Page 156Bouncing
If you start "bouncing" tracks, all kinds of amazing things become possible – as long as you get the sub-mixes nicely
balanced. Let's say you want to record a song with a three-part backing vocal but more instruments than in the
previous example. The recording process would go like this:
You now have a three-part harmony on track 5 and three empty tracks to add more guitars or keyboard-derived parts.
To take an extreme example, you could record another two backing vocal parts on tracks 2 and 3 and then bounce
them onto 4, adding as you do so a third backing vocal. This requires care in balancing the three parts – you must
sing the last part so it blends with the two that are being bounced. If this works, you will have (presumably different)
three-part harmonies on tracks 4 and 5, enabling you to place them left and right. That's a lot of vocal power.
Digital recording makes sub-mixing more effective because there isn't the same degradation of signal as with
analogue recording. The situation is also helped by the facility of so-called "virtual tracks".
A Cheap String Orchestra
Many keyboards have "string" settings that imitate an orchestra's violin section. If you know how to write four-part
harmony (and are patient), you can create your own string section. First, record single-line parts. Where there are
two of the same instrument, try varying the vibrato, sustain or other characteristics between tracks. If necessary, use
a click on track 8 to keep time. This can be erased later.