Home studio

[ramblinbill@bellsouth.net]

My name is Bill Duncan, and I have been recording seriously for 2 years now, becoming a real passion.

I built a studio in a 20' x 20' log building adjacent to my house. The walls are solid 8" logs, and with tuning, I have achieved a reasonably clean, bass rumble free sound for the area. I still use a stand alone digital recorder and I am very comfortable with it. I recently bought a computer for the studio and installed Sonar, but I have made very slow progress at changing over. I use Mackie 824 monitors for mixing, and I have a good assortment of microphones. Including top notch condensor mics, and one very good ribbon, fed through a 12AX7 tubed preamp. I recently added a Yamaha YPG625 piano, which has proved to be a real asset.

I record with some picker buddies of mine, with whom I have played for many years, and they are extremely good musicians. We do all of the backup music for most of the folks I record.

However, the one thing I try to attain in my recordings constantly eludes me; a, "sound", that recordings made in the sixties had. None of the recordings I hear being made today have that quality. Including mine!

I have been a fan of Chet Atkins for many years, and as a record producer he managed to get a clean, full, fat sound that I envy down to my toes. Every vocal, every instrument, can be heard separate, and sparkling clear.

I understand the difference in sound between digital and analog, as I have fought that battle for more than 30 years, starting with guitar amps. But the sound I am searching for is more than just the digital vs. analog thing. If you listen to some of the old Jim Reeves, Eddie Arnold, or Elvis Presley recordings from the sixties you can hear what I am talking about.

It does not matter what type of music, or artist you prefer, that is not the point or objective. There is a sound quality in these recordings that to me is absolutely beautiful. I wish I could get this sound quality in my recordings, but so far I have not!

Does anyone know what I am talking about? What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions? Thanks, Bill

[brandondrury]

I understand the difference in sound between digital and analog, as I have fought that battle for more than 30 years, starting with guitar amps. But the sound I am searching for is more than just the digital vs. analog thing. If you listen to some of the old Jim Reeves, Eddie Arnold, or Elvis Presley recordings from the sixties you can hear what I am talking about.

I was going to say that actually. The tape is part of the equation. There are tape recordings that sound terrible so I think the "magic" part doesn't hold too much water. There are so many factors that are different now than your favorite recordings from back in the day.

There is a sound quality in these recordings that to me is absolutely beautiful. I wish I could get this sound quality in my recordings, but so far I have not!

Does anyone know what I am talking about?

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about! Although I'm probably younger and my tastes are probably a little more accepting of modern production, there is something incredible to the recordings of the 50s, 60s, and to a lesser degree the 70s in regard to the sound you are looking for.

How do you get it? I have no idea! A HUGE part of the equation is Chet Atkins is the guy making the noise. There is a reason that Elvis was the star and not X non-Elvis person. So, while not trying to cop out, there is definitely something to the fact that legends by todays standards were the ones being recorded.

Of course, you then have the acoustical space, the gear, and the engineer practices of the day.

Brandon