Kelly Kintner - Blog

Since using a friend’s analog gear..

I have been slowly falling in love with the idea of recording the sound I want to make, then not mixing it to death. I may have altruistic reasons, but the main reason is that it requires less mixing. Mixing isn’t my favorite, nor am I terrific at it. It makes sense for me to minimize it since I have to do it. 

Start with a board, maybe? (I really don’t know. Just what I did.)

This first involved me getting an analog board with preamps. The preamps on every channel of the Model 24 from Tascam give me a lot right out of the gate towards sounds that require less mixing. Overall, every track is less “plinky” than I got from straight into the Scarlet from Focusrite. You can adjust gain and incoming compression. The raw track before mixing sounds better than its counterpart in a typical interface set up. That is what I am wanting. The better the raw tracks, the less mixing, I hope. Lol. 

Use all the damn rooms.

I have been learning how to use all different rooms in the house for tracking and different mics. I have a tiny insulated room for mixing music, but I am discovering it sounds better to track other places. I have a big Chameleon Labs TS-2 Tube Microphone; it likes space. As does The Myrtle from Ear Trumpet Labs. I have learned that my Shinybox 46 MXL ribbon mic often sounds good pointed at an open door. I have learned that my SM57 clones, the GLS ES57’s, have different characteristics in different rooms and all of them usable. I have found the garage to be indispensable for certain amps, vocals, and mics. Instead of, “what mic am I going to use?” I think more about the room. This is new. This is only since I have been concerned with mixing less. I guess the main tip so far is, “Engineer more to mix less.”

How’s your EQ? Can you make that easier?

One of the things I love about the Model 24 is the EQ. I know what knob to instinctively turn if I hear a boxy sound. I never got there with computer EQ. These are simple on the board: 4 knobs per track. It is very easy to hear the effect of each knob. That’s the EQ. Less mixing.

Good gain is also less mixing.

Gain is a fickle friend. I have additional control there with the board. I think that on top of the preamps really helps to lay down a strong signal. I have something else:

Not long ago, I found a new DBX rack mount 266XS gate and compressor. I discovered I can record with this on an insert with funny cables, and it helps immensely. If I take time to set the gate just right, it saves a ton of mixing out noise. This is also in the chain after the preamps but before the disc. I think this device helps everything sound better. In football jargon, this device is loaded with “intangibles.” Less mixing.  

Learn mics. Many don’t require a lot with proper room and good signal.

I got a ribbon mic not long ago, (the Shinybox 46MXL I mentioned earlier). Many times, recording guitar especially, it is good to go after it is tracked. I might have to edit it, turn it up or down, but that ribbon saves me a ton of mixing.

A cheap easy mastering solution that really is fun. (verified)

One thing I REALLY hate about mixing is mastering. Mastering is the bane of my existence. What I have discovered here is called TAPE 16 DAW. It is a virtual tape machine. It has 16 tracks. I only ever use two. Right and Left. I find this thing super forgiving as well as very rigid. The thing is, I like where it is both. The rigidity keeps me on track, and the forgiving shoots out nice surprises. If you want a mastering solution, or a 16 track “doing it old school” DAW, I can’t recommend this enough. I could see this being handy in a host of different processes. It is on sale at the moment, 30 dollars!

Free Palestine by Djembe Funk

I did all this stuff mentioned on this tune. I am proud of how it came out. I played all the parts. I mastered on the virtual tape machine. I mixed, but I didn’t mix a lot. So here, you are for real listening to me have fun. I am putting effort into the making of music. I don’t care about what comes after. I am focusing on the creating part. Nothing kills my vibe for music more than computer DAWs. I can only do an hour or so at a time before I get too frustrated to make good decisions. But this method here, I did this whole song from start to finish in a day. Slept on it. Released after mastering on tape the next morning. And, I feel good. See, I don’t like AI or social media. So I try to work around that so I can feel good instead of making compromises and choices that make me feel bad. 

Free download code from Bandcamp!

About the topic

I don’t know that I know anyone who would be offended by “Free Palestine” except a few concert promoters. Haha. A couple of friends have given me the tough topic talk. But I don’t think it’s tough. Most folks are just wrong, and that’s what is tough for them. Coming out against bombing schools isn’t tough. But coming out against your friends might be. I don’t have that issue. lol.

I hope you find a more fun way.

I know folks out there who want to do creative things without AI or skeezy operatives can do this. It is hard, at first. But you never know, you may wind up saving a ton in time and frustration. Good Luck, Kelly.