ComputerHunter.org

 

Tips for a Great Recording Session


You know your songs are great (and so does your girl/boyfriend, family, pets etc), and you finally decided to record an album in a real studio. That's great! But what actually happens when you get there?

When you finally do pick the perfect studio, one that you feel comfortable at, there is a certain routine that must be followed in order to get the best performance and the best recording for your budget.

1. Tune Your Instruments. This also includes your drums and any tunable percussion instruments you may have. There is absolutely nothing worse in the world than to have a perfectly written song with a perfect performance be ruined because someone didn't take an extra 2 minutes to check their tuning. Tuning takes a few minutes; a recording lasts forever.

2. Be Well Rehearsed. You'll be surprised how many bands suffer shock when they get the final recording bill. The main reason for this is because they confuse rehearsal time with recording time. Rehearse at home, in the garage, at your uncle's house; anywhere but at the recording session. When you arrive at the studio, you should know your songs inside-out and be ready for the red light.

3. Practice with a Click Track. A lot of drummers aren't able to play with a click track. Make sure yours can. A click track is essential in getting a good basic rhythm track that the rest of the band can lock in to, and to sync-up loops and delay times.

4. Be Early. Many studios start charging their clients from the exact time agreed to in the contract. Just because you decide to show up late, doesn't mean that the studio should give up that time for free. Be early and be ready to go.

5. Get the Sound Right. Never, ever try to "fix it in the mix". It doesn't work like that. Take an extra few minutes to tweak the sound before recording it. Turn that knob, tighten that string, have another sip of water. Remember again, tweaking may take an extra minute, but the recording will last forever.

6. Know When To Quit. Recording often leads to diminishing returns. Spending 20 hours in a row at the recording session isn't going to make your song twice as good as spending 10 hours. This rule also applies to mixing. If you're tired, call the session and come back the next day fresh and ready.

7. Record Alone. Don't bring your friends, family, parents or anyone else into your sessions. As fun as it may be, you are there to do a job and record the best music possible. If you are a millionaire, then by all means, have a party at the studio, but don't count on getting anything done.

8. Mix and Match. After letting the engineer do the first rough mix alone (which he should) do an A/B comparison of your mix to some of your favorite CDs. Remember that the production CDs you are listening to have already been mastered. But it's a good way to compare levels and panning.

9. Bring Spares. Always bring spare strings, drum heads, bass strings, water bottles, throat lozenges, etc to a session. You'll always need the one thing you forgot to bring, so bring it all and leave them at the studio until your recordings are finished.

10. Have Fun! This is THE most important point of all. Creating and recording music isn't rocket science. Although there is a science involved, you should let the engineer worry about that. If you're not having fun, then you're in the wrong business!

© 2004 Richard Dolmat (Digital Sound Magic)

Richard Dolmat is owner and engineer for the Vancouver based recording studio Digital Sound Magic. Visit his site at: http://www.digitalsoundmagic.com







Google News - Top Stories

New York Daily News

Hurricane, at Category 4, Heads Toward Cuba
New York Times - 1 hour ago
By MARIA NEWMAN Hurricane Ike grew into a bigger threat to Florida and the Gulf Coast Sunday as it roared through the Bahamas mid-morning, with forecasters expecting it to gain in strength as it approaches Cuba.
Video: Raw Video: Hurricane Ike Slams Into Caribbean AssociatedPress
Hanna in Canada, Ike Rakes Turks, Next Stop NOLA? AccuWeather.com
Cruise Critic - KGAN - Disaster News Network - Palm Beach Post
all 3,120 news articles


Wall Street Journal

US seizes Fannie and Freddie
CNNMoney.com - 2 hours ago
Historic move would place twin mortgage buyers into the hands of new regulator. Top executives are out. By David Ellis, CNNMoney.com staff writer NEW YORK (CNNMoney.
Video: Feds Assume Control of Mortgage Giants AssociatedPress
FDIC to help small banks with Fannie, Freddie exposure MarketWatch
Forbes - Christian Science Monitor - guardian.co.uk - Los Angeles Times
all 3,410 news articles


Times Online

McCain and Obama Vie Over Whether Palin Pick Represents Change
Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
By James Rowley Sept. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his Democratic rival Barack Obama differed today over whether Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, McCain's running mate, would be a force for implementing political ...
Potential US first ladies draw fashion buzz Reuters
Same destination, but different routes for candidates Houston Chronicle
AFP - Philadelphia Inquirer - International Herald Tribune - Dallas Morning News
all 1,733 news articles


GulfNews

India a step closer to nuclear trade
Christian Science Monitor - 1 hour ago
The Nuclear Suppliers Group agreed Saturday to lift a 34-year ban on selling nuclear technology to India, even though it hasn't signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
In Secret Letter, Tough US Line on India Nuclear Deal Washington Post
N-deal: The road ahead in US NDTV.com
BBC News - Wall Street Journal - Reuters - Voice of America
all 2,285 news articles


BBC News

Pakistan's Zardari prepares for presidency
AFP - 2 hours ago
ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistan president-elect Asif Ali Zardari faced immediate pressure Sunday to tackle an upsurge in militant violence, as the toll from a suicide blast in the country's troubled northwest reached 33.
Suicide blast kills 35 in Pakistan; Zardari set to take power International Herald Tribune
Pakistan's Zardari urged to change image and focus Reuters
Los Angeles Times - Reuters India - PRESS TV - Washington Times
all 3,852 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base