9th August 2012
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#1 | | Gear addict
Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Northwest NJ
Posts: 373
Thread Starter | Meeting with my first "clients" tomorrow and need some suggestions!
The short of it is I am looking for advice on what kind of things to keep in session notes (I bought a little composition book to take notes in) and what kind of questions I should ask the band, and any advice to a first timer?
And by meeting, I mean just meeting to go over details, the session should be the 19th. So I have a bit of time yet.
The long of it (for those who feel like reading.)
Ok guys, long time lurker, I don't post often though. Quick background, I have done live to 2 channel mixes for DVD's at a local church for a while as well as some stage setup and FOH there. I have done a few small outdoor shows that my band has played in, setting up the PA and running FOH for those (when you ask if there will be a PA system and everyone looks at each other like they have no idea, you just bring one and set it up.) On top of that, I have been working with my band to track an album in the garage we practice in. I have been looking to get into on site recording since I have nowhere at home (I still live with my parents) to set up a studio.
Like I said, tomorrow I am meeting with my first "clients". I put it in quotes because they are a band I met at the last show I did FOH for and I offered to do a recording to test the waters. Since I have never done it before I am doing it gratis. They are a local punk/ukulele band (it works, surprisingly well) and we will be recording in the lead players basement. Tomorrow's meeting is to go over details and such. They are looking to release an EP on cassette, so I am planning to do the tracking on my Tascam 424 portastudios (I have a MK1 and an MKIII), though I will be bouncing all the tracks out of the mixer into my Tascam US1641 so if the tape isn't working out we can jump right to digital with no interruption. So far, I know there will be at least electric uke, bass and drums. Possibly ukulele banjo and an upright bass.
I plan on bringing some blankets, extra mic stands and other things to hold them up, and some jerry rigged gobo's (I hope they have a couch, that would make a good one if needed). The rest of my equipment will be my Mackie CR-1604 for controlling everything (I will be using the mic pre's in it, then running the various direct, aux and main outs to where they are needed), the pair of portastudios, my Tascam US1641 USB interface (8 mic pre's and 6 line inputs for 14 analog channels into the computer). My Yamaha KX-400U will be used for mixdown (I will clean and demag all the heads before use on all of the tape transports.)
For mixing and checking tracks I will have a Stax SR-Lambda Pro's, Grado SR-80's and some home built 2 way speakers (I really, really need to get some good monitors someday, the Stax have been sufficing when augmented with the hi-fi for now).
Mics will be:
Blue Spark
MXL 990
MXL 991
2X CAD CM217
SM58
SM58 clone (VHL I think? sounds almost identical but a little more handling noise)
SM57
SM57 clone (It was sold as "used" on ebay, it was new, and not a real Shure, but it sounded decent so I kept it)
GLS ES57
and a few random dynamics from radio-shack and the like.
I also plan to bring some small folding tables and a chair to set up with.
Anything else I should bring along? (I have cables, cables more cables and backups for those cables, along with adapters of all sorts, so I know I am set there.)
I am so excited to finally take a stab at this!
Thanks guys!
x_25
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10th August 2012
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#2 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Stockholm Sweden
Posts: 422
 |
A few ideas.
First remember that there are at least three "levels" to take care of. You need to be clear of who decides what.
1- getting a decent sound. I say decent because you neither have the room or the equipment to make it really good. Who decides when the sound is good enough?
2- catching a good performance of a song. In this case I expect you will record the same song a few times and select the best take. You could spend a month on getting the perfect take, but who decides when it is good enough?
3- what songs are worth recording. People tend to fall in love with things, and just maybe, that song really stinks, who decides?
My suggestion is to decide on a few things in advance and try to stick to the plan.
- draw a mic list and assign to channels. How many mics on the snare drum?
- make a schedule and try to stick to it. You might allow one hour to setup mics and get a first sound check. Then do a first quick recording of one song, not meant to be kept. Next comes a break, clearing the ears, drinking water and perhaps some calories. Now, with fresh ears listen to the recording and make adjustments. Then do max 30 minutes on each song, breaks for human requirements at least 10 minutes each hour ( including you ). Stop in time and schedule the next recording date if needed.
- and bring a camera. Take photos of where all mics and such are so you can set it up the same later.
Best of luck
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10th August 2012
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#3 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Chico, CA
Posts: 373
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The best way to learn is by doing, so you're off to a good start there.
The first gig will always be a bit nerve-racking (actually, all gigs should be if you truly care...), but you know what to do for the most part.
We all have our own ways on here, some have copied, some have pioneered their own way, but let's be honest, you're tracking a band. It isn't rocket science. Don't let your head get in the way of things. Not saying recording isn't both an art and a science (because, hey, it is), but it's just recording so it's nothing to get too worked up about.
You already seem over-prepared, so that's a good start. I used to do the same thing. Now I'm lazy and I just show up at the studio with a bit too much confidence and a happy face!
So go have fun, share the results if you and the band are willing, and start hunting down your next recording target!
__________________
"Knowing nothing is better than knowing it all." | |
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11th August 2012
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#4 | | Gear addict
Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Northwest NJ
Posts: 373
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by ghellquist  A few ideas.
First remember that there are at least three "levels" to take care of. You need to be clear of who decides what.
1- getting a decent sound. I say decent because you neither have the room or the equipment to make it really good. Who decides when the sound is good enough?
2- catching a good performance of a song. In this case I expect you will record the same song a few times and select the best take. You could spend a month on getting the perfect take, but who decides when it is good enough?
3- what songs are worth recording. People tend to fall in love with things, and just maybe, that song really stinks, who decides? | I can certainly answer all those, so I am doing well. I will be copying this post and pasting it in my notebook though because these are very important things to remember to do. 
BTW, answers are, 1. The Band (They are looking for a lofiish vibe, so shouldn't be too hard to get a sound they will like), 2. again the band, they are well rehearsed and play live regularly. They managed to get every song done with a max of 3 or 4 takes on the last EP they did. And 3. again the band, they have a planned EP, 7 songs with an intro and outro. These guys are certainly on the ball with knowing what they want. Quote:
My suggestion is to decide on a few things in advance and try to stick to the plan.
- draw a mic list and assign to channels. How many mics on the snare drum?
- make a schedule and try to stick to it. You might allow one hour to setup mics and get a first sound check. Then do a first quick recording of one song, not meant to be kept. Next comes a break, clearing the ears, drinking water and perhaps some calories. Now, with fresh ears listen to the recording and make adjustments. Then do max 30 minutes on each song, breaks for human requirements at least 10 minutes each hour ( including you ). Stop in time and schedule the next recording date if needed.
- and bring a camera. Take photos of where all mics and such are so you can set it up the same later.
Best of luck
| Again, awesome advice, thank you so much! I have actually set up most of the equipment in advance since I wanted to try some things with tracking drums and the vocalist for my band is stopping by tomorrow to lay down some tracks as well. Quote:
Originally Posted by ckreon The best way to learn is by doing, so you're off to a good start there.
The first gig will always be a bit nerve-racking (actually, all gigs should be if you truly care...), but you know what to do for the most part. | The first of anything is nerve racking. I have saved the the knowledge I can learn from books and reading, and have the gear, so this next step is putting them all together. It feels like finals week at school! Quote:
We all have our own ways on here, some have copied, some have pioneered their own way, but let's be honest, you're tracking a band. It isn't rocket science. Don't let your head get in the way of things. Not saying recording isn't both an art and a science (because, hey, it is), but it's just recording so it's nothing to get too worked up about.
You already seem over-prepared, so that's a good start. I used to do the same thing. Now I'm lazy and I just show up at the studio with a bit too much confidence and a happy face!
| I tend to over prepare for everything, though I guess that isn't too bad if I have the time (with school out of session and the amount of down time I have for work, I get tons of planning done.) Quote: |
So go have fun, share the results if you and the band are willing, and start hunting down your next recording target!
| Will do! They have put everything up on band camp so far, so I will link that when it is up.
Thanks both of you for the advice!
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11th August 2012
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#5 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Oberlin, Ohio
Posts: 4,162
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Be yourself
Don't "over promise" what you can do
Keep things simple in regards to setups and recording.
Make sure you know what is going on at all times and don't let the technical side overwhelm you.
Watch your levels (you can always bring low levels up but over the top distorted recordings are hard to fix)
Figure out who is going to speak for the group and don't let a simple question turn the band into polar opposites with everyone trying to have their say.
Get plenty of rest before the meeting and the session.
If possible hire someone to help you so you don't get overwhelmed with trying to do everything yourself.
Check and double check everything before the recording as it maybe impossible to rerecord some instrument that was not miked properly or was distorted in the recording process.
Have fun!
__________________
-TOM-
Thomas W. Bethel
Managing Director
Acoustik Musik, Ltd.
Room with a View Productions
Oberlin, OH 44074 www.acoustikmusik.com
Doing what you love is freedom.
Loving what you do is happiness.
Celebrating 18 years in the mastering business in 2013
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19th October 2012
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#6 | | Gear addict
Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Northwest NJ
Posts: 373
Thread Starter |
Just as an update, the EP was put up for preview on bandcamp last week (been busy so I missed it!)
You guys can check it out here if you are interested. BDFM | |
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19th October 2012
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#7 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2008 Location: DC |
Fun. Thanks for sharing.
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19th October 2012
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#8 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Chico, CA
Posts: 373
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Sounds like a good time was had!
Nice work, and thanks for sharing!
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