Good evening Home Recording Forum

[Mr Durden]

My name is Pete, from Detroit Rock City. I'm a musician/song writer who fooled himself into thinking that Protools was going to be easy to learn. What the hell was I thinking??

I just dumped a ton of cash on everything that I needed to get started on my path to digital home recordings. Begining with the Line 6 PODXT Pro, MBox2 with Protools LE, Yamaha studio monitors, a few condenser mics for my singer, M-audio 49-key rig, and to top it all off, I probably chose one of the more complicated drum softwares... DFHS. I built a PC running only WinXP with an Intel quad-core 2.9Ghz Processor - 160Gb internal (C:drive) ;500Gb external (E:drive) Both are SATA hard-drives - 4Gb DD3 RAM.

I installed Protools on my C: according to the manual and optimized my pc as recommended. I then installed DFHS on C: according to its manual. I couldn't properly install the M-Audio midi-controller. Still can't figure out why other than the fact that I'm retarded. Regardless, I think I bit off way more than I can chew because I know absolutely nothing about midi-sequencing or even opening a plug-in for that matter. I need some serious guidance as far as being able to put together a solid drum track.

My original plan was to purchase a Roland V-drum kit and play the parts myself to a click, but the space was limited and I got turned onto the idea of DFH. Haha...even setting up my Line6 interface was a challenge. I figured out how to record the guitar signal, but it didnt sound the same during playback. Some one recommended using S-PDIF, but I couldnt get that to work either. I am so overwhelmed right now, that I'm seconds away from busting out the good ol' Marantz 4-track cassette tape recorder. I have a Protools book, but I just don't understand the lingo. I'm too a.d.d. LOL!!

If anyone has actually made it through this pathetically long, digital cry for assistance, can anyone please help me start from square one?!? I would greatly appreciate any guidance![/font]

[MetalDave]

Yeah ADD sucks but you are going to have to read that book. About 50% of what you need to know is in that book. Well I don't run pro tools but All programs are basically trial and error. As far as the problems you are having.... Well just telling us the interface or Midi controller didn't install correctly, you may need to get a bit more specific. Like it worked but had clicks and pops or after installing it the computer didn't recognise it etc etc. It sounds like you have alot of great gear. you will have to let us know more specifically what the problems are or read the book. I am sure ProTools has a help menu you could read through that also. Help us help you. Just a little patience and you will get there. You know now it is not easy....Thats a start. With the gear you have you will crank out way better recording once you understand a few things than you will ever get with your good ol' Marantz 4-track cassette tape recorder.

[Mr Durden]

Metal Dave, I appreciate the quick response! I actually just figured out the problem with the controller and I got it to install properly. Now, Im trying to figure out how to use it with DFHS within Protools. I read somewhere that I should have loaded the samples in certain folder in Protools, but the manual did not specify where, so I installed them in their example folder called 'samples'. When I try to open DFHS as a virtual instrument, its telling me that I have to set the path to the sound. I'd rather just pay to have someone set it all up for me, then I can start experimenting/learning...

I've recorded and produced my past projects in million dollar pro-studios, but dude, I have to give credit wher credit is due because actually knowing the ins & outs of this software and understanding how to put it all together is just as much of an art form as being able to write snd arrange the music itself. I have a new found respect for audio engineers...

[MetalDave]

Mr Durden, I could probably do it for you but you would have to allow me access to your computer online. We would have to aggree on a time for me to do it. I am headed to bed now but maybe sometime durring sunday. I will check back and see when will be good for you. Try to PM me by clicking on my name by the picture and you can send me messages no one else will see. That is if you want me to do it. You have to go to your prefrences and find the path and let the software know where you put it. Good luck with everything. Good to see you are making headway! Youll get it I am sure.

[brandondrury]

Here are my thoughts:

a) Pro Tools is easy to learn, but it may take time to learn (if that makes any sense). I want to clarify that I'm not a Pro Tools user but I couldn't imagine it being much different from Cubase SX3. All recording software simply takes time to become familiar. It's all in the manual.

b) You are combining A TON of components all at once. It's a bad idea to attempt to get DFH Superior to work when you are having trouble with your MIDI controller. Troubleshooting is impossible when you have multiple links in the chain that are unproven. I'd start small. Record a song with acoustic guitar. Then add vocals on top. Then mix it. Going through that process with just a few tracks is the best way to start. You'll be forced to learn everything from automating reverbs to rendering the track down.

Then, I'd start playing around with your Line 6 PODXT Pro. It should not sound different before or after you record. How are you monitoring?

From there, you can start adding MIDI and get serious about DFH Superior (which is some of the most advanced / least simple drum samples our there). Luckily, once you get DFH Superior setup properly, it works the same way as any other sample package.

[Mr Durden]

Brandon-

Thanks for the input! I suppose I am diving into the deep end too quickly. I guess I'm just anxious to get this project started. All of the music is already written, arranged, and layered. I completely understand your logic in suggesting to start out as simple as possible and I would go that route, but time is against me. My vocalist and I have until December to produce at minimum, three songs. My greatest concern is sequencing the drum tracks and besides that, I couldn't even think about recording any guitar tracks without having completed the drum sequence first. If the compositions had consistant time signatures, I could easily play to a click track (can't figure that out either) but these have intense off-time signatures and tempo changes. It would be super easy to get lost. Blablabla... I'm going off on a tangent here...sorry

I'm pretty sure I got the m-audio key rig installed and working properly now. So, it's on to the next step which is figuring out how the DFHS interface works via protools. I'm not sure what settings to use as far as creating a new instrument track or midi-track, etc... mono or stereo? This would be so much easier if I could just play the instruments and let a guru take care of this aspect of it. Metal Dave offered to help set me up thru a remote connection, what do you think?

[RoyJeeBiv]

Durden --

how's the setup going?? like i said before, no need to panic -- i think once you get the audio/MIDI routing down, you'll feel more comfortable with the program.

hopefully this info will help...

first off, is this your DFH program??
YouTube - EZ Drummer Software From Toontrack review
i dunno if that'll be helpful, but maybe it will.

i still recommend those books/guides i mentioned in the other thread, but if you're eager to dig in as far as recording audio, these video tutorials might help (never mind that this is a post-production tutorial...the techniques are still applicable in working with an audio session) they probably won't help with your sequencing questions, but they'll help ease you into Pro Tools --
Setting Up a Record Session in Pro Tools | ExpertVillage Videos (always name your tracks before recording!!)
Connecting a Microphone in Pro Tools | ExpertVillage Videos
Setting Levels for Recording in Pro Tools | ExpertVillage Videos
Understanding the Edit Window in Pro Tools | ExpertVillage Videos
Using the Sound Busses in Pro Tools | ExpertVillage Videos
Automating Track Levels in Pro Tools | ExpertVillage Videos (the 'Touch' feature isn't exactly needed...you can use the Grabber tool, the Hand in the upper portion of the screen, to manually add Automation points for your audio)
Using Fade Shortcuts in Pro Tools | ExpertVillage Videos
Setting the Equalizer in Pro Tools | ExpertVillage Videos (holding the Alt-key and dragging Inserts will copy from track to track, exactly like the Option key on a Mac, as in the video)
Using a Compressor in Pro Tools | ExpertVillage Videos (applicable for Vocal tracks -- he doesn't talk about this much, so if you don't know about compressors, that's another thing to read up on)
Mixing Sound in Pro Tools | ExpertVillage Videos (Bouncing to Disk works, as well, but this technique he uses is helpful -- i always do this)

note that for your sessions, 44.1kHz/16-bit is the Red Book audio CD standard...i'd recommend reading up on the advantages of recording at higher sample rates (i.e. 48kHz), and, more importantly, the advantages of recording at 24-bit...then, also Dithering and conversion.

Quick Keys that might be of use, if you don't know them already:
Cntl + = ... Toggle between Edit/Mix Window
Cntl + Shift + N ... Create New Track
Cntl + F ... Add Fade (it's easier to use the Smart Tool for this -- note that if you double-click on the Fade, you can change its shape)
Cntl + [ or ] ... Zoom In/Out (easier with Command Focus enabled -- the "az" button in the top left corner highlighted, then you can simply press 'R' or 'T')
Cntl + Shift + K ... Export Region as File (i.e. like in the last video, you can highlight that final mix and export the file easily)

finally, as far as time sigs with the click...you'll want that, even for MIDI purposes...
- make sure the Conductor icon is highlighted in the Transport Window
- at the top left of the Edit Window, be in Grid Mode.
- to make Tempo or Meter changes, hold the Windows key and drag over either the Tempo or Meter Rulers at the top of the Edit Window. a little finger+ sign will come up, just click and enter the info wherever the change is. (just make sure it's in line with the Grid, i.e., 9|1|000)

hope that makes sense. good luck!!

[brandondrury]

time is against me. My vocalist and I have until December to produce at minimum, three songs.

3 songs in 5 months? You have PLENTY of time to learn your recording software incrementally as I suggested. When I switched to Cubase SX3, I had a lot to learn about Cubase, MIDI sequencing, etc and I had no problem producing an album that same month. You do have time to "properly" learn your recording software.

click track (can't figure that out either)

Surely this is in the manual, right?

[Mr Durden]

Thanks again for all of your efforts. I owe you guys a round of cool frosty beverages! I have a much better overall understanding of the software after watching those clips.

I wish I had purchased that EZDrummer as opposed to what I have. It seems to be made by the same company, but the interface looks much easier to use. I honestly think that once I figure out the DFHS interface and how to properly use midi & construct/record the drum sequence, everything else will fall into place... with trial & error of course. As long as I can put together a flawless sounding drum track, I will be much more at ease knowing that I have the foundation done and out of the way.

When I first installed PT on my laptop, I was just messing around with my Line6 PODXT pro. It has several different ways to send the signal thru the m-box. I recorded a few tracks of whatever to get a feel of how its done. I think I chose the wrong outputs because it sounded like crap. Everyone tells me a different story, but when I asked about the method that would give me the best possible sound quality from my PODXT, I was told to use the SPDIF out of the Line6 and that it would sound exactly the way it does when I'm playing thru my amp&cabs. Others told me that its better to mic my Boogie cabs and other way would be ridiculous... I bought the POD because of its virtual mic features thinking it would be less of hassle if it really sounded as good as a mic'd cab in a studio. Who's right & who's wrong?

[brandondrury]

I wish I had purchased that EZDrummer as opposed to what I have. It seems to be made by the same company, but the interface looks much easier to use.

It depends on what you are trying to do. I think that DFH Superior is easy to use.

I fire up the VST instrument for DFH Superior "drummer", make sure I have the correct map, I load up the drums I want, decide if I want to use robo quality with everything bleeding into each other or not, and then I start programming. Creating a great drum track in the programming stage is the hard part.

With that said, the new Superior Drummer 2.0 is supposed to be out anytime now and it's interface is supposed to be similar to that of EZ Drummer.

Brandon