A newbie who wants broadcast quality advice?

[timwelchtwo]

Hello All, First time posting on a forum. Oh so vulnerable! I started a few months ago with taxi.I finally had one song that was returned but received 8's and 9's for vocals music lyrics etc. The only constructive criticism I received was that the screener would like to hear this song recorded at the industry standard. I have a firebox, cubase studio 4, rode NTA large diaphragm mic and Sample Tank 2. Can I get to Broadcast quality with my set up? I am truly a newbie sound engineer. Seeking all and any advice on how to get to a better sound quality. here is the link!http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... trueThanks so much I have truly enjoyed reading all the positive criticism in the forums.

[slideboardouts]

You can easily get broadcast quality with that set up IMO. Most of my submissions are done with less equipment than that and I usually get "8's" and the "Well Recorded" comment on engineering and sound quality. I am, however, a pretty pathetic engineer Part of it depends on what style of music you are doing IMO. For me, any type of electronic music (hip-hop, electronica, pop, etc.) is easy to mix and can be done well with less equipment than styles that are composed of primarily "real" instruments (rock, folk, etc.). When I mix and master a hip-hop instrumental I do it all in Reason 4.0 from start to finish. It doesn't take too long and it comes out sounding pretty good. When I mix and master a rock song I'm in cubase with the waves diamond bundle, amplitude, and a gazillion other plug-ins and in the end the rock song won't sound as good as the hip-hop song that I mixed and mastered in Reason even though I had twice the "gear" and spent twice as long on the rock song . Sad, I know....I won't discount the gear, but the main contributing factor in getting "broadcast quality" is definitely your engineering chops. This has been a good resource for me: http://www.thewhippinpost.co.uk/I've learned some good tips regarding EQ and compression from that site. Here is another: http://www.tweakheadz.com/IMHO, the important thing with learning how to properly record, mix, and master is to take it slow. With all there is to learn about recording, its easy to get overloaded, throw your hands up, and say "I give up." Try to pick one or two things at a time and break things down in to manageable parts. Slowly but surely your mixes will start sounding better.Hope that helps.-Steve

[timwelchtwo]

Steve,Thanks so much for taking the time to submit those comments, it makes sense what you said. Have you ever had one of those rock songs with natural instrumental sounds forwarded on a broadcast listing? Was there a moment that you knew it had become broadcast quality? It almost seems like I need to go back to school (again) to get a sound engineering degree!Thanks,Tim

[Mark Kaufman]

I hear you, Tim, and I just acquired a Firebox and Cubase as well. I've got a lot of learning to do. Hope you get more advice on your set-up...I'll be listening too. -Lyle

[slideboardouts]

Quote:Steve,Thanks so much for taking the time to submit those comments, it makes sense what you said. Have you ever had one of those rock songs with natural instrumental sounds forwarded on a broadcast listing? Was there a moment that you knew it had become broadcast quality? It almost seems like I need to go back to school (again) to get a sound engineering degree!Thanks,TimI've only submitted one rock song and it was returned. The main reason it was returned according to the screener was that he thought the fourth chord should have been a V instead of a IV chord. Basically he/she didn't really like the melody.That song, though probably one of my worst rock songs, happens to be the best recorded/engineered and thats why I submitted it. Don't get me wrong though, that mix had issues. Mainly with the guitar.In regards to a "moment" where I knew it had achieved broadcast quality...its kind of hard to pin point an exact "moment" when its good enough. My rule of thumb is if you have to question the sound quality or mix, then it probably isn't good enough. I usually pass final judgement on a mix when I'm in my car on the way to work. If I can listen to my song and just "rock out" then its usually OK. However, if the quality of the recording/mix actually detracts from the listening experience then I know there are some serious problems. IMO, a solid broadcast quality mix will have issues that can be exposed with fairly careful listening, but they won't be so bad that they overshadow the music. -Steve

[steini]

I don't know what that screener was smoking, your song sounds to me superb and is also well written and good to listen. Only thing I notice maybe is that your lead vocal is very much in front, mauybe too much, and did you use deesser?pst. you saying it was your first return?? then you must be pretty damn good.

[steini]

I think maybe the screener did not think the song fitted the listing and was telling you to go and record this professionally which of course will usually be better cause this song has in my opinion potential to become a hit song.Very good job

[steini]

After listening to your song 4 times I have come to the conclusion that the main thing missing is working the vocals a bit, you need de esser and also bring it back sometimes, the accomp. is very nice to my ears. And second use peer-to-peer section for this I think, not tech.

[timwelchtwo]

Thanks so much for the kind words about the song. To clarify further, here is what the listing was for and exactly what the screener said. Let me know what you think.THE LISTINGContemporary & commercial MALE SINGER-SONGWRITER ARTISTS a la James Blunt, Daniel Powter, John Mayer, David Gray, Teddy Geiger, etc. are sought by President of successful Music Library/Publishing Company with extensive film and TV placements (Kill Bill 2, the Punisher, Las Vegas, the Shield, Bones, One Tree Hill, Van Wilder 2 + many more). He's not just looking for someone with one great song -- he wants artists with numerous place-able tracks so he can pitch them [songs & as an artist] to various film/TV/commercial projects. Catchy hooks & melodies and smart/clever lyrics are all essential. Make sure you have both clean and instrumental versions of your songs available upon request by the company. Broadcast quality needed [excellent sounding home recordings are OK]. Please submit two to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics/photo/bio. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than Feb. 8, 2008. What they actually said:Title: Yoohoo Music 9 Lyrics 9 Marketability 7 Arrangement 8 Production 6 Engineering 6 Musicianship 6 Lead Vocal 9Very interesting and playful song with a cool vocal performance, but doesn't quite meet the very high bar of broadcast quality set by this listing. Recording and mixing is not up to broadcast quality.Good songs with strong lyrics, but the production and performance quality may not meet the required broadcast quality for the listing. I would love to hear these songs produced and recorded with more of an industry standard quality. So....can I get to that quality at home? hmmdunno how much more money my wife will let me spend on this hobby!! Thanks much

[mazz]

I wouldn't get too disappointed with this return. The critique shows that the song and performance (vocals) are up to par (9's!!). The screener also mentioned "high bar" which is a clue that only a total package which can stand next to music by the "a las" mentioned in the listing will make it. Keep working on your engineering chops. Great engineers always say that the key to a great sounding recording is starting with a great song, so you're over halfway there!Mazz