In class this week we went over possible combinations of inexpensive home studios, and the gear necessary to have one up and running with 16 channels in and out. Starting with the computer, have a powerful enough computer to handle the processes carried out by a DAW like Protools or Logic, with at least 2 GB of RAM memory. For Protools, the DIGI 002 or 003 are good models. They run between $1,000-1,500. A 1/4 inch patchbay will be necessary for routing signals where you want them to go. The API 312 mic pre’s are pretty nice and the API 550’s and 560’s are small, modular EQ’s that you can fit I a rack or on a channel strip. For Logic, using an RME interface will work. Protools will only accept Digidesign hardware.

We have been working on the mix for RawTracks 3 and I still can’t get over how well this song was tracked. All of the tracks are super clear sounding with very little bleed. The coolest thing we’ve done so far in lab was rhythmically rearrange one of the vocal lines at the end of the song and it sounds like the singer is rapping over it. We got our mono mix out of the board recorded into protools. We compressed the kick and snare through the distressors, and the vocals through the millennia. The snare was sent to a cool reverb-delay and we also sent the electronic percussion track there as well. When we did a mixdown, we used the board as an instrument too and we performed live automation! We controlled the reverb at certain sections of the song with the AUX knob. The board was being serviced and repaired for the rest of the week so we weren’t able to do another mix, but we will pick back up on Tuesday. There have been many issues with the board, so it’s great that it will be running solid soon.