My first recording in a full Linux environment ^^

[bulevardi]

Check out my first recording with ModDuo pedalboards in a full Linux environment.

Setup: Linux Mint, Reaper Daw, Mod Duo, Uhe Hive Synths

https://soundcloud.com/bulevardi/the-ro ... chronicity



I know it took a very long time before I posted new audio material online again, been having a busy year with too much other stuff …
The Road To Synchronicity is a just a pure and personal melody, I needed to record this as therapeutic process before being able to continue struggling through life's upcoming adventures.
Just wanted to share this. Maybe later more… but first summer!

Feedback is certainly welcome!
I know I didn't do a good mastering, I'm not good in producing, however, I did want to explore the Mod Duo and I was glad Reaper was working natively in a full Linux environment. It's just a first recording. I did the artwork myself too, as always.

My next goal is to work properly with the Hive Synths.
Enjoy!

[tavasti]

Really great stuff!

[bulevardi]

Really great stuff!

Kiitos Tavasti

Nice to read the first comment from a Finn I once went to the Tavastia Klubi, back in 2006, great memories!

[milo]

A solid job for your first all-Linux production! I rather like the atmospheres you are creating with the guitars. My favorite part is the guitar at the end. Is that a nylon string guitar?

I might suggest placing an EQ on the master bus and lowering the midrange just a bit. That might open up some sonic space. Also I notice that there is very little (if any?) stereo panning, and adding a bit of space there will help bring out the different parts.

[jonetsu]

It's quite good. The atmosphere is a nice one, mellow/pensive at first and later on outgoing with the fuzz guitar, to conclude on acoustic tones.

[bulevardi]

A solid job for your first all-Linux production! I rather like the atmospheres you are creating with the guitars. My favorite part is the guitar at the end. Is that a nylon string guitar?

I might suggest placing an EQ on the master bus and lowering the midrange just a bit. That might open up some sonic space. Also I notice that there is very little (if any?) stereo panning, and adding a bit of space there will help bring out the different parts.

The last part is indeed a nylon stringed guitar. (Lag Occitania series)
It's a semi acoustic one with a built in mic, but I couldn't record the tone as I hear it.
When I directly record through the interface (focusrite), there is a big hum/buzz I cannot filter out.
So I put the signal first through the ModDuo pedal where I added some noise reduction and compressor stuff, but it's not only filtering the noise but also filtering some good clear tones I wanted to record.
I think recording a nylon/acoustic guitar is maybe better with a condenser microphone in front?

I didn't use any EQ, not on the master bus, maybe I should experiment with that for later recordings. I didn't do stereo panning, maybe the output from my modduo effects were doing this. Will have to check that out.

[jonetsu]

When I directly record through the interface (focusrite), there is a big hum/buzz I cannot filter out.

Maybe unrelated, but I used to have hum noise with mics/transducers. After some time I decided to review the electrical connection of the computer, that I so far took for granted. The electrical ground connection was missing. No more noise after fixing it.

[tavasti]

When I directly record through the interface (focusrite), there is a big hum/buzz I cannot filter out.

Maybe unrelated, but I used to have hum noise with mics/transducers. After some time I decided to review the electrical connection of the computer, that I so far took for granted. The electrical ground connection was missing. No more noise after fixing it.

Indeed, and if you have some powered usb hub for your interface (or separate power for interface), there can be some problem.

[jonetsu]

Indeed, and if you have some powered usb hub for your interface (or separate power for interface), there can be some problem.

Absolutely. In this case the USB connections were limited to the ones supported directly by the computer. Adding a USB external hub made the underlying ground problem noticeable.

[bulevardi]

Would it help to use a device like AudioQuest Jitterbug or this one below to reduce this kind of noise:
https://www.amazon.com/iSilencer3-0-USB ... B01MXDZ0PO

[jonetsu]

Would it help to use a device like AudioQuest Jitterbug or this one below to reduce this kind of noise:
https://www.amazon.com/iSilencer3-0-USB ... B01MXDZ0PO

Not sure. I'm not familiar with these devices. OTOH, if it is a ground loop problem, filtering it by audio means also means filtering out other frequencies, in which case fixing the ground loop is the cleaner answer. Note that there's 14% of 1-star comments on this device, which is a high rate.

[bulevardi]

I borrowed this device from a friend to test it:
https://hifimediy.com/usb-isolator

But it did't work at all.
No sound coming in or out anymore.


Anyway, I found another positive fact: when I unplug the usb from my ModDuo device, I have less noise when recording.

[ufug]

This is a lovely soundscape. Congrats on finishing your first all-Linux project and hope there will be more!

I might suggest placing an EQ on the master bus and lowering the midrange just a bit. That might open up some sonic space. Also I notice that there is very little (if any?) stereo panning, and adding a bit of space there will help bring out the different parts.

Spot-on suggestion. A little more air in there would certainly bring this to life.

[bulevardi]

Thanks for all the feedback Appreciated and learned from it.

I now recorded another track you can find below:
https://soundcloud.com/bulevardi/a-feme ... asalamento

I gave a little more attention to the EQ'ing for mastering the track, but it's not my cup of tea.



Setup:
Linux Mint 19 xfce , Reaper Daw, Mod Duo, Uhe Hive Synths, Ibanez semi-hollow body guitar.
Just check it out

[milo]

I really like your style. Do I hear an influence from The Cure in your guitar phrasing and layering?

I have been thinking of buying an Ibanez hollowbody. You're getting some nice tones out of yours. Which one do you have? I have been looking at the AM53. Do you like it?