Big Project (At Least for me..)

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Member Since: Apr 26, 2008

Hi im still quite inexperienced when it comes to sound engineering so i thought i would ask a few question about preparing for a big recording project (entire album - 10 songs). Im in a band and we are aiming to have a great sounding album however the is a slight problem in that we only have four weeks to record the whole album! maybe thats a long time but it doesnt seem like it when your the one thats gonna be engineering for a bunch of guys that barely no whats involved in recording. Does anyone have any advice on preparing for the tracking stage of the album and preparing the band members themselves (myself included - vocals)

Cheers

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Nov 16, 2008 08:43 am

How many people are in your band? What is the process you plan to record with? As in what instrument(s) in what order and so on?

MASSIVE Mastering, LLC
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2008


Nov 16, 2008 09:26 am

Make sure either (A) your drummer actually knows how to tune drums (I know so many who think they do...) and/or (B) make sure someone is available at the drop of a hat that does.

A great sounding kit takes about 10 minutes to dial in. A bad sounding kit... Well, I've spent 20 hours more than once on drummers who suddenly found out what their kit actually sounded like.

Intonate guitars & basses, fresh strings & lots of 'em (strings are much cheaper and it takes much less time than trying to get decaying strings to sound consistent from song to song). When I did session bass, I'd change the E and A strings every hour or so (bass strings are rather expensive and most of the wear is on the two low strings).

Rehearse all your tunes at half speed a few times. Reveals faults better than almost anything I know (short of spending hours and hours in the studio while no one knew that the guitarist was playing a 7th the whole time while he should have been playing a 9th, or the kick/bass has been off the whole time, etc.).

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2008


Nov 16, 2008 12:31 pm

Hey thanks heaps MassiveMaster i really liked your idea of rehearsing in half speed. Im a drummer myself and i do know how to tune drums (unlike those that think they do) so that should help. Do strings have to be changed that often?

As for DbMasters our band consists of 5 members. We play mainly Pop/Rock. Drummer, Bassist, Lead Guitar, Rythm Guitar and vocals.
Previously when i used to record our songs i would record all the stringed instruments first and the drums last but for this project im going to do it the proper way and track the drums first along with the bass, the guitars next (leaving lead parts to last) and then vocals.

Thanks

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Nov 16, 2008 01:44 pm

I'll second the part about rehearing and making certain everyone knows their part well. That can be the biggest problem is having to deal with the frustration of doing a part over and over because there was not enough rehearsing before going into the studio.

My best piece of advice. Stay relaxed and keep a good mood. Nothing can twist a session out of shape like someone who tosses a fit in the middle of tracking.

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2008


Nov 16, 2008 05:45 pm

Haha cheers Noize il try keep calm

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Nov 16, 2008 05:51 pm

Oh, so your the one they need to worry about aye?

Just kidding.

But ya, I can attest from experience that is the biggest downfall in a session.

The next would be when recording gear fails, or any gear for that matter.

But indeed the direction you are heading works very well.

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