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Originally Posted by SpectorBass308  My band is getting ready to go into the studio and I would like to hear from anyone who's been in one what your experience was like. What was the studio like? What where some problems that your encountered? How long did it take per song? Did things turn out the way you wanted?... |
You can expect a lot of different things when you are in the studio, and if it's your first time, like it sounds, then it can be nerve racking. Here are some tips for the first time.
1. What was the studio like? Studios are all different, and even the dankest looking ones can make some great music. The first studio I recorded in was a small demo studio in the basement of a strip mall -low ceilings, cramped. Since then I've recorded in several state of the art studios in NYC, some not-so-state-of-the-art studios in NYC (a few that were similar to that first one), one that was a mountain cabin Upstate NY, one on a farm in El Paso, TX, a warehouse sized studio in Switzerland. One studio was even in the attic of a house in Massachusetts (owned by a former member of the Joe Perry Project).
2. What were the problems encountered?
a: The number one biggest problem I have encountered was that there never seems to be enough time to get everything done. That usually comes from lack of preparation, which can be easily fixed. Make sure you know all your parts, together with the band and by yourself. It also isn't a bad idea to learn the tracks just you and drummer. Some studios are so small that you can't have the whole band cut tracks together. Make sure that whoever is doing solos has them all worked out in advance, or has a road map. And, make sure that everyone who sings can sing their parts in tune, and all the way through. You may be tempted to do segments and fix them later, but that is more $$$$. As an engineer I can spend a whole day editing on a decent lead vocal and a week on a bad one.
b: studio equipment malfunctions: I was hired to play bass on a record at a studio in NYC that was made popular because the White Stripes once recorded there. The engineer was an hour late opening the studio. After he fired everything up he discovered the mixer and the multi-track needed to be cleaned. The faders and pots were in bad shape. Then he had to change the drum head because they were beaten to death. On top of that he wanted to charge the artist for all HIS setup time. Later on during the session a snare drum fell off a shelf onto my head during a song. Make sure to scope out the place and make sure everything is in working order.
c: your own equipment malfunctions: You can't predict when something is going to break. So, if you have ANY problems with your gear before you go in the studio, and you want to use it in the studio, make sure you get it fixed first. That noisy pot or broken speaker is going to ruin your recording. Also, make sure you have extra strings, picks and cables. You can't be sure the studio will have what you like.
3. How long did it take per song? See #2a. If you don't know your part, and the band doesn't know the song it can take hours. If you are on your game it can be as long as it takes to play the song - 1 take.
4. Did things turn out the way you wanted? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. This goes back to #2a. If you got your act together, and you have enough money things can turn out the way you wanted. Plus it IS subjective. It is hard to please everyone in the band, especially in the mix down. I love the way my last album came out (
http://atomicbrother.com), but not so much for my guitarist. Although he loves the record and the songs, he expected something different.
5. Something Extra: These are your songs!
If this is your first time be careful about the guys behind the board. Although this can happen to bands experienced in the studio, it can happen more to bands newer to the experience. Many engineers and studio owners fancy themselves as producers and think it is their job to tell you how your songs should go. There are some people that are into a certain thing and try to make all the bands that go through their studio sound that way. If you didn't hire the studio for this, make sure you tell them to mind their own business. These are your songs you are recording, you know what you are trying to say not the engineer.
Best of luck, and enjoy the ride!
