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Post by solipsistnation on Sept 24, 2022 22:02:27 GMT
I got curious about recording during the online meetup today, and about how people are recording their AE modular stuff (or other things!).
So, how do you record your AE music? What equipment and software do you use?
Are you recording just stereo or multitrack? Do you do anything fancy with it?
Where do you upload your tracks for people to hear?
And while I'm at it-- if you're NOT recording and would like to, how can we help you get your music recorded? You don't need fancy hardware-- you can record to your phone or laptop with pretty minimal stuff (you probably need an audio interface, but those are pretty inexpensive these days, and if you have a microphone input you may not even need that).
What I'd like is for people with AE rigs who haven't been recording but would like to to see that they can, and for people who might be having trouble or might not be happy with their current results to get ideas about techniques and so on to get better recordings. I'll put my own info in its own post so this doesn't turn into too much of a wall of text.
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Post by solipsistnation on Sept 24, 2022 22:08:28 GMT
I record more than just AE stuff, so I have a 4-bus mixer (a Korg MW-2408) going into the 8 inputs of an Arturio Audiofuse Studio. AE has its own stereo channel on the mixer, and I have spare inputs so I can patch in other stuff if I'd like. The Audiofuse is hooked up to an M1 Mac Mini running Logic, and I have a template set up with 4 stereo tracks so I can load that up and hit record without having to set it all up every time. Logic sends MIDI clock so the various AE sequencers stay synced. I tend to do all performance stuff on the modular itself, although I've done some multitracking. I sometimes use Logic's effects, but I try to keep all the AE stuff in AE-land. I've also used Audacity for simple audio recording when I don't care about clocks (or it's all clocked inside AE-land).
I then bounce the Logic audio to MP3 and upload it to soundcloud.
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Post by solipsistnation on Sept 24, 2022 22:10:38 GMT
Recording solutions from the meetup included little stereo Zoom digital recorders (which are quite popular!), recording through an audio cable into an iPhone, and just taking a stereo pair and dumping it to something like Audacity. Audacity is high-quality free software that runs on pretty much anything out there: www.audacityteam.org |
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Post by reductionist_earth_catalog on Sept 24, 2022 22:38:17 GMT
Thanks for starting the thread! I record everything using my iPhone through a Digitakt. I run the stereo out from my AE mix console to the Digitakt inputs. I set the Digitakt to be a USB audio device (settings->USB config->USB audio/MIDI), then I control the levels/panning of the two audio inputs in the Digitakt Master menu. I use a lightning-to-USB adapter (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK0W2AM/A/lightning-to-usb-3-camera-adapter) to connect my iPhone to my Digitakt. I can also use the master compressor on the Digitakt (still learning how to use compression though!). I use the Filmic pro app on my iPhone to record videos (it is also possible to use the native camera app on the iPhone, though I find the settings are easier to understand in Filmic pro).
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Post by maydonpoliris on Sept 24, 2022 23:30:19 GMT
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Post by MikMo on Sept 25, 2022 7:14:46 GMT
I'm one of those who never really got started recording my AE (or anything else).
After i saw Carstens Youtube video on recording i bought the cheap Behringer interface and a camera connection thingie for my Iphone just to et started, and knowing that i might want something else in the future.
But it's the software side of the equation that seems daunting to me. I have Audacity installed and i have managed to record some sound, but i don't think i got things set up correct, it doesent sound very good (could be shitty music .-) )
I find the full blown DAW's terrifyingly complex, and counter intuitive and counter productive.
So i often end of just noodeling around. I guess that is not uncommon :-)
Mikael / MikMo
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Post by pt3r on Sept 25, 2022 7:36:51 GMT
For recording I use an (overspec'd) ZOOM H6 recorder which can record standalone or be connected as a 6 track audio interface to a computer. It is a bit overkill for me since I record my AE modular system via a stereo output on the 4 I/O module. This keeps everything 'in the box' and captures the 'essence' of my patch in a more complete way, or I'm just too lazy to do muti-track recording 
As mentioned before and in other threads on the forum, (AE) modular can be noisy (same goes for eurorack IMHO). A work around that a lot of us use is to record dump the recording in Audacity where you can select a noisy part of your track and use that to identify the unwanted noise in your recording and filter it out.
I use a standalone recording solution that is more or less permanently connected to my modular system since I want to be able to capture any sound the moment that I hear it; this is modular what sounds cool now will more than likely have disappeared after turning your modular on/off, we don't have presets.
As said before please record yourself, and put out your creations on www.bandcamp.com or www.soundcloud.com they provide free solutions to host your music and we would love to hear what you're doing as much as we like to share what we are doing. We can all learn from each other.
Don't wait for that perfect patch, it will most likely never come and the waiting might stifle your creativity. Perfect is, in my opinion, the enemy of creativity.
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Post by maydonpoliris on Sept 25, 2022 8:05:39 GMT
I'm one of those who never really got started recording my AE (or anything else). After i saw Carstens Youtube video on recording i bought the cheap Behringer interface and a camera connection thingie for my Iphone just to et started, and knowing that i might want something else in the future. But it's the software side of the equation that seems daunting to me. I have Audacity installed and i have managed to record some sound, but i don't think i got things set up correct, it doesent sound very good (could be shitty music .-) ) I find the full blown DAW's terrifyingly complex, and counter intuitive and counter productive. So i often end of just noodeling around. I guess that is not uncommon :-) Mikael / MikMo It's that noodling we would love to hear. I also found that sharing helps to improve that noodling over time (at least in my head anyway  ) it's a great learning tool I believe. If that's what you'd like to do of course. daws are daunting to me too and never use them which is why I like jams as its just pretty much record and go! Is there anyone that records into an Iphone that can help/tips with this setup. unless it's the noise that you think is shitty and that has been covered |
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Post by admin on Sept 25, 2022 8:15:54 GMT
I often record directly into Audacity and to eliminate the noise I just start the recording and let it record just the line noise for one or two minute before I bring in the sound of the synth. That way you have a clear "noisy" patch for Audacity to analyse.
I also find that careful adjusting of all levels is key to keeping the noise down. And there are soooo many levels in the signal chain (at least in my setup):
- the individual channel level on the AE mixer
- the main out level on the AE mixer
- the channel level on the Behringer mixer which receives the AE signal
- the Behringer mixer out level
- the incoming level of my Audio interface which receives the Behringer signal
- the recording level of Audacity or other DAW
- the channel level of the track I'm recording into
These are A LOT of levels and I found that careful adjustment of each of these created a satisfactory low noise floor. Except that someone commented on my last video that there is a high pitched noise which I don't hear because of my Tinnitus (I have a strong high pitched whining noise in my ears ALL the time).
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Post by funbun on Sept 25, 2022 11:50:23 GMT
Currently, I record to a TASCAM DR-70D. It's the same recorder I use on my camera for my fishing videos. I record stereo, usually left and right channels out from the MULTIFX module to the 4 I/O.
However, if I rebuild my computer this autumn, I'll probably start recording directly to the computer.
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Post by duddex on Sept 25, 2022 12:58:12 GMT
I haven't really recorded much music yet. I recorded some short Youtube videos as example-videos when I did some tests with my GRAINS code. For these recordings I used the output of the MIXCONSOLE module and my Steinberg UR22mkII interface from where I recorded into Propellerhead Reason. I recently bought a Behringer UMC1820 interface. It has 8 inputs (6.3mm) and I use 6.3/3.5mm adapter cables which I can plug into the MIXCONSOLE or my 4I/O modules.  I plan to use a hybrid setup where I use my AEmodular System in VCV Rack.  The 8 inputs from the Behringer interface can be patched into a VCV Rack mixer or other VCV Rack modules. But this is still work in progress (or better: proof of concept). But I will make sure that from now on I record my noodeling |
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Post by duddex on Sept 25, 2022 13:01:17 GMT
I often record directly into Audacity and to eliminate the noise I just start the recording and let it record just the line noise for one or two minute before I bring in the sound of the synth. That way you have a clear "noisy" patch for Audacity to analyse. [...] That is a great tip for eliminating noise. I should use Audacity more often |
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Post by duddex on Sept 25, 2022 13:38:07 GMT
[...] Don't wait for that perfect patch, it will most likely never come and the waiting might stifle your creativity. Perfect is, in my opinion, the enemy of creativity.
OK. OK. OK. I just posted my first "song" in the AE Music & Performances sub-board. Thank you all for encouraging me to upload my music. This was more a sound-test than a real recording. But you are right: why wait? |
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Post by duddex on Sept 25, 2022 13:44:59 GMT
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Post by pt3r on Sept 25, 2022 15:30:22 GMT
[...] Don't wait for that perfect patch, it will most likely never come and the waiting might stifle your creativity. Perfect is, in my opinion, the enemy of creativity.
OK. OK. OK. I just posted my first "song" in the AE Music & Performances sub-board. Thank you all for encouraging me to upload my music. This was more a sound-test than a real recording. But you are right: why wait? Excellent. Will check out your track. |
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Post by solipsistnation on Sept 25, 2022 16:07:27 GMT
I often record directly into Audacity and to eliminate the noise I just start the recording and let it record just the line noise for one or two minute before I bring in the sound of the synth. That way you have a clear "noisy" patch for Audacity to analyse. I found that the 2 biggest sources of internal AE noise are the METER module (which you can hear if it's on the same bus as the performance mixer) and the performance mixer's JACKOUT module. I pulled that out of my rack and suddenly everything got MUCH quieter. |
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Post by solipsistnation on Sept 25, 2022 16:10:59 GMT
I used to get really intense about naming things, but I finally stopped and just name things whatever comes to mind. If I ever put together an album it will end up seeming very silly. "Here Are Some Things" followed by "Bell Mess" and so on. Sometimes I'll open a book at random and pick a good phrase from whatever page it's on. Sometimes it's just "Boopy Loopy," which is a fairly exact description. 8)
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Post by maydonpoliris on Sept 26, 2022 10:17:36 GMT
I used to get really intense about naming things, but I finally stopped and just name things whatever comes to mind. If I ever put together an album it will end up seeming very silly. "Here Are Some Things" followed by "Bell Mess" and so on. Sometimes I'll open a book at random and pick a good phrase from whatever page it's on. Sometimes it's just "Boopy Loopy," which is a fairly exact description. 8)
I think this is great advice, "whatever comes to mind". It's surprising how many times the first thing that pops into your head while listening to the track is right on the money and the more you listen to the track the more the name fits. The audience won't care either what the track is called as they will relate the name to the song straight away and will never question it. |
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pol
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Post by pol on Sept 27, 2022 20:21:55 GMT
I find the full blown DAW's terrifyingly complex, and counter intuitive and counter productive. So i often end of just noodeling around. I guess that is not uncommon :-) Mikael / MikMo You are a long way from the only one on this, 
I have an old (now) Yamaha digital multitrack (AW16G) which I bought many moons ago, and has been brill, very easy and the technical crap kept to a minimum - I've only ever used 2 DAWs and they both drove me nuts; that and the technicalities with lacency/interface/drivers etc. etc. is why there is no computer in my studio..... These days however, live to stereo into a Zoom recorder is a lot quicker and even less technical, as long as I haven't misplaced the cable adaptor....
One thing I've done with a couple of recent Youtube videos is I have just turned up the Monitors in the studio and recorded it via the microphone in my Phone which I use to do the video, means no syncing problems straight off the bat, and so quick and easy,  , even with voice over as you just record a short vid and check the sound before doing the whole thing!
I would suggest just trying a recording program in your phone as you have it connected up already, rather than any sort of DAW etc. and see how you go. There is probably one on your phone supplied with it. You'll soon learn what you want to do to improve your recordings. One of the earliest things I did when things all started going to mp3s, streaming etc. was buy a audio editing program - Wavepad in my case - as this makes things like triming off the quiet before and after the song easy, and you can "normalise" your recordings - i.e. adjust the levels to the best possible for that medium.
Hope you take the plunge and we get to hear the results! Pol.
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pol
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Post by pol on Sept 27, 2022 20:23:42 GMT
I'm one of those who never really got started recording my AE (or anything else). After i saw Carstens Youtube video on recording i bought the cheap Behringer interface and a camera connection thingie for my Iphone just to et started, and knowing that i might want something else in the future. But it's the software side of the equation that seems daunting to me. I have Audacity installed and i have managed to record some sound, but i don't think i got things set up correct, it doesent sound very good (could be shitty music .-) ) I find the full blown DAW's terrifyingly complex, and counter intuitive and counter productive. So i often end of just noodeling around. I guess that is not uncommon :-) Mikael / MikMo It's that noodling we would love to hear. I also found that sharing helps to improve that noodling over time (at least in my head anyway ) it's a great learning tool I believe. If that's what you'd like to do of course. Your noodling has become superb over the last couple years, |
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Post by sharps on Sept 28, 2022 11:28:37 GMT
I haven't posted them anywhere, but I often record my patches before I pull them apart and make new ones.
That means taking the AE over to my desk and plugging it into one channel on my audio interface (Behringer UMC404HD), then opening Reaper. Actually I think last time I didn't bother unplugging the digitone from the interface and just ran the AE through the digitone inputs. Probably not good for my signal chain but eh.
As someone who dropped out of audio engineering school, a full-on DAW is the only way to go for recording anything, even though it's only one track and only one (long) take. I just feel more comfortable with good control of monitoring, record arm, and gain staging -- and if I decide to actually polish any of these, having the tools right there to edit a take and master it is reassuring.
In Reaper, I start a new project, add a track, configure the track input, check my levels visually and adjust the input gain on the interface and in the DAW, record-arm and monitor the track, then bring up my monitor level slowly and listen to the patch. Then when I'm ready, hit rec and play to start recording a single long take, which I'll perform while it's recording. Hit stop when done, save the audio file, save the project.
I don't have the I/O, voices, or (internal) mixer in my extremely small modular system to produce stereo, or to multitrack record what the modular is doing, even though there's four ins on my interface.
I dunno. Sharing my music is hard. It's both easier and harder when it's modular jamming, on a limited system, and not actually good as music. I use the modular more for music-meditation and exploration than songwriting -- I'd need better sequencers for that and I haven't built them yet. But that means there's more noise than song in my recordings, and while I like the noises, it's hard to expect that other people would too when they weren't really made to be good noises at all. So it's difficult because the sounds are bad and I'm not confident, but it's easier because I'm less personally invested in what I've created.
Maybe when there's a few more tracks I'll select my favorites, edit them down, upload them to soundcloud or something, and post a short modular noise EP.
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pol
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Post by pol on Sept 28, 2022 11:44:26 GMT
I haven't posted them anywhere, but I often record my patches before I pull them apart and make new ones.
That means taking the AE over to my desk and plugging it into one channel on my audio interface (Behringer UMC404HD), then opening Reaper. Actually I think last time I didn't bother unplugging the digitone from the interface and just ran the AE through the digitone inputs. Probably not good for my signal chain but eh. Just as a thought, could you just buy a long cable to save moving the AE? - I started doing that for some of my recordings as it's just easier!
I don't have the I/O, voices, or (internal) mixer in my extremely small modular system to produce stereo, or to multitrack record what the modular is doing, even though there's four ins on my interface. I normally record my AE as mono, and just convert it to stereo in my PC via an audio editing program, my Aetherwaves contributions have all been done like this. Can you multitrack in Reaper? (i.e. play the AE along to something you've already recorded?) justa thought.
I dunno. Sharing my music is hard. It's both easier and harder when it's modular jamming, on a limited system, and not actually good as music. I use the modular more for music-meditation and exploration than songwriting -- I'd need better sequencers for that and I haven't built them yet. But that means there's more noise than song in my recordings, and while I like the noises, it's hard to expect that other people would too when they weren't really made to be good noises at all. So it's difficult because the sounds are bad and I'm not confident, but it's easier because I'm less personally invested in what I've created. You might have noticed people here like drones etc so your music-meditations (like that phrase, ) would probably go down well. Totally get doing stuff not necessarily for the end result but the process/feeling etc. and well done you for recognising that. I would actually be interested to see what can be done with a "limited" system. the only other thing I would say, (to encourage to post some of your music), is that some very big artists hate the fan favourite songs, so just because you don't think they are very good.....
Maybe when there's a few more tracks I'll select my favorites, edit them down, upload them to soundcloud or something, and post a short modular noise EP. Please do, we're nosey about what other people do!
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Post by admin on Sept 28, 2022 12:00:19 GMT
Hi sharps, how about a challenge? Just record ONE track or choose one track from your recordings which you like and submit it for AEtherwaves Vol. 4? There is such a diverse spread of musical tastes on these albums, your track will definitely become someone's favourite track! Here are the details for the submissions: forum.aemodular.com/thread/2254/aether-waves-vol-submissions-wanted It's only 3 weeks away! |
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Post by pt3r on Sept 28, 2022 12:03:15 GMT
...
I dunno. Sharing my music is hard. It's both easier and harder when it's modular jamming, on a limited system, and not actually good as music. I use the modular more for music-meditation and exploration than songwriting -- I'd need better sequencers for that and I haven't built them yet. But that means there's more noise than song in my recordings, and while I like the noises, it's hard to expect that other people would too when they weren't really made to be good noises at all. So it's difficult because the sounds are bad and I'm not confident, but it's easier because I'm less personally invested in what I've created. You might have noticed people here like drones etc so your music-meditations (like that phrase, ) would probably go down well. Totally get doing stuff not necessarily for the end result but the process/feeling etc. and well done you for recognising that. I would actually be interested to see what can be done with a "limited" system. the only other thing I would say, (to encourage to post some of your music), is that some very big artists hate the fan favourite songs, so just because you don't think they are very good.....
Maybe when there's a few more tracks I'll select my favorites, edit them down, upload them to soundcloud or something, and post a short modular noise EP. Please do, we're nosey about what other people do!
Words of pure, undiluted, wisdom. pol is on point. Please share your meditations, there is an audience here for those experiments. |
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pol
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Post by pol on Sept 28, 2022 12:09:06 GMT
As English is not your first language (I presume), why not call them something in German? Or translate the German into English via Google Translate or similar. It always intrigued me that Tangerine Dream did (almost) everything in English and not being native speakers is maybe why they came up with some interesting/evocative phrases. My music usually has some sort of working title while I am composing; it may even just be the name of the preset on the synth I'm using. This (usually) helps set the mood/idea for where the music is going to go and can help decide the finished item's name as well. Occansionally the working title has become the Song name, mostly because I can't think of anything better!
I echo other people's comments that the song title is the first impression people are going to get of your music, so is important that it reflects the mood/genre of the piece - unless you want to be contrary! Having said that I totally agree with maydonpoliris about the first idea/gut instianct around your composing is often the one to go with too, i.e. don't over think it!
I do save some interesting words/phrases on bits of paper as possible song titles, (and have even written a piece or 2 starting with the title), so if you read something interesting in a magazine article or book, steal it!
One of my all time favourites I heard at a talk I went to is "A Door is a Friend", but have never managed to use that one as a song title yet....
Must take this oppotunity to say I like your Doctor Who quote, almost Douglas Adams like in its accuracy of life, the universe and everything
Pol.
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) it's a great learning tool I believe. If that's what you'd like to do of course.
, even with voice over as you just record a short vid and check the sound before doing the whole thing!