The one thing I need?

[hummingbird]

I think you need to add at least one external hard drive for back ups. I'm assuming you have a DVD burner, too.

[davekershaw]

Apr 20, 2008, 9:34am, hummingbird wrote:I think you need to add at least one external hard drive for back ups. I'm assuming you have a DVD burner, too. Thanks Vikki.I missed that off my list, along with my mother-in-law! Best add it.I do use a 250 gig external for backups,and a DVD drive.Look out for those reworked tracks sometime soon.Best wishes,Dave.

[squids]

Hey Dave!Happy to hear you're starting up....don't forget to throw in some bucks for the therapy of your choice (alcohol, whatevah!) when the stuff won't do what you want some days! I'm using a Blue baby bottle mic, which works cuz I'm an alto with a smooth voice.....it's good for jazz torch singer treatment. It's also got a really small pop screen, which helps with singers who don't like having something stuck in their face all day. It's pricey but I got a really good deal on ebay. Bill's having great luck with his setup but I know a female vocalist might need something a lil different or be prepared to really work your preamp to get it sounding where she wants it. Us females (sigh). We jes like that.

[devin]

As always, Mazz makes a great point...and this one about compression is a biggie. There's nothing worse than having a killer track recorded, but it has too much compression going in...it can't be undone! Finding a way to get really good at this is an art, and a requirement.(note: I'm not very good at it myself...but I'm starting to realize how important it is).Along this line, I think I take back my stance on "Dave, don't buy anything else until you explore the limits of what you've already got"...and add one piece of gear that can be really beneficial. If you haven't upgraded the Sennheiser's, seriously consider a great pair of quality headphones with excellent isolation for use when recording yourself. I used to use $20 earbuds with construction hearing protection over top....not good. You and I are very similar (mostly tracking by ourself, in the same room as the DAW, etc)...and that one purchase turned out to be a small leap, not just a step.Being able to set up your (new!) mic, and play your acoustic while hearing what your signal path is hearing is very educational. Silvercord and I both went with the AKG 271 headphones. I find the isolation really good for acoustic guitar...and now I can hear alot more of what the mic is picking up. Good headphones that isolate and accurately reproduce sound would greatly help you determine mic placement and compression settings...both areas are high on the list from the folks that have already responded.P.S. When you figure out the mic placement and compression, tell me how, OK?!?

[liamkelly]

Apr 20, 2008, 4:05pm, billg wrote:Steve, I sent you a pm but in case anyone else wanted to know about the replacement tube;it's a nos (new old stock) Mullard/Philips ECC81 bought it online from www.kcanostubes.com for $32 plus shipping.You know, Bill, I so respect you for sharing your technical tips Really I do. But the real truth is that you've got a voice with centuries of character And you use it so well They don't have a valve for that Liam

[mazz]

AAWWWWW Milfus, if you hadn't said it first, we might not be having this nice compression discussion! Now go de-compress!! We love ya! Cheers,Mazz

[davekershaw]

Apr 20, 2008, 12:07pm, squids wrote:Hey Dave!I'm using a Blue baby bottle mic, which works cuz I'm an alto with a smooth voice.....Do you take the milk out, or leave it in for a creamier sound?

[davekershaw]

Apr 20, 2008, 7:52am, davekershaw wrote:Apr 20, 2008, 7:14am, ibanez468 wrote:Don't forget the mother-in-law! I just loaned her my car for the day.She set off half hour ago for a day trip.I'll give it another hour 'til she's out the county,then report it stolen!Aww, fellas. I'm holding back tears as I type.They let her out!Said they had no room in the women's prison,and there was only one men's cell available,and then she'd have had to share with Mick the strangler.I begged them to reconsider, but in the end, had to agree with the police: It wouldn't be fair on him!

[matto]

Dave, one thing I can see right away, you're gonna need a LOT more synths for that Spice Girls sound you so adore!

[davekershaw]

Apr 21, 2008, 10:22am, matto wrote:Dave, one thing I can see right away, you're gonna need a LOT more synths for that Spice Girls sound you so adore! Right on Matto!You just reminded me. I didn't list Autotune!!