Music Recording - DIY Style

[robert]

Awesome stuff. *Saves onto computer for future reference*
One technical question, though. What program was everything edited/cut/pieced together/etc in?

We've used Nuendo for both DXM and Redeemer.

That looks alot like Cubase. Is it similar?

In regard to music-making, it's basically identical.

[robert]

We pretty much work in layers, instrument by instrument. Sometimes 2 at a time, but never more.

How does the writing/rehearsing/recording process work? Do you write a complete song, then rehearse it until you know it well, then start recording? Or do you record bits of it as you come up with them, then just gather and learn to play it together right before gigs?

Most of the time we don't really know a song well when we start recording it. We learn and write it as we go along.

[Lysix]

In regard to music-making, it's basically identical.

Phew. xD
And as you mentioned earlier on how hard it was to record drums; Did you use a sample set or actually manage to record them yourselves?

That's me done for technical questions now. Thanks for the info.

[robert]

We recorded the drums for Redeemer in a studio owned by a friend, so he got some tax-free money there, and we got some drums.

[Del.]

Very nice...

But about bass, I don't think it really is necessary to use active P/U's or new string. Used strings and passive P/U's provied ''warmer'' tone IMO. tho, I don't have much expericence about recording or stuff like that.

[robert]

Maybe depends on what you like... We enjoy a little metallic grain to the sound, some presence instead of dullness, and also we used an E-string tuned down to B, instead of a real B-string at B, just to get it even more in that direction...

But if you want a flatter, "warmer" sound, that doesn't sting as much, I'm sure you can use anything from old strings to rubber bands. But we want the bass to be heard not only felt.

[Del.]

Warmer sound doesn't instantly mean that the bass isn't heard. I also love the fresh sound that new strings provide. But if you use low tuning like B, you really need some ''boost'' to make it heard. But when you play in, let's say, standard E-tuning, you dont necessarily need that imo. Depends on what u like. As said.
 
Just giving my opinion here. And I don't use rubber bands.

[Fallout]

But we want the bass to be heard not only felt.

I noticed that, the bass is definately a lot clearer on RRE - you can hear it much better now, I like it

[Star1]

Hi there! just a quick question, how the hell did you guys achieve the cool bass sound on Hate? Was it all done with a direct-to-pc bass, and softamps and effects?

[robert]

We actually used another bass guitar there. Kahl built his own bass, and we used that one on Hate, but for some reason we got shitty sound on some other songs.

However, it was an ordinary four-string bass with active pickups, I'm not sure what brand, but likely some EMG-bass-pickup-variety.

[MDX]

rob, amazing thread.

youre a legend for putting it up, its all the questions i could ever have wondered about with you guys. Great post. very helpful.

[Jack Lupino]

What do you use as a guideline for the drummer ?

Bad quality drums ?

Computer drums ?

Do you just record all guitars with a metronome ?

[Aphex]

Does Jonne use a pedal ?  and If yeah, than which one?
Or the sound he gets is all by the amp?
I love that sweet lead sound 

[Irrationalist]

Much apprecitated, nice job.

[robert]

What do you use as a guideline for the drummer ?

Bad quality drums ?

Computer drums ?

Do you just record all guitars with a metronome ?

He hears a click-track in his headphones, and often parts of the song as well to know where he is.