some keyboard, but I am mainly a drummer. So I would want to play everything. How would you go about doing this? Thanks a bunch.

[charlielikeYAY]

Well I'm actually about to do exactly what you're talking about. There's nobody around where I live that really plays any instruments of anything, so I'm going to be doing everything myself. I'm not really sure exactly what you're asking. . .do you want to know how to go about learning to play the instruments you don't play, or are you not sure how to do the actual recording?

[shermanology]

the actual recording. I know the basics of guitar, just need to actually get one and start learning. Its more of the technical recording process that I know nothing about.

[charlielikeYAY]

the actual recording. I know the basics of guitar, just need to actually get one and start learning. Its more of the technical recording process that I know nothing about.

Ahh well I'll be glad to help you out with that. Do you plan to do the recording on your computer, or would you prefer an actual recording system, or does it make no difference?

[shermanology]

well I was planing on doing it on my computer, but I dunno. I am on somewhat of a low budget. Plus most (if not all) of this will be done in either my dorm or apartment (depending on how long it takes me to write all of this).

[BetsyXcore]

this has nothing to do with the thread, but i'd just like to let you know that i enjoy skylab's products. thank you.

[shermanology]

we enjoy the fact that you enjoy us.

[thecrowing776]

Get an effects pedal, run your guitar through the effects pedal into the mic jack of your sound card; get a really shitty cheap computer mic, and get such software as Goldwave, Audacity, Cakewalk or any old versions of CoolEditPro you can find, and spend plenty of time layering effects and balancing EQ's so that the shittiness of the recording is fixed.

Example: www.purevolume.com/thekennedyomen


enjoy, kids.

[shermanology]

Bad ass. Thats what I was thinking about doing, but wasnt sure how good it would turn out. I have a copy of guitar rig that I, uh, found. So I am thinking you record each track one at a time, correct?

[thecrowing776]

Yeah..I just record the rhythm guitar track, then any extra little lead parts, then vocals, then any weird sound effects or extra shit.


Then I spend 3 hours layering effects on my vocals so they don't sound like they were done with a $5 mic.


Another problem you may run into is volume of your pedal into your soundcard. Whenever I record my guitar tracks I have to turn down my mic input level, and my mic record level down really low so that the pedal doesn't get loud to the point of distortion.

Anyhow...carry on with the recording. Feel free to email me at thekennedyomen@rock.com with any questions.

And post some stuff on purevolume after you're done so I can hear how it turned out..

[ArTkY_]

Or you can actually get a good mic and mic your guitar amp.

[charlielikeYAY]

Or you can actually get a good mic and mic your guitar amp.
That's more what I was thinking. . .but that would invlove spending a lot more money.

[shermanology]

It also helps to have an amp. I had an acoustic guitar that I learned the basics on, but I had to give that back. So I plan on getting an electric and doing what thecrowwing said. Maybe if I get some more money, that will be the next step.

[charlielikeYAY]

It also helps to have an amp. I had an acoustic guitar that I learned the basics on, but I had to give that back. So I plan on getting an electric and doing what thecrowwing said. Maybe if I get some more money, that will be the next step.
Good luck, and like thecrowing said, be sure to post some stuff on purevolume for us to hear.

[snowtires]

the first thing i'd do would be to use something like fruity loops or reason to make a click track. recording everything all scattershot isn't going to really accomplish anything; it'll probably sound a bit iffy. if you at least have a consistent pulse for each track, things will line up a lot better and sound a LOT better. every album you love was recorded with either the drummer playing to a click track or the entire band playing to a click track, those who say they weren't are lying. unless it's some crazy band like the red chord or dillinger, i doubt they play to a click.

[shermanology]

the first thing i'd do would be to use something like fruity loops or reason to make a click track. recording everything all scattershot isn't going to really accomplish anything; it'll probably sound a bit iffy. if you at least have a consistent pulse for each track, things will line up a lot better and sound a LOT better. every album you love was recorded with either the drummer playing to a click track or the entire band playing to a click track, those who say they weren't are lying. unless it's some crazy band like the red chord or dillinger, i doubt they play to a click.
Of course. People who dont use clicks make me sad.

[merv the perv]

You could always just use the crappy mic that comes with your computer and the sixty second windows recording program and get really good at layering stuff like I did... www.purevolume.com/jesusnpals (http://www.purevolume.com/jesusnpals) :)

[thecrowing776]

You could always just use the crappy mic that comes with your computer and the sixty second windows recording program and get really good at layering stuff like I did... www.purevolume.com/jesusnpals (http://www.purevolume.com/jesusnpals) :)


Jesus'n'Pals is brilliant. lol.

And with only the Sound Recorder applet?

Damn.

Good work.

[shermanology]

That was the greatest thing I have heard in awhile. forgot about dre was my favorite.

[merv the perv]

Jesus'n'Pals is brilliant. lol.

And with only the Sound Recorder applet?

Damn.

Good work.
Thanks. We should be the featured band.

That was the greatest thing I have heard in awhile. forgot about dre was my favorite.
I recorded that when I skipped class last fall because I was sick. I guess a phat beat was my cure.

[pinklar]

the first thing i'd do would be to use something like fruity loops or reason to make a click track. recording everything all scattershot isn't going to really accomplish anything; it'll probably sound a bit iffy. if you at least have a consistent pulse for each track, things will line up a lot better and sound a LOT better. every album you love was recorded with either the drummer playing to a click track or the entire band playing to a click track, those who say they weren't are lying. unless it's some crazy band like the red chord or dillinger, i doubt they play to a click.
our whole records drums were done in fruityloops. www.myspace.com/sepia (http://www.myspace.com/sepia)
aaron took each sample, tweaked the eq and made them sound incredible. he blows my mind, sometimes.

i do a lot of solo stuff, mostly with my uncle who is a producer. we just write gay formula radio pop songs and shit. fun, fun times.

[IcedOpethBlind]

So ever since my heart was first broken in 9th grade, I've always wanted to attempt a solo-project type of thing. Basicly me recording songs that I wrote, not to get signed or anything, but to just turn the book of lyrics I have into something more than a book of lyrics. My question is how exactly do you go about recording something like this. I am learning guitar, and can play some keyboard, but I am mainly a drummer. So I would want to play everything. How would you go about doing this? Thanks a bunch.

i have a little cord i bought at radioshack for 5 bucks that i plug into the back of my computer's soundcard, then the other end into my acoustic guitar and record guitar that way. you can also record a mic that way. it's not pristine qualit yor anything of course but it's audible. you can actually check out what it sounds like by checking out my band's link in my signature. that was recorded with the cord.