ed_shaw - Posted - 07/29/2010:  13:49:18

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Collaboration from a distance has always been huge in the recording field. In the past, obtaining the equipment was a major stumbling block for anyone wanting to get into it. Today, it is a brand new game.
Now, I know banjo and old-timey players much prefer the live session,
but my question is, "How would you approach distance collaboration ?"
To be clear, I mean adding tracks to a project from a distance.

As a start, my system is based on a Mac with Garage Band and
an Alesis Audio interface. I add a studio condensor mike. I am just
starting to get to building up a song, track by track.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this ?
Clearly, the great advantage is the ability to
combine talents across distances.

Any and all comments appreciated.

Turbo - Posted - 07/29/2010:  13:56:45

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In short you send WAV files to the other party and they send you their WAV file. I like using 'yousendit': yousendit.com/

You can send 100 MB per file using their free account.

Thor - Posted - 07/29/2010:  14:13:31

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Of course, if all the parties have Macs and Garage Band, just share the GB files.
(you can compress them and put them on your iDisk).

As you know, you can drop almost any kind of sound file onto Garage Band... so your collaborators can be using any software/recording setup, and send you the files.

If it were me, I'd try to keep all the tracks separate for as long as possible-- have your collaborators record their part(s) into their OWN track in Audacity, Garage Band etc. You can export combined mp3s from GB as working files as you go along, and add tracks into your project as you get them from your partners in crime.

It's just a matter of setting up a logical workflow.

For instance... if you sent me a guitar track, I'd dump it into GarageBand, and record my banjo track.

Then I could export the combined track as an mp3 and send it back to you (while keeping the track separate in my GB project)... or I could send you JUST the banjo track for you to dump into your project.

You could then record another guitar track using the mixed track as a guide.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Welcome to the Hangout and have fun with the collaborating.

Bongshang - Posted - 07/29/2010:  15:55:13

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Make sure your wav file starts at the very beginning of the recording, and on the tempo beat. Give your collaborator the tempo details, and get him/her to record right from the start of the track, even if it's just silence for the first minute. This makes it a lot easier to line up the two tracks once all recording is done

Bill Rogers - Posted - 07/29/2010:  17:09:14

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I would work out your stuff via iChat, and see if you can independently record while playing together in iChat--then simply mix the recordings. Don't know if that's technologically feasible though.

ed_shaw - Posted - 07/29/2010:  18:51:23

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Each comment is helpful. I should say I have been using computer generated
backing tracks made with Band in the Box. Each has a 4 count intro, so synching is
simple and the changes are (relatively) easy to follow along with. The downside
is that not everyone is going to like my preferences in backing tracks.
I had thought a Garage Band Project file might contain
all the necessary information for someone to load it,
open it up, but was not sure. That's not necessarily a given for
all audio-visual media project files. And, I agree that keeping
the tracks separate until the final mix-down would be a great
advantage, space permitting.
Not everyone is going to have GB, or even a Mac, but I should think most of the
software should turn out a file that could be used by each player no matter his
or her preferred brand.
I like .WAV quality and use it exclusively on field recording tasks.
Garage Band will export to AIFF, which sounds fine, and also
a couple of other formats I forget just now but that are flexible
in Quick Time and iTunes. Also, I have no problem with the quality
recording directly to the laptop through the necessary interface.

evanpanderson7 - Posted - 07/29/2010:  18:54:54

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archive this post, no? seems like a very legitimate topic.

Prof - Posted - 07/30/2010:  05:31:18

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I believe joemac and the KIDD have done several of these projects -- would like to hear how they go about it...

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Edited by - Prof on 07/30/2010 05:32:09

Thor - Posted - 07/30/2010:  06:44:42

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quote:

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Originally posted by ed_shaw

Each comment is helpful. I should say I have been using computer generated
backing tracks made with Band in the Box. Each has a 4 count intro, so synching is
simple and the changes are (relatively) easy to follow along with. The downside
is that not everyone is going to like my preferences in backing tracks.
I had thought a Garage Band Project file might contain
all the necessary information for someone to load it,
open it up, but was not sure. That's not necessarily a given for
all audio-visual media project files. And, I agree that keeping
the tracks separate until the final mix-down would be a great
advantage, space permitting.
Not everyone is going to have GB, or even a Mac, but I should think most of the
software should turn out a file that could be used by each player no matter his
or her preferred brand.
I like .WAV quality and use it exclusively on field recording tasks.
Garage Band will export to AIFF, which sounds fine, and also
a couple of other formats I forget just now but that are flexible
in Quick Time and iTunes. Also, I have no problem with the quality
recording directly to the laptop through the necessary interface.

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You don't mention what type of music you are into... but if you use Garage Band with BIAB acoustic music, you MUST get Jam Pack - Rhythm Section (and perhaps Jam Pack - World Music).
apple.com/ilife/garageband/jam-packs.html
These provide incredible software instruments for acoustic/bluegrass music.

For a BIAB backup, you can export each individual instrument track as an mp3 or aiff (mute the other tracks before exporting), and send them along to others. For someone using a PC and Audacity (for example), they can import each track into their software so that you're all "on the same page".

For PC users, I've heard good things about Mixcraft:
acoustica.com/mixcraft/
...it looks very "Garage Band-like".

The KIDD - Posted - 07/30/2010:  07:49:19

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Yeah Prof, Joe and I have done about 9-10 of these in different configs along with many other projects including Laurence Diehl, John Boulding,Jim Hyndman, Lee Chapman. We and have 2 going on currently we hope to be posting soon.A very rewarding exp!!!. You'll make lasting freindships and get to know others on so many different levels.
Sounds like your already up on formatts and REC gear. The process always differs between projects. We use "Dropbox.com". Its alittle quicker on the upload than "You send it"and ya get to all share a folder instead of using E mail.Only thing I might add is SAVE everybodys comp, eq, fx,amplitude,etc settings. Take the time to name them properly. DONT ....use MP3 's at all for any kind of session file. I use "Triangle"shape formatt for dithering from 32 to 16bit if ya wanna keep your file size down but definetly mix at 32 and make your MP3 's for posting at 32bit. Just a few details I thought Id pass along that made my AE exp. easier with better Audio quality.
KIDD

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Edited by - The KIDD on 07/30/2010 07:51:04

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 07/30/2010:  09:26:41

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True, the technical hurdles are not that great. If you are the one hosting the project, the other person just needs a backing track to play to, and some equipment. There are also some interpersonal considerations. You might find that there are hundreds of decisions to be made regarding arranging, mixing and general approach. You might hope that you can do this all by consensus but be prepared for it to take longer than you imagined! I highly recommend it though.
Laurence

kcjc69 - Posted - 07/31/2010:  15:19:05

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I was fortunate enough to meet with Ed in Msla last week, great guy! Hope someone here can help him out with a banjo track because we all know my playin ain't up to snuff yet.

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Edited by - kcjc69 on 07/31/2010 15:20:46