Multi-mic guitar tone, but only 32 tracks

[AfterimageMetal]

Hey guys!
I've heard all of these fantastic audio files of these multi-mic'ed guitars, and I'd love to experiment with that in my Pro Tools LE studio. Problem is, I'm limited to the 32 tracks that Pro tools allows me, and giving 2 or even 3 tracks to each guitar seems like a bit much. I'm a pretty big noob to this recording stuff, but I love doing it, and I want to get the best I can at it. Is there a solution to getting that multi-mic'ed guitar tone without chopping off 12 tracks for just 4 guitars?

 

[JeffTD]

Yup... Record them all, find the blend you like, print the mix to one track.

 

[greyskull]

YEPP
BOUNCE AND PRINT

 

[Mutant]

Out of curiosity how many more tracks do you need for guitars ?
And how many mics per guitar is "multi" ?

4 tracks for rhytm * 3 mics = 12
2 tracks for lead * 3 mics = 6
~10 tracks for drums
2 tracks for vocals
1 track for bass
1 track for synths / effects

=32 isn't that enough ?

 

[JeffTD]

Out of curiosity how many more tracks do you need for guitars ?
And how many mics per guitar is "multi" ?

4 tracks for rhytm * 3 mics = 12
2 tracks for lead * 3 mics = 6
~10 tracks for drums
2 tracks for vocals
1 track for bass
1 track for synths / effects

=32 isn't that enough ?

Not at all, IMO. I'd want more than 10 tracks for drums, at least 2 for bass, 3 or 4 for all the vocal layers, and DI's for the guitars.

 

[-Gavin-]

why not 4 tracks for rhythm, do each one with a different mic. Double tracking plus tonal variation.

thus


4 tracks for guitars.

 

[greyskull]

time to buy music production toolkit buddy,
cunning work round on that which can extend your track count.
when youve doubled and editied, reamp etc guitar tracks combine them into a stereo track, as with mptk that only uses one voice as opposed to two, do this with everything else that is stereo and being treated as such.
sadly doesnt work without it

 

[-Gavin-]

Or just buy sonar/cubase and stop all this shitty 32tracks limit crap!

 

[greyskull]

Or just buy sonar/cubase and stop all this shitty 32tracks limit crap!

now now jock!! i cant for the life of me use sonar, looking at it gives me a headache, vegas/soundforge/acid is the only other daw id use, its incredible
lol
LE... weeeeeeeeeeeeel. yeah, its a pain in the arse, but it forces you to streamline and get things sounding good without relying on an unlimited trackcount, which aint the worst idea, but its a pain mid session when someone in the band is like, 'oh yeah we need to do some MORE overdubs'
fuck it, commit to sounds and bounce stuff just like the olden days

 

[Jaymz]

How come you canny use Sonar?

 

[greyskull]

its orrible, besides i know my tools shortcuts far to well to be able to switch and still operate at the same level of efficeiancy

 

[Mutant]

Not at all, IMO. I'd want more than 10 tracks for drums, at least 2 for bass, 3 or 4 for all the vocal layers, and DI's for the guitars.

Right !
I forgot that what works for me and my favorite raw unpolished (intentionally ugly) garage style may not work for someone else if they want to have more "modern" high quality sound.

 

[Mutant]

re Get a different host:

Reaper gives you an unlimited number of tracks and (according to some people) its audio engine kicks protools ass.

 

[zmetallica]

hmm the only solution you have is to consolidate tracks. also reaper rules, i just checked it out the other day, very impressed, only a few more things they need tweaking (like more shown on the mix window) and it'll be a very powerful DAW.

 

[AfterimageMetal]

Thanks for all the tips guys!

See, the LE setup I have isn't mine. The other guitarist in my band has had it for a while, and when I joined, its what I had to work with. I'm real used to it, but from what I've read around here, it seems like Pro Tools isn't all it's hyped up to be.

But, I'll keep that bouncing to one track in mind. I also thought 32 tracks would be enough, but man...They run out real quick.

 

[Matt Crooks]

Out of curiosity how many more tracks do you need for guitars ?

=32 isn't that enough ?

I'm working with this:

12 Tracks for drums (2 OH, Ride, Hat, 4 Toms, 2 Kick, 2 Snare)
4 Tracks per guitar = 12 tracks (DI, 122, 57, 421)
3 Tracks for bass (DI, 2 mics)
10-12 Tracks for vocals (and there's probably more to be done)

So that's about 36 tracks so far. Then there are songs with acoustic guitars (@ 2 mics per track). All of the songs have stereo keys, and I haven't even started guitar leads and fills yet

With just my stractch leads and keys I'm over 48 on several tracks.

However, a year ago I was using a Mackie HDR, which limited me to 24 tracks. For multi-mic'd guitars I'd get the blend I wanted and bounce. I'd keep the orgiinal tracks backedup though, in case I needed to change the blend of mics. I'd also bounce the backing vocals to a stereo pair (I'f possible). In a few cases, I bounce the toms to a stereo pair too.

You should be fine with 32, as long as you plan out what you're going to be using all the tracks for, and bounce down only what is necessary.