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Getting Ready to Record

B

bbass75

Dec 14, 2008
60
0
NYC
#1
Hey Janek,

I'm wondering what you do to get prepared for a studio session especially with your own band. Could you walk us through what you go through and your process the week of recording with your group? Would be great to hear what you do to prepare for something like this. Thanks!

James
 
#2
it's mainly about being ready to perform myself and feeling relaxed and comfortable with the music. I rarely have time to rehearse with my own group before a record date so it's normally a process of learning the material with the band in the studio and putting together a concept for the melodies and the harmony.

I have a set list of things I require on a record date in terms of gear I like to use. I'll go for some vintage outboard gear, some nice mics, a good mixing console, a great engineer. You should check out the bunker studios in Brooklyn that's owned by my good buddy and incredible bass player John Davis. They have their **** together over there in a big way, and john really knows his stuff. I just did my last record there, and intend to work there as much as I can in the future on subsequent projects.

Working in the studio is made easy by hiring the right cats for the gig. When I have the choice I work with only the best guys in their respective fields, and can come up with incredible results that way.

Janek
 
#3
Janek,

Thanks for the response. Could you expand a bit on what your specific preferences are when going into the studio? I'm wondering, do you leave a lot up to the engineer or do you specifically request certain mics, or any other gear to be used (if so, what do you request for specifically?)? Thanks

James
 
#4
hey janek!

this thread is a little old, but thanks for the kind words, bro! that record was a blast to track and mix... and i can't wait for the next session, always great to hang.

btw, we're moving to an EPIC new space... and getting a Steinway... piano record time...

john
 
#5
Hey Janek,

Could you tells us more about how you recorded the cd. Did use an amp or go direct? Did you use a sub on some of the tracks?
This cd sound more produce than the others ones. Was this something you in mind from beginning?

Maybe this could be something for your video site. But I wrote it here so John also could add something if he wants :)
 
#6
hey guys,

as far as I remember I was direct and also used a mic in the room with the amp... to be honest I don't really remember, maybe John does...?

there are certain mics I really like for certain things.... some ribbon mics like coles, RCA 44, Royer 121 etc etc... it always depends on the sound of the musician, the room, the signal chain... its' so variable.

I actually know far more about studio gear than I do bass gear so I get a little involved. But I always work with the best engineers I can find so I have a large amount of trust. And I know someone like John for instance really knows his stuff inside out so I can place complete trust in his professional, musical, and personal opinions and decisions, and be relaxed in the work environment.

I think that's a huge part of any record, actually maybe it's the most important part. Being relaxed and being happy to be working. We could be in a room with three SM58's, a laptop from 1993 and some cables from radioshack and make something sound incredible if the vibe is right and we all want to be there working together. And we could be at Avatar Studio A with all the greatest gear known to mankind and make a crappy record if there are people there that shouldn't be....

Janek
 
#7
hey!

yeah, i remember how we tracked the stuff... the bass was direct through an Avalon U5, and Janek's TC rig was mic'd with a nice old Neumann U67 into a Neve 1084. In the mix, both signals were used about equally, but the DI track was often given some subsynth action from the Lowender plugin... it is like a software version of the DBX120 with built in drive and filter... there was some compression, but i can't remember what... probably a Federal AM864/U on the DI, and maybe an 1176 on the amp? dunno... something like that. the bass sound was also in the drum room mics, because they were live in the same room, with just some baffles between them.

john
 
#8
Nice one John, I must make a note of all that myself!

and yes, can't wait to see the new space and to cut another record this year. And it seems piano will just have to be a feature......

Janek
 
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