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I start
by performing numerous parts on a MIDI keyboard
onto separate tracks into my sequencing program.
I can then edit the performance in every way.
I personally sequence all of the keyboard parts
(obviously) and usually the bass line and the
drums (although I am a drummer, my neighbors do
not appreciate me recording drum parts at 2a.m.
- go figure).
Once I get the MIDI parts playing
back the way I want to (or at least close, I can
always edit later), then I will record audio tracks
into the computer. Now the audio parts I will record
will not be keyboard parts (like the MIDI keyboards)
since the keyboards will still be performed by the
computer. The audio parts I will record will be
things such as vocals, acoustic or electric guitars,
flute, percussion, or whatever acoustic instruments
I want to record.
Now when playing back, the computer
will play back these audio tracks and at the same
time continue to perform the keyboard parts by sending
the correct MIDI notes. I can continue to edit all
of the MIDI notes, cut and paste and manipulate
the acoustic tracks that I recorded in, and generally
mess with the song until it sounds exactly the way
it supposed to.
Once it is all done, then it
is time to record everything to tape. I hook up
the audio outs of the computer to the mixer (the
acoustic tracks) and also the audio outputs of the
MIDI instruments to the Mixer. The outputs of the
Mixer then get hooked up to a mastering tape deck
(in my case a DAT recorder). I hit record on the
tape deck, play on the computer sequencer, and the
whole thing is sent to tape.
The other way to master is to
record the MIDI tracks to the computer as well.
From there, depending on your software, then you
can mix everything down to a single stereo file
and burn it dirrectly to CD.
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