Had some problems with mixing and compression at the last fpl practice.
Basically I have a live set with three input channels - one for Becky (flute/sax) one for Jim’s vocals, and one for Jim’s keyboards.
Each input track sends its output to three recording tracks, so it’s possible to build up to three layers from each source. There are two additional rhythm tracks preloaded with drum loops.
Now I put compressors on the three input tracks, to try and even out the sound levels (particularly the difference in input level between Becky’s sax and flute). They also really help to produce an even sounding bass track.
However, when layering three recordings from the same source, the overall sound level is too high, so I start off with the levels of the record channels turned down slightly. That means that the live sounds come through loud and clear, but are reduced when looped back.
Furthermore, I was putting a compressor on the main output channel, to stop clipping. However, this has a nasty effect when the bass line first comes in - it tends to take up the headroom and reduce all the other channels.
You can hear this on our first attempt at the live track who’s working title is “choir”.
In this second attempt I turned off most of the compressors.
If anyone has any comments or tips for creating a more even live sound I’d be very grateful. The problem is that mixing while recording and looping live is a fairly hectic business!
Cheers,
Steve.
Had a top weekend in Brussels with Elaine. Ate fantastic Mussels in a small back street restaurant, drank some Chimay bleu while listening to live jazz (nice), and generally soaked up the atmosphere of this great town.
Still can’t quite see what’s so great about the city’s major tourist attraction, the infamous mannekin pis (pictured).
More piccies here…
Photo by rooreynolds.
OK, so you’re a top band easily commanding audiences of 1500, and you’re only playing one gig in England on your current tour - where do you play? Hammersmith Apollo? Shepherds Bush Empire?
Well Sigur Rós, bless ‘em, only went and chose Southampton Guildhall! I suppose it means that getting to the ferry for today’s gig in Luxembourg isn’t too much of a hassle.
What an absolutely fantastic gig and light show! And for once the sound engineering at the venue actually did justice to the band.
Just spent a perfect week with the family in Polzeath, North Cornwall. I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of that place. Lots of surfing, walking, eating and generally hanging out. Lovely.
Had a great time down the Candle Club on Monday night.
Becky played flute and sax, Jim played keyboard and sang, and I looped everything in Live.
Seemed to go down pretty well with the crowd too, which was pleasing.
Sadly we didn’t record the output of the laptop because we were a bit pushed for setup time, but I think maybe Di recorded it from the crowd on Jim’s minidisc so if I manage to track that down and the quality doesn’t turn out to be too bad I’ll post it here sometime.
Mixing stuff on stage proved a bit tricky as the foldback monitors drowned out anything going on in my headphones, which ruled out and subtle effects mangling.
A great time had by all!
Jim Becky and I got together for our final practice last Tuesday before taking the show on the road (or at least down to the Talking Heads next Monday night).
You can listen to one of the pieces we made, recorded live on a minidisc, by clicking here.
It’s quite a challenge to create 8 minutes (240 bars @ 120bpm) of interesting loop based electronic music from scratch given 2 minutes setup time. We seem to have settled on a way of working which will hopefully do the job.
The limited setup time sadly means that I can’t take my midi controllers, so everything will be done with the mouse unless I can develop a decent computer keyboard strategy before monday. So what with recording what Jim and Becky are doing, sorting out the levels, and sending audio streams off to various effect busses it looks like I’ll have my hands full.
Can’t wait!
Just had a lovely weekend in Belfast. Went for a picnic in Castle Ward on the Saturday before going to the Waterfront Hall in the evening to see Paul Merton’s Improv Chums. Spent much of Sunday walking down by Belfast Lough. Didn’t get round to flying the kite sadly.
On Wednesday night Jim and I got together for another looping practice. We’re trying to put together a 10 minute live set where most of the music is created on stage and looped on my laptop using Live. We want to take Fake Plastic Loops to The Candle Club.
This is our third practice, but the first time we’ve ever recorded the output to minidisc. It’s amazing how a set that sounds promising during production ends up as a muddy tedious mess on review. That’s how our first effort turned out.
For the second effort we decided to simplify the process, only recording at most two loops of each part. That one went much better. Still a bit ropey for my liking (like when the drum beats come in out of nowhere). You can listen to it here (including 16 FREE seconds of silence at the start). Roll on next Wednesday night when we’re practicing with Becky.
Onwards and upwards.
I always thought may was the best month of the year, but this one’s been dreary. Still, at least the trees are looking lovely and green.
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I make electronic music on my computer with friends in Southampton, UK.
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