Zoom HD16 recording.

[CatCalledDog]

All done on a Zoom HD16 Di-ing the following...

V-Drum Td-3 (entry level kit)
Pod 2.0 (to record electric and Bass guitar)
SE2200 Microphone
Big baby Taylor (recorded with the SE2200)
Fender Strat (96 USA model)
Fender JD Tele (80s jap model) (Slide guitar)
Yamaha Bass ( RG series)

Pretty much a straight take with the drums and vocal track. Overdubbed the guitars later on.

Tracks called Almost Black.....Let me know what ya thinks :-)

[Lastrite]

Very nicely done.

I would probably try to get the drums to punch through a little more and maybe level out the lead vocal a little, but that's just me. Also, the sibilance seems to be exaggerated by the plate reverb. Maybe add some de-ess before the send or go down on reverb some. Then again, it might be an effect you're actually after...

Sounds good.

[CatCalledDog]

Originally Posted by Lastrite

Very nicely done.

I would probably try to get the drums to punch through a little more and maybe level out the lead vocal a little, but that's just me. Also, the sibilance seems to be exaggerated by the plate reverb. Maybe add some de-ess before the send or go down on reverb some. Then again, it might be an effect you're actually after...

Sounds good.

Hey thanks for the comments & suggestions.

Originally done this as a demo with the intention of re-doing it in cubase with BFD etc, but came out quite nice. I've since got to grips with some of the HD16s effects, mic settings etc which are really nice. I think its a good enough take to go back and play with the levels & reverbs like you suggest.

The story behind this is that this was the result of getting together with a couple of old friends who I used to be in a band with almost 20 years ago.Now all in our mid 30's decided to get together. Got 3 or 4 ideas on the go.

Back to the Zoom HD, just wanted to show how quickly you can put together a resonably good quality demo together (Im old enough to remember positioning cassette recorders in the corner or the room trying to get the best sound - I even remember sending those recordings to venues trying to get gigs, with various results).

Quite a few people on here asked about the HD16 so I thought this would give them an idea of what it sounds like (i'm no studio engineer). Its easy to set up, record and mix. Everyone in the band can come away from a session with a working demo or alternatively you can work on producing a fairly decent demo.

I think my whole set-up including the HD16, V-Drums, Pod etc comes in at around £1200 (excluding guitars) which is equal to about two 3 day sessions in a mid range studio over here in England.

[brandondrury]

When I heard the first couple of clicks I thought I was listening to a techno / electronic song because I really couldn't tell what I was hearing because of the enormous use of effects.

The general rule is that if you have such over the top effects that the instrument doesn't sound natural when the song breaks down a bit and you hear the instrument by itself, you've probably went too far. (This only applies when you want a natural sound).

It sounds like we are doing a Tom Petty type of thing. I can handle that.

I'm not hearing any bass to speak off and this genre requires a bass to pump up the groove. Okay, it came in eventually. I think the intro sound enemic without it. Get it in there right when the drums kick in.

The lead guitar hurts. It's got way more 3k than I'd want, but I'm guessing you didn't EQ that. I'm guessing that came from the amp/emulator itself.

That hi-hat reverb I mentioned earlier is killing this whole mix in my opinion. Can you reduce it?

[CatCalledDog]

Hi

Thanks for the tips.

I'm cool with the Tom Petty thing....love him to bits.

Yeah your bang on about the Reverbs, funny how things suddenly stick out like a sore thumb when someone points them out.

I think in someways I was trying to mask the fact it was an electronic kit. The drummers since re-wrote the drums on the verse giving more 'space' (hope thats not classed as a dirty word) to the track.

Lead is a bit sharp in the mix (really enjoyed playing lead guitar again so maybe my ego got the better of me :-)

Not sure about bringing the bass straight in, quite like the fact the track steps up when it comes in (but hey i'll this is the age of multi track recording so will do a second track of bass and compare the two.)

I do struggle getting a decent bass sound regardless to what I use to record it. Was thinking of getting a Bass Pod, anyone use one?

Thanks again for everyones advice.

[Lastrite]

My experience with basguitar sound:

Most of the times, the problem you think you are having with the basguitar actually has more to do with other tracks. Any decent basguitar can provide a very workable sound through most modern high-z preamps. A small narrowcut at the Kick's sweetspot and maybe a little wide boost at around 1-2 Khz to emphasize the attack and your base-tone should be fine. Try adjusting guitartracks to allow the bas to dominate the low-end.

A Baspod is a fine piece of equipement, but I don't think you'll get better results then with your regular Pod (unless you're after bas-specific effects).

[brandondrury]

I think in someways I was trying to mask the fact it was an electronic kit.

You've always got to be careful with that one. It is what it is a big theme in my home recording book.

I do struggle getting a decent bass sound regardless to what I use to record it. Was thinking of getting a Bass Pod, anyone use one?

I recorded one once. I could tell it added some character in a pleasing way. With that said, I wonder why going straight in isn't sounding good to you. It should. Is your bass inadequate? You may get better results by getting a new bass (or investing in new strings from time to time) than by purchasing the pod.

If I was given a bass pod, I would sell it. I'm not against the products, I just don't have any real need for them. If need a certain character there are tons of amp simulator plugins out there now that do a fine job on bass (in my opinion).

Brandon

[adorian]

Overall the mix is a bit bright for my taste, vocals overly sibilant, the bass need to be pumping better, the hi hat definitely needs to be tamed in, the verb need do go down drastically on everything or maybe a different reverb patch, something more natural or darker sounding. If you can might want to eq the verb and cut off any higher frequencies after 4k.
The drums are not sounding as fake as I would've expected from this kind of kit, so good job on that.
The lead guitar is bright and it does sound like it is coming out of a processor.

[MarkAH]

I like it, although i dont know if its just the speakers i'm using but i might try and make the bass drum cut through a bit more... but i do like the song!

[Blackbottom Stomper]

Hi guys.
I'm from Gothenburg, Sweden and 40 (ish)...got myself a Zoom HD16 six months ago. It really is, like said many times here at the forum, very easy to get started and manage. I'm been playing guitar since I was fifteen. I was pretty cool with my first recordings. Listening to them now I understand that I had a lot to learn and still have after listening to you guys. I will eventually post a recording for you to dig into.
Just reading your conversation gives me hints of the sometimes subtile science of recording music...

See ya.

Black B.