Hitting the studio for the first time...solo. Help?

Fassa Albrecht · #1 07-13-2009, 05:29 PM

Well I have been working on a solo project and I'm about to hit the studio. This is the first time I've ever been to the studio for anything formal (I've done sit-ins on 'jam' type recording sessions though) and I'm really worried. Particularly as I'm recording several instruments including bass.

Anyone done this before and got any advice?

grifff · #2 07-13-2009, 05:36 PM

There's nothing to be worried about. Just make sure you take breaks when you are getting tired or frustrated, hopefully you are able to play in time because that's one of the main things that throws the rest of my band members off.

Good luck!

Fassa Albrecht · #3 07-13-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grifff

There's nothing to be worried about. Just make sure you take breaks when you are getting tired or frustrated, hopefully you are able to play in time because that's one of the main things that throws the rest of my band members off.

Good luck!

Luckily the song I'm doing is pretty slow...timing is no worry.

Cheers!

Richard Lindsey · #4 07-13-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Luckily the song I'm doing is pretty slow...timing is no worry.

Cheers!

Not to worry you needlessly, but correct timing can be harder with slow songs than with fast ones....

BigOldHarry · #5 07-13-2009, 05:45 PM

Show up on time
Show up prepared
Show up sober.

You do that, and you'll be fine.

Fassa Albrecht · #6 07-13-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Lindsey

Not to worry you needlessly, but correct timing can be harder with slow songs than with fast ones....

It's the guitar I'll muck up for timing if anything...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Show up on time
Show up prepared
Show up sober.

You do that, and you'll be fine.

I might have a problem with the last one.....I drink a lot of sake when playing bass.

bongomania · #7 07-13-2009, 06:05 PM

...and when speaking Serbian, and when doing all the other made-up things you post about doing.

PJSShearer · #8 07-13-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Well I have been working on a solo project and I'm about to hit the studio. This is the first time I've ever been to the studio for anything formal (I've done sit-ins on 'jam' type recording sessions though) and I'm really worried. Particularly as I'm recording several instruments including bass.

Anyone done this before and got any advice?

Are you playing all the intruments yourself?. If so, pick an instrument to be the first one you'll record, work out what you're going to play and thoroughly rehearse it before you get there!!. If you're worried about keeping time, consider using a metronome/click track - and practise with that prior to the session as well!!. Be thoroughly prepared, if you walk into the Studio knowing that you know your material inside out, then what is there to be nervous about?. If you get it wrong, there's always take 2 !!, if you change your mind and decide you hate it - you can bin the whole thing and start again.

Fassa Albrecht · #9 07-13-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

...and when speaking Serbian, and when doing all the other made-up things you post about doing.

Curiously this song is in Serbian...

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

Are you playing all the intruments yourself?. If so, pick an instrument to be the first one you'll record, work out what you're going to play and thoroughly rehearse it before you get there!!. If you're worried about keeping time, consider using a metronome/click track - and practise with that prior to the session as well!!. Be thoroughly prepared, if you walk into the Studio knowing that you know your material inside out, then what is there to be nervous about?. If you get it wrong, there's always take 2 !!

Yeah, I'm playing drums, bass, violin, guitar and doing vox.

I've got one of the Korg 'in-ear' metronomes now so I should and will keep time.

Must....not.....panic.

fretlessguy · #10 07-13-2009, 06:15 PM

P.P.P.P.= POOR PREPERATION leads to POOR PERFORMANCE.

I am a studio animal. I love being in the studio. But, like you, I used to really worry about how I would do on my parts. It made me so worried I actually got physically ill. Well, mentally as well. Soooooo...I came up with a plan:

1. Do I have what instruments (I think you are a multi-instrumentalist like me) I need for this particular session?
This includes tuner, picks, spare strings, effects pedals, reeds, bow rosin, cords, tire changing tool, etc.

2. Do I have my music ready? If by ear, do I have my notes concerning my arrangements and keys ready?

3. Did I practice my arrangements and parts? (studios cost a lot of money to rent, so you need to have everything ready).
Studios are not the place to compose or rearrange unless you are either rich or own your own recording stuff. Time is money.

4. Don't try to do everything in one session. People are more likley to mess up when they are pressured, even by themself.

5. Recording and Playing live are two different animals. The EQing you use in the studio may have to be totally different than a live sound, for example. Listen to your engineer or producer. They will know what is needed (if they are competent). Your giant bass stack may not sound as appropriate as a combo with a single 10 inch speaker and 50 watts might.

6. At the end of a session, burn a CD of the tracks recorded home and listen to them. I have discovered more great ideas for a track by listening to the playback at a later time.

7. If you have demotapes/CDs of your material, take it with you. You can use it to get ideas from the producer and/or engineer.
There are times they are so good that you can use it as a scratch track to record to.

8. Have this all organized neatly. You do not need to waste valuable (and expensive) time trying to remember where the arrangement of your future hit song "Pigs Speak Latin" is.

9. Most of all....loosen up. Have fun. Enjoy the exprience. After all, no one gets out of life alive (unless the rapture hits). Be serious when needed, and joyful when things are going right.

I wish you well with your solo project and the recording time.

FG

David1234 · #11 07-13-2009, 06:17 PM

When using a click track for a really slow song, set it at a fast pulse like double or (depending what time-feel the song has) triple/quadruple the song's speed.

Also, record the click track on a separate track or use a system build in to the recording software, don't count on an external metronome for click since it's impossible to synch it up from one take to the next.

Fassa Albrecht · #12 07-13-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

P.P.P.P.= POOR PREPERATION leads to POOR PERFORMANCE.

*long and useful info*

I wish you well with your solo project and the recording time.

FG

Info noted. Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1234

When using a click track for a really slow song, set it at a fast pulse like double or (depending what time-feel the song has) triple/quadruple the song's speed.

Also, record the click track on a separate track or use a system build in to the recording software, don't count on an external metronome for click since it's impossible to synch it up from one take to the next.

This is a good point...I'll have to ask the engineer about this.

capnsandwich · #13 07-13-2009, 06:30 PM

When mixing, if you have a CD or a recording of a band that you would like for your mix to sound like, bring it in to the engineer so that he has some idea of what you're going for. Sometimes what you want and what he hears are 2 different things. If he can hear what you want then that will make it easier and faster for him to mix down and master your tracks.

Fassa Albrecht · #14 07-13-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

When mixing, if you have a CD or a recording of a band that you would like for your mix to sound like, bring it in to the engineer so that he has some idea of what you're going for. Sometimes what you want and what he hears are 2 different things. If he can hear what you want then that will make it easier and faster for him to mix down and master your tracks.

Good thinking...although I may have an issue finding this song on CD...

capnsandwich · #15 07-13-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Good thinking...although I may have an issue finding this song on CD...

It doesn't necessarily have to be just like a certain song but a song may have similar bass tones or similar dynamics that you would like in your song. A good engineer knows how to create those tones so it would just be an idea, not a clone of what's on that example CD.

Fassa Albrecht · #16 07-13-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

It doesn't necessarily have to be just like a certain song but a song may have similar bass tones or similar dynamics that you would like in your song. A good engineer knows how to create those tones so it would just be an idea, not a clone of what's on that example CD.

Ah right, I'm following now.