Planning

a

recording

Preparing for recording:Choose a band whose music is interesting.

How do you do that?

•Go to a gig

•Listen to any existing Myspace recordings

•Listen to them practice

•Chat to them

•Word of mouth…

Organising a band

Plan and make notes:

Get e-mail or mobile numbers

Plan in writing -

•Practice times

•Recording dates

•Mixing dates

So that there are no misunderstandings

Working with a band 1

Take some time to get to know the band

If you can generate a rapport -

nice atmosphere in the recording

Musicians feel more at ease

Better quality performance

Working with a band 2

Quality over quantity: Choose 1 song they’ll play well

Try to get a demo recording

Helps you to learn the structure

Get a feel for the attitude of the song

Guide the band with possible changes in arrangement

Help you specify equipment is required to record

Glean whether live or overdub recording is required

Working with a band 3

Help the band maximise their recording

Suggest that they practice to a click

This will tighten up the whole band’s playing

It’ll make editing easier - Grid Mode

Addition of MIDI will be easier - Quantise can be used

It helps to focus the musicians on the song -

(Over fussy stuff tends to be removed)

Working with a band 4

Practice and planning

The band need to be well practiced

They have little time in the studio

They must be completely happy with the structure

They need to note any Tempo/ meter changes

They should think about taking advantage of the studio:

•Vocal arrangements/ guitar doubling/ snare overdubs

Working with a band 5

Production planning

The band need to explain how they want to sound

Encourage them to:

•Make mix CDs of their favorite artists

•Write notes about the song and how it should sound

•Inform you of / invite you to band meetings

Keep them mindful of constraints…

Working with a band 6

Care of musicians / instruments

Recording will sound as good as the instrument/ player

Advise band to maintain kit - WD40 on pedals

Change strings - will sound more vibrant

Re-skin as much of drum kit as possible

Band should come to session ‘clean’

Singer to stay off fags/milk products - problems with phlegm

Bring KIT with them

Before the SessionIf well planned - should run smoothly

Plan order of recording (if overdubing)

Hire all kit you’ll need

Set up as much as possible before band arrive

Test leads for faults

Lay out acoustic screens as needed

Make a ‘No entry’ sign for live room

Safety is paramount

During the SessionBe professional and have fun

Relax - puts band at ease

Bands can be snappy - nerves

Listen to band and advise

S**t happens - keep your head don’t panic

Take breaks

Recording protocol - Press Record first, then thumbs up

Don’t press stop until band says so

Save often - often saved

During the Session…

Keep records

Take a note pad :-

Make any session notes you need

Note what worked and what didn’t

Use drawings of microphone positions

Note where mics are plugged in etc

At the Session endBACK UP THE SESSION

Back up the work on to DVD/ Memory stick

Tidy up

Return stock to cupboard