Multitrack Recording

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Multitrack Recording

Introduction:

We were set the task of recording a music session involving the

following instruments:

Bass Guitar (using amplifier)

Electric Guitar (using amplifier)

Electric Piano

To record this session we used multitrack recorders (4 track Tascam

and 8 track Yamaha MT8X) and recorded onto audiocassette. We used the

following microphones to pick up our sound sources:

Senheiser ATM 33 (condenser microphone)

Shure SM58 (dynamic microphone)

Recording:

My group had the responsibility of using the Tascam 4 track recorder.

We used 2 Shure SM58 dynamic microphones, which were connected to

channels 1 and 2. Dynamic microphones are used for loud, low frequency

instruments like guitar amplifiers, bass drums etc… and do not need

phantom power. Phantom power is a DC current sent through the

microphone cable from the multitrack recorder to power the microphone.

We used our microphones to record the bass guitar amplifier and the

electric guitar amplifier. We placed them roughly 30cm from the cone

of the amplifiers (Fig. 1).

We also used the Yamaha MT8X 8 track recorder to record the music

session.

We used 2 Senheiser ATM33 condenser microphones, which require phantom

power. Condenser microphones are a lot more sensitive than dynamic

microphones and are used for high frequency instruments like flutes,

vocals etc… for this reason the group used the microphones to record

all the instruments together. we positioned the microphones roughly 3

metres apart (Fig. 2).

Below is a diagram illustrating the positioning of the microphones:

Fig. 1 Fig. 2

Mixdown:

After our recording was complete we were set the task of "mixing down"

our project. This involves connecting the multitrack recorder to a

recording console (we used a mini disc recorder) and combining the

separate audio tracks together. During this process volume, tone and

spatial positioning (panning) can be altered to the artists/producers

desire.

At first we made the mistake of adjusting the input level on the

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