Tips for tracking your Elektrons

Accent · 2014-04-11T01:47:01.000Z

I’m interested in how others record their mixes from their Elektrons. Do you just record the stereo out? Track all the elements individually? Buss the outputs? EQ and compress from the machines, or externally?

FreeFall · 2014-04-11T03:49:34.000Z

""Accent"":

I’m interested in how others record their mixes from their Elektrons. Do you just record the stereo out? Track all the elements individually? Buss the outputs? EQ and compress from the machines, or externally?

+1

tsv · 2014-04-11T04:11:07.000Z

I’ll usually work with the OT as master and create a pretty solid track with the AK, MNM and other Midi/CV gear. Once I have something I’m happy with I will lock the OT up to Pro Tools and transfer the individual elements one by one into PT. Usually through a tube compressor and eq. Everything comes up on the mixer so it’s easy to just use the stereo out and mute and solo as I go.

Most of my productions have other elements like vocals and guitars so from there I’m just tracking and mixing in the DAW.

elenacortes · 2014-04-11T04:31:26.000Z

I don’t record ofently my musical work, cause most of time i do R&D of just jam. But somtimes i have to produce tapes for pleasure or friends. So, since i don’t have DAW, i try to reach the best mix i can and i directly record in my MPC. When i need to record track by track, generaly for other musician who need separate instruments, i use an old yamaha aw 16… But it need to write a CD, i find it prehistoric, boring and chronophage.
But now, as i write this post, i realise i could always record in AG, in view to realise better mix and then record in MPC.

Thank to make my think about my procedure, it help me to find new solution

Accent · 2014-04-11T08:30:34.000Z

More thoughts about this: Elektron makes such uniquely performance-oriented equipment that it is likely impossible to recreate a performance completely, and even if you could…why would you want to? So recording from the stereo outs in a single take or two is often preferable. However, getting a mix right is something I find tricky using this method; probably a combination of my own weaknesses in mixing, and familiarity with DAW workflow in which you can tweak different things to oblivion.

I know Tarekith only used the stereo outs and was/is an accomplished mixer and mastering engineer, and others have produced full tracks/albums using their Elektrons, so I’m really interested in some of the best practices you use in order to create professional quality recordings.

bryantalbot · 2014-04-17T12:15:43.000Z

I have two primary methods. With both methods, probably 90% of the actual mixing happens inside the machines themselves, with only machine-relative mixing on the console faders.

One, I have a self-contained rig for live performance with all machines into a small mixer, and I’ll just record an entire track from that mixer’s L-R outs.

Two, I’ll connect machines and FX to DI+mic pre’s and into the studio console, and record the L+R outs.

On occasions when I’m adding a hardware synth track to a DAW work in progress, I track the machine only as much as necessary, just a few bars or parts that will be copy/pasted. For those scenarios, I’d really like to get an Innerclock rig…without that, it’s a PITA.

cosmosuave · 2014-04-17T13:23:12.000Z

Only having a MD I use the individual outs into a mixer… For the outs I use the kick on a channel, snare on a channel, and the rest of the voices on a channel… Then from the mixer I just record the stereo outs to a portable field recorder or sometimes to a cassette…

This method is my fav as i like to jam as I just can’t sit and do linear music making…