When you record, do you go for "feel" or "no mistakes"?

[kesslari]

What's your approach to recording (for release)? Does the finished song need to be mistake-free? Do you quantize and move notes to get "perfection"? Do you record a take that sounds and feels good and say "yep, that's it"? Or somewhere in between?

I ask because I'm typically a "somewhere in between" leaning toward "if it's a good take with good energy and groove, don't mess with it". But I've worked with producers who would go through each beat and nudge the kick drum (or other parts) measure by measure if it wasn't exactly where they wanted it (and this was for a drummer with good groove). And I thought the final product sounded kind of sterile.

So I'm curious about others' practices and leanings.

 

[heatheroo1]

Both

 

[Nashrakh]

I'm all for keeping the most natural feel of the music. For the music I've recorded so far, each of the layered tracks is basically one ~15 minute take. If there's a single bum note in there, I'll fix it, but otherwise, I won't do anything to it, no quantizing, no pitch correction.

I see no point in it if the band is to ever see the stage - either they can play, or they can't. If they can, no need to fix the recording. If not, they have no business being in the studio.

 

[oZZma]

I have never recorded anything but I'd go for both, anyways I find in some genres imperfection is even beneficial and I think the feel is more important.

 

[Paulabass]

I grew up in analog, where fixing a mistake seamlessly was a last resort. I prefer everyone to get the beds perfect in a continuous take. That said, sometimes if the groove is perfect, let it be. EVERYONE knew both guitars were out of tune on Layla, but the groove and energy was 'once in a lifetime'.

 

[mrcbass]

The only recording I've done with intent to release, was for original jazz fusion stuff. Very difficult music (but very musically rewarding). I always strive to not make mistakes, but when recording, I will tailor my lines to avoid problem areas when recording. Live, I'll be a little more aggressive - mistakes don't linger as much live, but on a recording they are there forever. Yeah a few punch ins here and there, but prefer a clean take - I do lot of our post production work, so am especially aware of how much effort punch ins add to the mastering process.

 

[bass40hz]

Play it with feeling and attitude or it will sound as sterile as the way you performed it. Technology now allows you to erase a mistake on a recording without trashing the whole track.
Rock on.

 

[JRA]

everyone goes for both, of course, but IME: you can fix a few mistakes. you can't correct what someone doesn't feel.


in the days of analog: it was way more complicated than the cursor edits of today, but the best engineers were as good with a blade (and other editing skills) to effect the same results as we are used to now. analog actually has some advantages! today (digital) it's just easier --- and a lot quicker!

 

[Joe Nerve]

Mistakes and quantizing are totally different things. I had some serious fights with someone I was working with regarding that a while back. I posted some tracks here too (will again if I can find them)... funk stuff that got DESTROYED by this maniac quantizing all kicks, snares and bass lines. I want nothing to do with that nonsense, and it will never happen with any of my music. If someone is paying me, they can do whatever they want.

Feel has also always been what's most important to me. There were a few times I messed up badly during a recording, and it sounded awesome so it stayed.

 

[Spidey2112]

In my 20's, I aimed for perfection...

... as I aged and got wiser, I soon learned not missing the toilet was an accomplishment in and of itself.

 

[five7]

Done it both ways depending on producer and engineer. I had guys make me and a drummer do 30 takes and then use the third one. Some people are cut and paste fanatics.

 

[micguy]

I believe it was Neil Young that said what you want is a good recording of a great performance. A great performance isn't necessarily mistake free. It probably doesn't have glaring mistakes, but a few things that point out that it's humans playing, and not robots, are OK. I'd rather punch in a note or two to fix obvious things in a great performance than play incessant takes, hoping one will be mistake free - inspiration fades pretty fast if you do that.

If you're fixing things in every measure, you either have poor musicians, a control freak for an engineer, or both. Nothing good will come from that practice.

 

[StyleOverShow]

Both of course, but in the end 'the feel' is a priority.

Just finished an album and the amount of nit picking edits gives it a canned feeling IMO. Couldn't play it live, it's jive.

 

[Dave Leighton]

The "feel" of a song is what draws me to it in many cases. So to me that's number one for me. As many have said minor/small mistakes can be easily fixed in this day and age. But that doesn't mean not being prepared.
Now on the other hand if you pee down your leg on the take...

 

[nilorius]

When recording i try to don't loose the feel, but in the way to not mistake.

 

[grinx]

for clients and friends, perfection
for the band or solo efforts, the occasional off-note just adds color and sonic 'sideways dog head'

 

[Jeff Scott]

...I've worked with producers who would go through each beat and nudge the kick drum (or other parts) measure by measure if it wasn't exactly where they wanted it...

Time=$$$ for the engineers/producers. Of course they want to spend as much time as possible to perfect their product to the detriment (possibly) of your music. I wonder how time they'd take if the producer/engineer was on a flat fee.

As to my desires in recording my music, I will fix obviously bad stuff, but I want my music to breath and have a real life to it.

 

[JimmyM]

Why do I have to choose?

 

[Robscott]

Mistakes and quantizing are totally different things. I had some serious fights with someone I was working with regarding that a while back. I posted some tracks here too (will again if I can find them)... funk stuff that got DESTROYED by this maniac quantizing all kicks, snares and bass lines. I want nothing to do with that nonsense, and it will never happen with any of my music. If someone is paying me, they can do whatever they want.

Feel has also always been what's most important to me. There were a few times I messed up badly during a recording, and it sounded awesome so it stayed.

Yep, quantizing will squeeze the life out of funk especially - shouldn't always sit right on the kick, we're not playing pop music here!

 

[ZonieBass]

I've had the engineer replace a very noticeable bad note I hit in a slow ballad type song. But other than something glaring like that, let it ride.