Help! Asked to record band, any input?
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Posted on May 28, 2008 05:47 pm
xlakejunkiex
Ryan
Member Since: Dec 28, 2007
Hey everyone,
not too long ago, i got a call from a local band that wanted to record a demo. My friend told them i have recording gear and that i could probably do it. They said they would pay me, but im nervous about even just recording them, period! I don't know if I have the skills yet, but don't want to say no, so I can't decide what to do. I don't want to give them a crappy demo, but at least they will have something if i DO record them. I don't know what to do, how to prepare for it if i DO say yes, and what could go wrong. Can you guys help me please!!!??
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May 28, 2008 05:51 pm first off...relax
i'd offer to record them for 'free' and explain to them your situation, if they like it, they can keep it, and if not, well nothing lost except time.
that will take the pressure off.
second, what kind of music are we taking? how many instruments?
welcome to HRC!
May 28, 2008 06:05 pm sorry about posting it twice, i went back to edit something and i guess it just posted twice.
they are like more af a hard rock band, drumset, lead, rhythm, two singers, and bass. thats about all i know about them. im just worried about if i dont have enough experience
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
May 28, 2008 09:18 pm I am recording a demo for a band right now, they offered to pay. I told them "I will do it for free but if it turns out really good and you feel it's worth it, you can compensate me."
If that happens I will ask for $50 per song which is more than fair imo.
Anyways, yeah it would be cool to know what kind of music you are talking about. Probably some good techniques\advice that could be thrown your way. Can never be too prepared :)
May 28, 2008 09:58 pm yeah i heard them play once and they're a harder rock almost like hardcore band. I was wondering if there are any techniques to recording distorted guitars, screaming vocals, and drums for this genre. should i record the guitar amp with a mic or record the guitar straight in, etc... Anything I should know about the actual recording process like starting from when they ring my doorbell until they are getting a demo put in their hands. haha any help would be appreciated.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
May 29, 2008 01:06 am There's so many variables, let's all just blurt some out .
-As WYD said, relax... this is saposed to be a fun, and interesting experience . No money... use it to learn .
-When they arive, be friendly and take their wants and needs seriously... unless they don't . Be sure to be on the same page with that one !
-Don't let the 'screaming vocals guy' hold the mic he's screaming into... give him a fake if he simply has to have a mic in his hand .
-Deffinately mic the amps, and have the guitarist back off on the gain of his hot channel 25%, or so .
-Record the bass mic'd, AND DI'd at the same time, for each bass track... gives you more choices for later .
-If they're good enough to play without a metronome, then they're good enough to play with one . Keep track of the time... make sure their idea of 'swing' is not a whole note 'or so' off, from one side of the song to the other... in either direction... at any given... time .
-Have somekind of food accessible... just something in case someones sugar goes plummeting . Musicians tend to forget to eat during long sessions... this can make for a bad time rather suddenly . Need not be fancy... a bag of microwave popcorn and some cheap-*** vodka will suffice for most... or access to a pizza joint .
-No possies, groupies, moms, kids, etc... around during the process . It just makes stupid things that have nothing to do with recording process possible . Hot sisters are ok .
-Make a check list for them, so they're prepared . Stuff like extra strings, sticks, whatever they'd forget and then have to leave and return with . A short list handed to them will state that you don't want to waste anyones time .
-Have a schedule, and stick to it .
-Take notes on what you did to make them sound "So ******* Metal" ! So you can do it again for them, and future clients .
Welcome to HRC . I'm sure there'll be others with helpfull points to lend... you've come to the right place .
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
May 29, 2008 07:54 am I recorded quite a few bands before charging for my services. Then I went back to recording for free. I enjoy it a lot more without money involved. But I am picky.
In the begining, I just squared up with the bands. I played them some of what I had recorded and told them streight up that I considered this ojt for me.
Made some lifelong friends, learned a lot, and had a great time.
May 29, 2008 05:08 pm one more question, thanks for all your help by the way, but what instruments do you guys use preamps on usually? i have a TUBEPre, probably a lame question, but I don't know what to use it on when recording.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
May 30, 2008 09:27 am You can use that to power your condenser mics, as well as a DI for guitars, and basses .
May 30, 2008 03:45 pm what's DI?
May 30, 2008 03:47 pm direct injection.
a method to run a totally clean electric instrument straight into the board/recording media.
it's often how bass is recorded, not typically guitar, but you can.
May 30, 2008 03:52 pm oh ok. thanks.
what kind of thinks should i
be looking for to avoid
when i record these guys?
especially in setting up my sequencer.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
May 30, 2008 04:25 pm Things to avoid :
-The top of your software meters that sticks to RED when you clip the track .
-Letting them hang out in your bathroom .
-Recording their practices... make sure they know where they're going with each session... before they leave from the previous session, if possible .
-Know your computers limitations .(Track count, plugin use, etc...)
May 31, 2008 03:02 pm how do iknow what my computer's limitations are?
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 01, 2008 12:27 pm Simply by using it enough times to know. Me, if I know I am going to hit 20+ tracks then I will use 48 but when recording less than 10 tracks (acoustic work) then I will go 96.
I know I can compress and eq loads of channels but start stacking some high quality reverbs and I have to crank up my buffers.
If you have dabbled in your software\hardware enough you probably have a good idea what the limitations are.
Jun 01, 2008 03:01 pm ok cool. how should i record them? like drums, bass, guitar, vox? should i do each on a separate day?
if i forget to do something stupid like turn on the record button or something like that what should i say, because i would look really dumb. ghaha
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 02, 2008 12:41 pm I can't listen at work but can give you a rundown on how I proceed with any band.
I start with drums and a scratch guitar.
I will have them record one song real quick like, ignoring mistakes if any so we can listen to the drum playback all by themselves. If happy with the mic placement on the drums and they sound like a good foundation tonewise then I move along but not until. Realising later on that the floor tom sounded like butt when you've tracked 4-5 songs is no fun.
After a happy tone is found, I record the drums and scratch guitar for every single song. This way, I know all my drum tones will sound the same. I don't like spacing the drums out as mics get bumped, settings get changed and then nothing sounds consistent. This can also lead to much more work mixing.
When all tracks are similar and have the same signal strength it is easy to process them to your liking, then save and apply the exact same process to other songs.
Next I would have the rythm guitarist lay down all his tracks for every song. Then, I would have him double them (I double everything except drums and bass, I may not use all of it, but it's nice to have the option).
I do not lay vocals until I have at least semi-processed every song, I save that for another day as I like the singer to have a good clean mix, seems to help with the performance.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jun 02, 2008 03:25 pm Ya, like Tripps says.... get the drums tracked first and foremost.... everything else can be overdubbed later.
