| TIP 1 |
Decide ahead of time which songs (and which versions!) you're going to record. Prioritize your songs before a recording.
List them in order of importance, therefore at least the most significant and best songs will be on the way first.
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| TIP 2 |
Spend time listening to recordings of bands that you particularly like and want to sound similar to.
Select two songs that you think are close to your bands own sound and feel. Play these songs to the engineer before the session has started.
This helps everyone to work towards the same sonic goal. This process is not an exact science.
If you want to sound like for example Eric Clapton and your guitarist plays like Les Paul there are some differences. Eric Clapton mostly played a Fender Stratocaster a guitar that sounds quite different than a Les Paul, oh and your guitarist isn't Eric Clapton: a big difference.
So don't expect a recording to be exactly the same as your reference songs.
However this process helps Incubator to push a sound in your reference songs direction.
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| TIP 3 |
Communicate with the engineer about what your expectations are for the recording, is it possible to do "this and that" in a ten hour recording session.
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| TIP 4 |
Think about your overall sound for a song. Is it a live sound or more of a "produced" sounding session? Ask questions.
Is the track to be layered with reverb or not, do you want a kick drum to sound like a 'woof' or a "thud"? It can go on and on if you want it to…
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| TIP 5 |
Don't assume we can fix mistakes in the mix. Fixing mistakes in the "mix down stage" is not really the best approach to capturing the great take of a song.
Generally the time taken to remedy the "fix" could have been spent on re-recording the original "duffed" version.
It is quite possible to spend hours messing and processing a mistake to then only bury it in the final mix anyway.
A classic saying in the computer-programming world: "crap in crap out".
A mistake is a mistake, performing live at a gig no one probably heard it, but the CD will reveal all after you have listened to it a hundred times.
It's possible, and Pro Tools can perform some amazing tasks but the best sound is going to come from the original source, you!
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| TIP 6 |
When budgeting, allow enough time for the mixing process. Preferably mix down should happen on a separate day.
After a day of recording to then start mixing with tired ears is asking for trouble.
The next day is always going to be better; being rested and having fresh ears allows Incubator and you to make critical decisions that will be sound.
If recording takes about 10 hours, the mix takes a similar amount of time plus a few hours extra.
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| TIP 7 |
Lyrics and melody parts should be finalized before you commence recording. Before the recording date, write out all of the lyrics, along with notes for any special arrangements.
Writing lyrics, harmonies and back up vocal parts on the day of the session or the night before is not always a good idea.
Other band members might not be comfortable with a new arrangement on the day of the recording and may need time to let the new arrangement or part settle.
Some artists can re-write and arrange on the day of a recording however it is strictly up to their ability and bands needs.
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| TIP 8 |
Vocals in most recordings are usually recorded last, don't underestimate the time they can take.
A common mistake that is made is to use up all your studio budget time recording the perfect rhythm section and then rush through the vocals putting up with second-best because of time constraints.
The vocals are usually the first sound a listener will listen for and relate to. The vocal part is very important! |
| TIP 9 |
Record your vocals/back up into a tape deck or any basic recording devices at home to determine what is sounding best, (or book a pre-production recording).
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| TIP 10 |
The Click track (or metronome) is a valuable asset to record with.
Not only can click tracks help the artist record steadier tempos, but these days, with the advent of computer based recording solutions using a click track/metronome can greatly assist the artist in using techniques such as "cut and paste" editing.
Therefore to take advantage of this powerful tool the music needs to be in time.
The click track/metronome also helps to avoid tricky over dubs at later times when perhaps a session player or friend might add another part.
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| TIP 11 |
One point of serious mention is the ability to play with a click track.
If you have not rehearsed with a click track it is advisable to practice with one before you commence recording.
The click track can be tricky to perform with if you are not familiar with them. Some people love clicks and some don't. It is the artists decision.
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| TIP 12 |
Check equipment for rattles and noises before recording. Drums are notorious for time involved in quieting noises.
Amplifier hum and or loose connections will be heard on the day of the recording ten fold. Leave faulty or suspect leads at home or fix them.
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| TIP 13 |
New strings achieve a bright cleaner sound for bass and guitar.
Change strings a day or two before you record, this allows the strings time to stretch. (If you like the string to sound "flat" and this suits your sound don't change them).
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| TIP 14 |
Check your guitar output jack for solid connection.
If you have had trouble with a "crackle", on the day of the recording you can guarantee that it will be ten times the problem.
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| TIP 15 |
Scratchy pots (the knob of your guitar is connected to a "pot") needs to be looked at. A de-ox-it spray from an electronics store will most likely fix this. DO NOT USE WD-40! Wd-40 is a solvent and will damage your "pot".
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| TIP 16 |
When plugged into your amp if you tap the guitar body or around pickups and if you hear a loud tapping sound there is a chance your pick-ups are in need of some attention…
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| TIP 17 |
Are your amps sounding like they should? How many years since you last changed those tubes/valves, maybe this recording will need it.
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| TIP 18 |
Buzzes and amp hum (single coil pick-ups are notorious for being hummed out) get it looked at before you record if you can. Quiet moments of light playing can be drowned out by a loud amp hum…mixing trouble
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| TIP 19 |
Get you guitar/bass set up! That is the action and intonation…if I am speaking another language you will be amazed at how good your favorite guitar can sound with new strings and a set up. Ask your guitar shop guru for a set-up…(average set up price $40-$70)
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| TIP 20 |
Replacing drum heads like strings need prior stretching. New heads can be amazing. Again this is a cost not many would undertake however it is an option to achieve amore "expensive sound" i.e. brighter, cleaner... This of course is subjective to the overall recording the performing artist wants (i.e. demo or CD release).
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| TIP 21 |
Make sure your drums are tuned for the session regardless of new heads. If replacing all heads is too costly opt for just the snare head.
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| TIP 22 |
Tune, tune, tune it is important you tune your drums to the style of music being recorded. Do you want boom or thud? Tune before you record and re-tune in the studio .If you are new to tuning ask an experienced friend to help out or visit a drum shop for assistance.
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| TIP 23 |
Listen for rattles and squeaks (kick pedal, and drum stool…) and over resonance, that is some toms can be too boomy its up to you but be aware when microphones are in place, it puts a drum kit under the microscope and everything can be heard.
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| TIP 24 |
I prefer a front kick head to have a hole for easy microphone placement and flexibility with the sound. It also helps to achieve the "click" sound of the kick. A kick drum with some "click sound" will cut through a mix better.
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| TIP 25 |
Fresh batteries are always a good idea. Making sure that you have remembered to pack amp leads/cords, power transformers for effects pedals, patch leads, drum sticks, FX settings... If it happens to be a Sunday session such little details can be devastating and time consuming to remedy. Some guitar and drums shops are closed on Sundays.
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| TIP 26 |
If any musicians are relying on charts, make the charts neat and easy to read and rehearse beforehand and know what it is that you want to put down.
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| TIP 27 |
Recording and mix-down are time consuming tasks, for best results when recording a demo work on fewer songs instead of seven or eight, pick two or three.
The one or two songs recorded well are going to impress your audience more than eight or nine roughly recorded and mixed songs.
When you think about it quality over quantity is better for most recording situations.
Too many times artists will want to record their set and pick the best version, fine for pre-production.
However when time is crucial and more times than not the set turns into one take of this song three of that one and two of this one and so on.
What the artist is left with is the potential of twenty to thirty songs to sift through at the end of a day.
I feel this is a nightmare and a drain on the vibe of a session and your budget. Pick your best songs! If you are not sure which songs are shining at the moment, Think to the last gig you played, what songs did the punters comment on? The punters will be the ones who will be buying the CD. Fewer songs equate to a better sounding CD. This will be for your first impression and you want it to be a lasting one!
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| TIP 28 |
Don't forget to eat something and take coffee breaks to rest your ears and brain every now and again while you record. Bringing your own food can be advantageous.
It saves time and at the Incubator we can heat it up for you.
So it makes sense to make up a couple of sandwiches or even cook up pasta to feed the whole band (including the engineer!)
There is usually enough time for at least one member of the band to keep everyone fed while they are not recording a take.
That being said however Incubator is close to the Croxton Hotel, Fish n Chips, Chicken and chips, Thai, Subway, KFC and pizza (pizza is open after 6PM).
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| TIP 29 |
With some basic ideas of the sound you desire before you start to record you have a better chance at walking away with a good sounding recording instead of an average recording.
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PRE-PRODUCTION & RECORDING TIPS