RECORDING II - IN THE STUDIO
By huskybones
Hey all! This is the second article about the recording process. This time, the discussion turns to actually being in the studio. For first timers, the experience can be very stressful, so my goal is to give you some insight into what it's really like when the red light goes on.
Now that you've read last month's piece on pre-production, you've got your material ready and your group rehearsed and tight right? The reason I mention it again is that the more preparation you do in pre-production, the less stress you're likely to experience while recording. The most important thing I can say about being in the studio is probably the hardest to actually do: TRY TO RELAX. If you've rehearsed your material so you're ready, found a studio and engineer/producer that you can trust, and shown up ready, then the only thing left to do is to let the magic happen. So on with the show...
In general
Go over your material with the engineer and producer, and talk about how you want the music to end up sounding. Talk about the overall sounds, the types of instruments that you want to use, and how the tracks will be used with regard to overdubs and doubling. A simple example would be that if you want your guitars recorded in stereo, you'll need two tracks for each part. Make sure that everybody is on the same page with the end goal in mind because it's easy to lose sight of that goal amidst the pressure to perform.
Speaking of pressure and performance, you might want to consider keeping your friends out of the studio. Unless you're very at ease under pressure, they may not help when your recording the 6th take of something that you thought would only take one or two. Musicians need to check their egos at the door when recording. All the members of the band will have opinions on what's good and what you should record again, so this is where the band leader comes in. The duly elected leader will take responsibility for the final decisions and break ties (or necks, whatever it takes) so the process can move along.
There are two other things worth mentioning about general studio stuff. One, always record more songs than you really want to end up with because things don't always turn out like you think they will. Sometimes they're better and sometimes worse, so play it safe. Two, nowhere is the phrase "time is money" more true than in the studio. Show up early and respect the schedule.
Before you go in
Try to get enough rest before you go into the studio. All of your rehearsing should be done already so that you don't have to stress about it. Make sure that the instruments that you want to use are in good shape. Put on new strings, set intonation, get new heads, tubes, whatever. A common phrase is that "A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link". In terms of sound quality, this means that if your sound goes from your instrument, through the microphone, cables, mixing console, processors and finally, to tape, then all those pieces need to be of good quality so that they don't take away from the sound. Also, check your tuning often in the studio because you don't want to have to redo a great performance because of tuning problems.
Another suggestion is that if you try to have all of the Circle K type stuff that you'll need while you're in session then you won't have to lose time and momentum by leaving to get something. I look like I'm with the damn Red Cross when I go in to do my own sessions. I've got drinks, snacks, coffee, gum and a bass.
The process
When you're in the studio, you'll most likely be playing in an isolated room while the engineer is in the control room. You'll be hearing yourself through headphones. The bad news is that this sound will probably suck, but the good news is that that's not what the recording really sounds like, so you'll just have to deal with it while you're being recorded. Go listen through the monitors for a reality check on the take. Also you may have to play the song without the vocal part, so you need to know it well enough to do that.
The question of which performance (or take) to keep is a highly subjective matter, but my advice is always go for attitude over technical perfection. Does the take really represent the song overall? Look at the big picture not just your own licks. Remember that a bad note or phrase can most likely be "punched-in". That's where a mistake is fixed by re-recording that one note or phrase.
Usually a band will record the bass and drum tracks first. These are sometimes called the "basic" or "bed" tracks. So remember that even though there might be 4 or 5 people playing during basic track recording, you're just looking for keepers from the drummer and bass player.
Another very important thing for the rhythm section to keep in mind is that you should play with a click track or metronome in the studio. We're only human and the click helps so much later as you try to line other things up with the drums. If you've never done this, don't worry, it can be learned. It takes practice though so don't wait until you're in the studio to try it out. One piece of advice, if you're timing gets off from the click don't panic, just relax, take a breath, and keep playing until it comes back around.
If you want to have some effect on a particular instrument, you will probably need to record it "dry" ( without effects) and add the processing in the mixing session. If you want to double your part to make it a little stronger, then you want to make sure that you can do the part the exact same way the second time. One last thing is to have your parts worked out for overdubbing, including harmonies and solos.
I picked up a few tips from a pamphlet called 37 Recording Tips from Disc Makers. I've included a few below. The publication is available free.
#13 Don't use new gear or different equipment that you haven't used before, even if it's "better than what you have." Surprises can cause problems.
#18 Get the sound you want while recording. (Never assume that you can fix it in the mix.)
#21 Know when to quit for the day. If you're tired it will show.
#26 Always get a track listing and accurate time log from the studio.
I need to thank, again, all my buddies at Third Eye Studio (623)878-9614, and Mark Kopenits at the Grey Room Recording Studio (602)931-8622 for all the help. Call 'em for rates and other info. I also want to thank Brian Crow at Disc Makers 1-800-731-8009. Happy recording!
-hb
By huskybones
Hey all! This is the second article about the recording process. This time, the discussion turns to actually being in the studio. For first timers, the experience can be very stressful, so my goal is to give you some insight into what it's really like when the red light goes on.
Now that you've read last month's piece on pre-production, you've got your material ready and your group rehearsed and tight right? The reason I mention it again is that the more preparation you do in pre-production, the less stress you're likely to experience while recording. The most important thing I can say about being in the studio is probably the hardest to actually do: TRY TO RELAX. If you've rehearsed your material so you're ready, found a studio and engineer/producer that you can trust, and shown up ready, then the only thing left to do is to let the magic happen. So on with the show...
In general
Go over your material with the engineer and producer, and talk about how you want the music to end up sounding. Talk about the overall sounds, the types of instruments that you want to use, and how the tracks will be used with regard to overdubs and doubling. A simple example would be that if you want your guitars recorded in stereo, you'll need two tracks for each part. Make sure that everybody is on the same page with the end goal in mind because it's easy to lose sight of that goal amidst the pressure to perform.
Speaking of pressure and performance, you might want to consider keeping your friends out of the studio. Unless you're very at ease under pressure, they may not help when your recording the 6th take of something that you thought would only take one or two. Musicians need to check their egos at the door when recording. All the members of the band will have opinions on what's good and what you should record again, so this is where the band leader comes in. The duly elected leader will take responsibility for the final decisions and break ties (or necks, whatever it takes) so the process can move along.
There are two other things worth mentioning about general studio stuff. One, always record more songs than you really want to end up with because things don't always turn out like you think they will. Sometimes they're better and sometimes worse, so play it safe. Two, nowhere is the phrase "time is money" more true than in the studio. Show up early and respect the schedule.
Before you go in
Try to get enough rest before you go into the studio. All of your rehearsing should be done already so that you don't have to stress about it. Make sure that the instruments that you want to use are in good shape. Put on new strings, set intonation, get new heads, tubes, whatever. A common phrase is that "A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link". In terms of sound quality, this means that if your sound goes from your instrument, through the microphone, cables, mixing console, processors and finally, to tape, then all those pieces need to be of good quality so that they don't take away from the sound. Also, check your tuning often in the studio because you don't want to have to redo a great performance because of tuning problems.
Another suggestion is that if you try to have all of the Circle K type stuff that you'll need while you're in session then you won't have to lose time and momentum by leaving to get something. I look like I'm with the damn Red Cross when I go in to do my own sessions. I've got drinks, snacks, coffee, gum and a bass.
The process
When you're in the studio, you'll most likely be playing in an isolated room while the engineer is in the control room. You'll be hearing yourself through headphones. The bad news is that this sound will probably suck, but the good news is that that's not what the recording really sounds like, so you'll just have to deal with it while you're being recorded. Go listen through the monitors for a reality check on the take. Also you may have to play the song without the vocal part, so you need to know it well enough to do that.
The question of which performance (or take) to keep is a highly subjective matter, but my advice is always go for attitude over technical perfection. Does the take really represent the song overall? Look at the big picture not just your own licks. Remember that a bad note or phrase can most likely be "punched-in". That's where a mistake is fixed by re-recording that one note or phrase.
Usually a band will record the bass and drum tracks first. These are sometimes called the "basic" or "bed" tracks. So remember that even though there might be 4 or 5 people playing during basic track recording, you're just looking for keepers from the drummer and bass player.
Another very important thing for the rhythm section to keep in mind is that you should play with a click track or metronome in the studio. We're only human and the click helps so much later as you try to line other things up with the drums. If you've never done this, don't worry, it can be learned. It takes practice though so don't wait until you're in the studio to try it out. One piece of advice, if you're timing gets off from the click don't panic, just relax, take a breath, and keep playing until it comes back around.
If you want to have some effect on a particular instrument, you will probably need to record it "dry" ( without effects) and add the processing in the mixing session. If you want to double your part to make it a little stronger, then you want to make sure that you can do the part the exact same way the second time. One last thing is to have your parts worked out for overdubbing, including harmonies and solos.
I picked up a few tips from a pamphlet called 37 Recording Tips from Disc Makers. I've included a few below. The publication is available free.
#13 Don't use new gear or different equipment that you haven't used before, even if it's "better than what you have." Surprises can cause problems.
#18 Get the sound you want while recording. (Never assume that you can fix it in the mix.)
#21 Know when to quit for the day. If you're tired it will show.
#26 Always get a track listing and accurate time log from the studio.
I need to thank, again, all my buddies at Third Eye Studio (623)878-9614, and Mark Kopenits at the Grey Room Recording Studio (602)931-8622 for all the help. Call 'em for rates and other info. I also want to thank Brian Crow at Disc Makers 1-800-731-8009. Happy recording!
-hb
