Studio Virgin - HELP!

bassist4dalord · #1 12-18-2009, 07:50 PM

Well, I might have just landed my very first studio gig. I am soo excited right now

Anyway, I've never done studio work. I've done live/church stuff for five years.

So, the gig is an alternative/rock band. Here's a site for listening:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoodfightmichigan

As you can see, they're folk/indie/alternative. I plan on using my Squier Precision Bass, stock with Ernie Ball rounds. I think the stuff on their MySpace was played with an Ibanez SR506 6-string with Elixir's.

I have a Hartke VXL Bass Attack pedal, which I would like to use (maybe) because it has a direct output. However, I'll use whatever they tell me to.

I just want some input from you experienced guys; what do I do? How do I act? I've never done any recording, so any and all words of advice/input/whatnot will be greatly appreciated and taken into consideration.

bassist4dalord · #2 12-18-2009, 08:21 PM

Hello? I should mention I'll be recording very soon: not entirely sure when, but soon. Thanks.

steveinohio · #3 12-18-2009, 08:24 PM

Go in relaxed and ready to play. Bring the gear you would like to use and listen to what the engineer tells you. Have fun!

bassist4dalord · #4 12-18-2009, 08:25 PM

Thanks Steve! Keep posting people!

makanudo · #5 12-18-2009, 08:39 PM

Relax and dont try to nail it all in one take, just have fun relax and enjoy, id kill to record in a studio so i envy you!

best of luck!

J. Crawford · #6 12-18-2009, 08:42 PM

Yes, be relaxed. I did my first few sessions in ONE TAKE because I stayed calm. That got me into a few more sessions.

Just breath, stay calm, and remember, when recording, almost all mistakes can be taken away.

bassist4dalord · #7 12-18-2009, 08:50 PM

Thanks guys! I have an actual problem with anxiety and worry, so staying calm should be interested. Hopefully things will work out. Thanks again and keep 'em comin!

bassist4dalord · #8 12-18-2009, 10:04 PM

(BUMP)

Revvv · #9 12-19-2009, 12:07 AM

I prefer to do studio work over a live performance. Obey the above advice and have fun. Play as you normally would. It's that playing that got you the invite.

bassist4dalord · #10 12-19-2009, 12:11 AM

Good point, Revvv. Thanks guys this is all really helpful!

darkfinger · #11 12-19-2009, 02:31 AM

Congrats on the opportunity.

Stay relaxed, make sure your gear is working properly, is in tune, and everything that needs them has fresh batteries.

Most importantly be humble, listen to the engineer/producer and enjoy yourself.

bassist4dalord · #12 12-19-2009, 09:47 AM

Thanks darkfinger! Saturday morning bump.

Pitbull Growl · #13 12-19-2009, 10:25 AM

A few things that might make things smoother for ya...

Take a back up bass to the session (sometimes your fav bass will have some crazy buzz/hum when used w/the engineers desk/console. a simple bass swap can save him hours of hunting down where the hum is coming from. I've seen this happen more than once when I lived in a studio for a year)

If you need new strings, restring 'em 2 days before you go in. (this way you have time to stretch the strings and get them to settle into intonation and even out in response)

Practice the material on both basses you plan to take in.

Be sure to bring snacks and something to drink w/ya. (sometimes these sessions can take a while, and you'll get bored and hungry/thirsty)

Trust the engineer. Often what you hear in the cans while tracking will not sound ideal, but once the mix is put together and compressed it'll sound great.

If you make a mistake, just keep going. Often times what seems like a ruined take can easily be fixed by punching in an overdub into a small section to an otherwise perfect keeper take.

Have fun!!!

Hope that helps

MK1 · #14 12-19-2009, 10:35 AM

I also agree with the above advice. A couple other things I would add is to keep your tone as clean as possible, you can always change it in mixing, but if there is an effect that doesn't fit the mix and you tracked it that way you're stuck with it. Also keep your lines simple, IMO the hardest thing about going from live to studio is learning that what may sound cool in a live show doesn't always translate well in a recording.

Good Luck, You'll have great time.

MrTAteMyBalls · #15 12-19-2009, 03:58 PM

also, make sure your bass is properly intonated. very important. it's a good idea for your band to take your guitars/basses to a shop before recording if you dont know how to do this yourself.

bassist4dalord · #16 12-19-2009, 08:22 PM

Thanks everybody, this is helpful. Keep it comin!

MonkeyBass · #17 12-19-2009, 08:27 PM

Best advise has already been said:
Listen to the engineer
Make sure your bass is working as well as it can
Bring a book/snack
Be calm
Have fun
Oh, and lock into the kick drum

corinpills · #18 12-19-2009, 09:23 PM

Make sure your intonation is spot on all the way up the neck and don't be afraid to underplay a little. Nobody ever ruined a track by playing too simple.

Exophysical · #19 12-19-2009, 09:30 PM

Heres how I got my best studio session ever.

1.Party your head off untill last call the night B4, then get invovled in a scuffle and get hauled down to the cop shop while your car gets towed.
2. Its late october in northern Canada and your coat and wallet are in your car and all you are wearing is a t shirt and jeans.
3. Cops decide to let you go and not throw you in the drunk tank. The impound is a couple miles away so start walking.
4. when you get to the impound they tell you that you can not get your car untill 7am, and no you can not go in and get your coat.
5. Go to a nearby all night dinner and spend the next 2 hours trying to warm up using the hand dryer in the washroom.
6. At 7am go get your car and drive to the studio, sleep in your car for a half hour while you wait for everyone else to show up.
7. Despite being so cold you cant feel your hands or even talk properly you lay all your tracks down in one or two takes simply because you are too dead to get frustrated.

MonkeyBass · #20 12-19-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exophysical

Heres how I got my best studio session ever.

1.Party your head off untill last call the night B4, then get invovled in a scuffle and get hauled down to the cop shop while your car gets towed.
2. Its late october in northern Canada and your coat and wallet are in your car and are wearing a t shirt
3. Cops decide to let you go and not throw you in the drunk tank. The impound is a couple miles away so start walking.
4. when you get to the impound they tell you that you can not get your car untill 7am, and no you can not go in and get your coat.
5. Go to a nearby all night dinner and spend the next 2 hours trying to warm up using the hand dryer in the washroom.
6. At 7am go get your car and drive to the studio, sleep in your car for a half hour while you wait for everyone else to show up.
7. Despite being so cold you cant feel your hands or even talk properly you lay all your tracks down in one or two takes simply because you are too dead to get frustrated.

Ha! Great story man! That's rock n roll.