| INTRODUCTION
I often seen in this board and others
too, people not happy with their guitar or
bass sound.
They used synths (onboard or external)
and couldn't achieve the sound they expect.
so, maybe it s time to record a real guitar
or bass and bring some life to your songs.
In theses tips and technical advises we'll
see how to do it so you could achieve the
best recording takes in an HOMESTUDIO for
the low cost as possible.
CHAPTER 1
The choice of your guitar or bass: I will
presume in all the chapters that you have a
computer hard disk recorder setup, you are
not a professional musician and have not
(unfortunately) thousand and thousand Euros
to spend in your homestudio. But, hey guys!
you all need some. The most common mistake
we have all done is to buy cheapest gear
thinking we will have in spite of the price
THE SOUND. Don't be fool that's only a
DREAM. Great studio sound is very expensive
only good sound is quite accessible. See now
some of you who says: I don't play bass or
guitar! I will answer: learn! No need to be
a guitar hero to play reggae
"skank" rhythm guitar or double
your bassline. Only few months of practice
and you all can do it! Buy a cheap guitar
chords book. Only few chords will be needed.
It's a bit more complicated to play bass cos
the way of finger playing do the most of the
sound and the groove is more difficult to
achieve. I mean if you make a mistake with a
skank,as the chords are separated on the
track, you can cut or replace one note or
chord by another. But often, bass notes are
bonded so it will be more difficult to cut a
note and replace without audible
"pop" on the wavefile. Now let see
the gear: Never buy a cheapo guitar. Always
buy a well know trademark! Later you could
sell it without loose money!! Don't buy too
expensive guitar: no need for dub. I'll
recommend you to buy a second hand guitar.
If you don't know anything in guitars ask a
guitarist friend to help you. The most
important thing is a good neck. No curve.
And well fretted. My choice will be : 1) A
Fender stratocaster, Mexican issue or Japan.
I found a Mexican strat, mint condition with
bag, for 305 euros few months ago and
compare it, in studio, with a us strat: no
sound difference in the mix .and remember we
are talking skanks licks&riff no
virtuoso leads. At this price I can sell it
anytime
2) A Fender telecaster idem Mexican or
Japan issue. you could find a mint one for
approx 280 euros. a real good guitar for
what we have to do.
3) Bass choice: The one and only FENDER
JAZZBASS. No deception with it.
An Italian Rasta friend of mine who own a
semipro studio have steinberger guitar and
bass put my old 69 jazzbass in his desk...(I
bought my bass for 228 euro with its flight
case in 1978.second hand. At this time
nobody want jazzbass cos of his name
"jazz" and prefer the precision
bass. I have one too(1972),bought in 1982
for 182 euros (and at those times it was
cheap! So nowadays...) I was telling you my
friend plug the jazzbass direct in the
mixing desk and what happened? He re-records
all his basslines with it. This bass is THE
BASS. Warm low end, Moving just a little the
mics pots and you 'll have infinite tone
subtle variations so you can play any style
with it. Maybe it's because so much records
have been done with it. Ours ears recognize
his tone and love it. Well I guess you 'll
understand I am a bass player. Don't expect
find one cheap. But maybe a very old Squier
(the early ones) could do the job for cheap.
Or a Mexican JB one. early jazzbass neck are
thin (more than a guitar) so take care of
the curve!!! And never put heavy gauge
strings! Imho i find buying a guitar is
better first.Much easy to learn and play
with good results.It brings you new
composition ideas and it s quite easy to
record.You can have good synths subbass for
dub. Record a bass is more difficult
and,synth or real, well sit a bassline in a
mix is the most difficult thing to achieve.
Before chapter 2: the record session, i
will tell you about one effect you NEED to
make live your guitar: i mean a whawha
pedal. I tell you that now cos you 'll could
not do it after your recording take
(opposite to all others effect). My choice
will be again second hand one. no more 76
euros. you can buy a Dunlop crybaby gcb-95
or a vox. as they are analogue no ones
sounds real equal to another. Some are much
warm or seems to go higher in tone. That s a
funny thing. A whawha pedal is a must for
reggae guitar: never twice the same sound in
your rhythmic and no automatic wha or soft
can do it!!! You can use it with other
sounds too such Hammond vibes or hihats.
Always records your improvisations with it:
Maybe one or two samples sounds with it
could be great in your song or another one
heavily treated with delay. That's all for
today dubfolks, next time we 'll attack the
serious things.
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