lo-fi wrote:I read that Madlib article too, and I know there's other cats who do it that way. If the beat's hot, it's hot and you can rhyme to it. It's that simple.
I used to track everything in Logic but it's just such a pain, and it takes the fun out of it. Sometimes you start tweaking **** and it just loses it's vibe.
Nowadays I record everything through the desk straight to stereo. If it's hot, it's a keeper, if not I do it again. Sometimes I do up to 4 or 5 different takes, on different days with FX flipped differently and stuff.
HOT TIP: after recording the track, keep the stereo recorder rolling and solo different channels, either on the desk or on the MPC. Don't change levels, pan or anything else. Make sure you have the full 4 or 8 bar loop for every channel. That way, if years later an MC says "I want to use the track, but halfway through I need 8 bars of just the beat and the bass", you can set that up in no time at all in any DAW. Plus if anyone wants to do a remix, you can just burn that one file to CD and they can do whatever.
(btw; soloing on the desk is usually better than soloing on the MPC because you want to mute any hiss from other channels. But on most desks the solo function only affects the monitor out, not the main out, so you'll have to manually mute all other channels in stead of just pressing one solo button.... )
true
In terms of tracking, myself I use a bunch of different tactics.. Since I don't own protools or cubase or anything. Let's just say I use alot of soundforge while recording. Along with somtimes acid pro4. I've even used reason to track out beats, it works, just a ****, and theres alot of memory, esp
if all the tracks are in wave (8+ 4min waves at a high rate is alot)... If I get the chance I try to hit up a friend's digital 8track... Also use a four track sometimes, but ahhhh...
Right now I am using a fantom X, I record the time in clicks(to get every thing on time)... Seperate the tracks, and record into the computer, then just mess around... Whether it be just using the waves in reason (to track out, all I do is use redrum, and play the wave and each different redrum has a different track.. But I also always feel like reason sucks life out of music (its prolly my soundcard).. Can do it on acid pro as well...
I personally just like recording to tape, and calling it a day... So I guess heads do it, but last beat I made I tracked it out, seemed more professional to me (also a ****, and took more time to do, for the same amount as just sending a beat)... If anything the song will take on a new angle when remixed by the performer and mastered... Then I get the rights back in a year (did a year lease deal (got paid with loot and drum sample dvds)... If it takes off, then I get to get more $$$... I tracked it out for the group, because I felt I would never be able to obtain the best sound with the equipment I was using, and since they have the means, and such, they will push it to its full potential... Plus they asked for a tracked out beat..
Then again, I am also the type of person, who likes to make music, and never save anything, sometimes just to tape (no hardware saves)... I've done this thousands of times, and its dumb as hell.... don't do that...
