Live recordings

Date: 30/12/09
Duration: 5 hours (so far, more to follow)

On my previous post I posted about the recordings I made and the PA duties I did at the gig. This post is about my progress so far on processing those recordings. This includes EQing, comping, volume automation etc. I have so far finished 3 out of 6 recordings. There were other recordings made at the gig but they were almost beyond saving (reasons stated in previous post).


I first had to import recordings made at the gig from my Boss BR-600 portable recorder onto my iMac. I exported the files in WAV format.

 

Once the files were on the imac, I transferred those files into a folder.

Once I transferred the audio into Logic, I began by listening to the track few times and finding any anomalies. I used automation to control the balance of the track throughout, areas where I thought were quieter than others I raised the volume and lowered the volume were there were undesirable noises (ie feedback, excessive string noises etc). When I was satisfied with the balance of the track, I used compression to make extra sure the balance of the track were kept at nominal as possible.

I used EQ to make the vocals on the track cut through better and to attenuate bass and high frequencies.

Because the track was a joint stereo, it limits much processing that can be done. Ideally it will be much easier to mix audio if all sound sources were kept on different tracks but with equipment available it was not possible (Boss BR-600 only allows for up to 2 tracks simultaneous stereo tack recording). Not having the separation meant any processing done to the track affects all sound sources and this made it difficult. There were also reverb/delay used on the vocals live. This meant it was difficult to add any more reverb or delay to the track without making the recording sound muddy.

Here is a link to one of the song which has been processed. The song is a cover played by one of the groups.

Here is the recording: