Recording Tips - Part Uno
If you've never had the opportunity to record in an actual studio, then you are so due. Here are a few ideas to make that virgin trip go just that much better.
It is my intention to have other local studio submit articles in the future. If you would like send in your tips, horror stories or good experiences, please feel free to click the contribute link on the left side menu and I'll get them up post haste. Recording Pre Checklist
Drums:
• For the love of God, buy new heads and then tune the hell out of them.
o You can buy inexpensive drum head tuners at your local music store, we recommend you do so. A properly tuned drum set will make a crappy set sound infinitely better.
• Make certain that your drums do not ring. It doesn’t have to be totally silent but if you are hearing your drum ringing out after about a minute or so, that’s too much. Buy some dead ringers or duct tape it until it stops.
• Make sure you have the following:
o A drum key
o Plenty of drum sticks
o An extra snare drum head
o Anything to make you comfortable
Guitars and Bass:
• Practice. As sweet as you may think you are, it never hurts to polish up and have a decent idea of what you’re going to be recording. Trust me, it’s no fun writing your part in the middle of a recording session.
• If your guitar hasn’t had a tune up in a while take it in, you’ll be glad you did when you hear your guitar sound.
• Love thy tuner. Love thy neighbor’s tuner. Covet the tuner, damn it. I guarantee you will hear the phrase, “Tune your guitar!” more than anything else the day you record.
• Make sure you have the following:
o Extra strings… at least 3 packs
o Extra picks. These buggers will attempt and succeed to escape throughout the recording process.
o Anything to make you comfortable. A favorite lamp, hat, porn mag... whatever.
Vocals:
• Lyrics. Believe it or not, if you actually have lyrics written down and rehearsed it makes it easier for not only you but the engineer/producer. Having them enables the lot of you to pin point corrections, highlight phrases or in some cases, you find the hook record labels want by picking out overly clever sentences. Not having set lyrics also increases your chances of sounding like a rambling idiot (unless that is your thing. If so, disregard this).
• Water and rest. The day you record, it is pertinent that you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Keeping yourself hydrated and rested helps you to last through the long sessions that lay ahead of you.
• Rehearse how you intend on singing your tracks, including backups and harmonies prior to showing up. Recording time is expensive and once again, you do not want to be writing in the studio unless you have money falling out of all orifices.
Bottom line is create a plan and follow it through. It will save you time and a shit ton of cake.
It is my intention to have other local studio submit articles in the future. If you would like send in your tips, horror stories or good experiences, please feel free to click the contribute link on the left side menu and I'll get them up post haste. Recording Pre Checklist
Drums:
• For the love of God, buy new heads and then tune the hell out of them.
o You can buy inexpensive drum head tuners at your local music store, we recommend you do so. A properly tuned drum set will make a crappy set sound infinitely better.
• Make certain that your drums do not ring. It doesn’t have to be totally silent but if you are hearing your drum ringing out after about a minute or so, that’s too much. Buy some dead ringers or duct tape it until it stops.
• Make sure you have the following:
o A drum key
o Plenty of drum sticks
o An extra snare drum head
o Anything to make you comfortable
Guitars and Bass:
• Practice. As sweet as you may think you are, it never hurts to polish up and have a decent idea of what you’re going to be recording. Trust me, it’s no fun writing your part in the middle of a recording session.
• If your guitar hasn’t had a tune up in a while take it in, you’ll be glad you did when you hear your guitar sound.
• Love thy tuner. Love thy neighbor’s tuner. Covet the tuner, damn it. I guarantee you will hear the phrase, “Tune your guitar!” more than anything else the day you record.
• Make sure you have the following:
o Extra strings… at least 3 packs
o Extra picks. These buggers will attempt and succeed to escape throughout the recording process.
o Anything to make you comfortable. A favorite lamp, hat, porn mag... whatever.
Vocals:
• Lyrics. Believe it or not, if you actually have lyrics written down and rehearsed it makes it easier for not only you but the engineer/producer. Having them enables the lot of you to pin point corrections, highlight phrases or in some cases, you find the hook record labels want by picking out overly clever sentences. Not having set lyrics also increases your chances of sounding like a rambling idiot (unless that is your thing. If so, disregard this).
• Water and rest. The day you record, it is pertinent that you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Keeping yourself hydrated and rested helps you to last through the long sessions that lay ahead of you.
• Rehearse how you intend on singing your tracks, including backups and harmonies prior to showing up. Recording time is expensive and once again, you do not want to be writing in the studio unless you have money falling out of all orifices.
Bottom line is create a plan and follow it through. It will save you time and a shit ton of cake.
