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This is a general recording question, not related directly to M3 recording, but the reason I ask it here is because M3 has so powerful effects.

Various sources recommend to record synth tracks dry, without any effects applied to them. The reasoning is well-known and understandable: when working with mixing and mastering you will have more chances to choose right FX to your sounds if you record them dry. And if you like any particular effect for a single track, you risk that it will not fit with the rest of sounds, but then it will be too late to fix it.

It's all clear in theory. But when I listen to M3 programs, I realize that many of them have well selected FX programs, I will hardly be able to find better ones myself. So it's tempting to record a track with those effects. But then I recall all these books on mixing that are against such practice...

So how do you prefer to record M3 sounds?

FX are integral to the sound of a program or combi. And when they are so well programmed like on the M3, they are essential. In fact, without the FX you would most likely not play the part in the same way and totally lose the feeling you are after. All that 'record dry' is old school. By all means dial down the wetness, but its there for a good reason.

Cheers,
B

To echo what the previous poster said, you'll find that most FX (except possibly reverb) are essential to the vibe of the sound you're playing. Reverbs and delays are the wild cards. So if you want to make sure you have all of your bases covered, print a track just as you hear it from the M3, and print another muting only the reverb and/or delay. If you find that it totally kills the vibe, don't mute them -- just lower them a judicious amount.

The advice to print dry has roots, in part, when keyboards/synths first started sporting reverbs and fx; their reverbs in particular were pretty crappy sounding; and most studios at the time had much better quality reverbs as standard equipment, so engineers would look to apply the better 'verbs to sounds. The quality of built-in reverbs have become better, so there's not as much need to replace the reverb from a keyboard-based sound.

But the biggest reason to print dry is that it gives you much more control in the final mix. Still, FX like chorusing, phasing, etc. (and very often, delays) generated from the keyboard have a vibe that just can't be re-created or bettered by outboard studio FX or plugs.

At the end of the day, the rule is: "if it sounds good, it is good". Just use your judgement, not the book's!

So, to answer your question....."YES!"

synthdogg wrote:So, to answer your question....."YES!"

But of course!

There's a famous keyboard manufacturer who continues to have a chorus, reverb and multi FX since the 80s. These effects are low quality so perhaps should be bypassed. But Korg effects are stellar and should be recorded!

Remember that years ago keyboard built-in effects were often used to disguise bad samples and filters. Good effects don't hide anything but add to the sound.

Cheers,
B

Thanks everyone for replies! I suspected that removing M3 effects does not really bring me to a better quality mix since I will simply not be able to program better effects than those already applied to M3 programs. And since you all confirmed this it just makes things simpler.

vagif wrote:Thanks everyone for replies! I suspected that removing M3 effects does not really bring me to a better quality mix since I will simply not be able to program better effects than those already applied to M3 programs. And since you all confirmed this it just makes things simpler.

I would agree with you on that point. However, over time and through guided (manuals/tutorials) experimentations, you will become more familiar with the various parameters of the M3, including adjusting/modifying the IFX, MFX, & TFX, so you'll be able to taylor sounds to fit your needs. Invest the time and effort in your explorations, be patient, and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
Cheers,
Eric

I think it all depends how you work. I use a DAW (D3200) and I rarely apply effects during recording. If the effect is an integral part of the sound, then yes, I might include it. But I have found that, while an effect sounds great for a track in isolation, that may not be true when you try and incorporate the track into your mix. Also, if you wind up hating the effect later, you will have to re-record the entire track. This seems to be especially true of reverbs and mastering effects. I apply most effects during mixdown and keep the original track dry. Same thing goes for EQ.

Of course, if you do everything in the M3 and then record the mixdown, you can change it as you like. I personally use the sequencer very little and prefer to record my tracks "live".

Again, its all in the way you work.

usually i always rec the sound with fx (and sometimes i add/create my own fx for that track directly on M3 rather in my daw after recording).

as said before, it could be common (and i join this) to leave chorus, flanger, reverb, pan fx to the late mix steps, but i think it's up to you and how you feel more confident.

the only complain is that often, to use internal sequencer there is not enough fx for all tracks... so sometimes i have to use internal sequencer with dry sound and then record it back on daw with the correct fx for each track.