DBW Productions features computer hard disk recording, using a program called Digital Performer and a1.2 ghz Macintosh G4 dual processor computer. You'll be able to record 60 tracks of audio, along with unlimited MIDI tracks all in one place. Most of you are probably familiar with basic ways of recording and have probably used ADATs or standard tape formats before. This page will help educate you in the major differences between hard disk recording vs. tape. For even more detailed info on Digital Performer check out Mark Of The Unicorn's site. Once you experience this way of recording you'll find it very hard to record any other way!
The following picture is from Digital Performer and shows you a standard audio file (also known as a sound bite). The audio can be manipulated in many ways, all of which are "nondestructive". You can't screw anything up! How many times have you punched in only to have accidentally erased the end of a perfect take? Those days are gone. In DP the original audio is still there and is easily retrieved. Punch in 4 beats early and you can still correct the mistake. Recording bass and drums in the computer can turn out to save many a loose rhythm section. I can line up the kick drum and the bass guitar very easily and clean up tom tracks, erasing places where the toms aren't being played. I used to use noise gates which gave the toms a very unnatural sound. Now the drums sound amazing.
The amount of tracks that you can record is actually well over 60. With each track you can have an unlimited number of takes. Go and play 10 different guitar solos and pick the best one, or make a compilation take out of all of them. Anything you can imagine is now possible using this medium. Sing 10 tracks of backing vocals on the 1rst chorus and then copy that to all the chorus'. Speaking of vocals, how about being able to fine tune your performance. Pitch correction is a breeze but that's just the beginning. Maybe you wish you would have held out a note a little longer. I can "stretch or shrink" the audio changing the duration.
Do you want to do a voice-over demo? Dialogue and be placed precisely along with music and sound effects. This means fast and efficient editing along with the ability to make a CD mix without ever leaving the digital domain.
It's time to mix and you dread trying to remember all those killer fader moves you have envisioned. In DP, all volume and panning moves are automated. After you record all your moves, just hit play and the song mixes itself. Effects galore are at your disposal. I have state of the art equalizers, compressors, delays, ect. all inside the computer. When it comes to mixing, all settings can be stored and recalled at a later date.
No more tape but how do I backup? I use standard CD's and a very good backup program called Retrospect. All clients have their own backup CD's but to ensure total confidence I also backup everything myself so that the project is saved in 2 places!