My first BIG session..need advice :)

TLMUSIC · 29th January 2008

Tomorrow is my first (solo) big session .. I'm a producer and will be recording a big songwriter / singer and want to get it right.

I will be using an Avalon 737 as my main pre ... should i shave off a few db using the 737 compressor on the way in, or just use the pre..? My logic is im gonna compress it ITB anyway, so i may as well get a little analogue compression on the way in..maybe 4-5 db?

Usually i don't have to worry about this stuff too much as the engineer does it .. so i am a little anxious as im on my own this time.

I'm going to be tracking into Logic 7 .. i have set up the vocal tracks, all sent to a reverb bus..only i have never set a reverb for a singer whilst tracking..im going to be using Space Designer..so any suggestions on this would be helpful..

I've prob come off as sounding like a complete beginner..but im not..i just want to make sure i get everything right tomorrow lol ..

Thanks if you can offer me any advice..

Peace

travisbrown · 29th January 2008

Make sure you back up your sessions.

TLMUSIC · 29th January 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisbrown

Make sure you back up your sessions.

Yep..got that one covered

ambiguity · 29th January 2008

Get to the studio an hour early to relax, have a cup of coffee/tea, and get yourself ready for the gig mentally.

Goodluck.

Yetti · 29th January 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLMUSIC

Tomorrow is my first (solo) big session .. I'm a producer and will be recording a big songwriter / singer and want to get it right.

I will be using an Avalon 737 as my main pre ... should i shave off a few db using the 737 compressor on the way in, or just use the pre..? My logic is im gonna compress it ITB anyway, so i may as well get a little analogue compression on the way in..maybe 4-5 db?

Usually i don't have to worry about this stuff too much as the engineer does it .. so i am a little anxious as im on my own this time.

I'm going to be tracking into Logic 7 .. i have set up the vocal tracks, all sent to a reverb bus..only i have never set a reverb for a singer whilst tracking..im going to be using Space Designer..so any suggestions on this would be helpful..

I've prob come off as sounding like a complete beginner..but im not..i just want to make sure i get everything right tomorrow lol ..

Thanks if you can offer me any advice..

Peace

Don't worry Brotha, you will do fine!
Pre compressing 4 - 5 db on the loudest peaks is also a good choice.
Going easy on the reverb during tracking is best...of course you can give it a little extra when listening to playback.
Just make sure that your artist is completley happy with the headphone mix, and keep the bass up a little louder than normal...seems to help most guys.
Good luck!!!

daryllh · 29th January 2008

don't forget how cool your job is...

work hard and have fun

The MPCist · 29th January 2008

Get there early. Set up. Go in the booth and check the headphone mix with vocal level/sound/reverb level. Get a coffee and then just relax until they get there. It's no big deal if you've recorded a lot before -- just do it your way as usual. Be secure in your working methods as they are coming to you to work.. and not the other way around.

And, oh yeah, go easy on the compression.. especially if it's the Avalon

just a few dbs on the loudest parts are enough....

nek · 29th January 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragan

Get to the studio an hour early to relax, have a cup of coffee/tea, and get yourself ready for the gig mentally.

Goodluck.

+1 on this thumbsup thumbsup

I learned this one the hard way once... never again, always be relaxed.

Remind yourself that you know what you are doing.

Goodluck.

ihearsounds · 29th January 2008

Smoke a fat joint, light up some incense, make the atmosphere mellow, take it eeeasy, man, it´s going to be fine! Good luck!

TLMUSIC · 29th January 2008

Cool..thanks for all the advice..i'm sure its gonna be cool.

deve · 29th January 2008

I think you will hear if you want to compress or not once the session has started. This is what you are trained for. You'll be fine.

Keire · 29th January 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihearsounds

Smoke a fat joint, light up some incense, make the atmosphere mellow, take it eeeasy, man, it´s going to be fine! Good luck!

exactly, this is what you should never do on the first day of anything....

Mr. Z · 29th January 2008

Just doing vocals?

Yeah, a little compression on the way in is cool. I would definitely record the vocals dry, but setting up some reverb and delay for monitoring/headphone mix comes in handy; artists all have their preferences.

In addition to arriving early and setting up mic levels, I also like to open up a bunch of tracks that are ready to go once I start cutting vocals. That makes it easier to keep the session flowing while doing punch-ins (I usually use a separate track in DAWs), layers, doubles, etc.

Have fun!

river · 29th January 2008

If you do compress, EQ, any processiong at all on the way in (which I prefer not to), take detailed notes on your settings in case the writer calls you a week later and says he/she wants to punch a few phrases on the vocal. If the vocalist has some studio chops, you might not need to compress at all. Less is always better when tracking, you can't take it back later. Indeed, make sure to have fun. If you're having fun, the client is more at ease and likely to give you a good performance to work with.

29th January 2008	#1
TLMUSIC Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 531 Thread Starter	My first BIG session..need advice :) Tomorrow is my first (solo) big session .. I'm a producer and will be recording a big songwriter / singer and want to get it right. I will be using an Avalon 737 as my main pre ... should i shave off a few db using the 737 compressor on the way in, or just use the pre..? My logic is im gonna compress it ITB anyway, so i may as well get a little analogue compression on the way in..maybe 4-5 db? Usually i don't have to worry about this stuff too much as the engineer does it .. so i am a little anxious as im on my own this time. I'm going to be tracking into Logic 7 .. i have set up the vocal tracks, all sent to a reverb bus..only i have never set a reverb for a singer whilst tracking..im going to be using Space Designer..so any suggestions on this would be helpful.. I've prob come off as sounding like a complete beginner..but im not..i just want to make sure i get everything right tomorrow lol .. Thanks if you can offer me any advice.. Peace

29th January 2008	#4
ambiguity Lives for noise Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,023	Get to the studio an hour early to relax, have a cup of coffee/tea, and get yourself ready for the gig mentally. Goodluck. __________________ A friend with weed is a friend indeed.

29th January 2008	#7
The MPCist Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 4,536	Get there early. Set up. Go in the booth and check the headphone mix with vocal level/sound/reverb level. Get a coffee and then just relax until they get there. It's no big deal if you've recorded a lot before -- just do it your way as usual. Be secure in your working methods as they are coming to you to work.. and not the other way around. And, oh yeah, go easy on the compression.. especially if it's the Avalon just a few dbs on the loudest parts are enough.... __________________ THE MPCIST

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29th January 2008	#2
travisbrown Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,140 9 Reviews written	Make sure you back up your sessions.

29th January 2008	#6
daryllh Gear addict Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 334	don't forget how cool your job is... work hard and have fun

29th January 2008	#9
ihearsounds Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2007 Location: planet earth Posts: 201	Smoke a fat joint, light up some incense, make the atmosphere mellow, take it eeeasy, man, it´s going to be fine! Good luck!

29th January 2008	#11
deve Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2006 Location: istanbul TR Posts: 766	I think you will hear if you want to compress or not once the session has started. This is what you are trained for. You'll be fine.

29th January 2008	#13
Mr. Z Gear nut Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 120	Just doing vocals? Yeah, a little compression on the way in is cool. I would definitely record the vocals dry, but setting up some reverb and delay for monitoring/headphone mix comes in handy; artists all have their preferences. In addition to arriving early and setting up mic levels, I also like to open up a bunch of tracks that are ready to go once I start cutting vocals. That makes it easier to keep the session flowing while doing punch-ins (I usually use a separate track in DAWs), layers, doubles, etc. Have fun!

29th January 2008	#14
river Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,190	If you do compress, EQ, any processiong at all on the way in (which I prefer not to), take detailed notes on your settings in case the writer calls you a week later and says he/she wants to punch a few phrases on the vocal. If the vocalist has some studio chops, you might not need to compress at all. Less is always better when tracking, you can't take it back later. Indeed, make sure to have fun. If you're having fun, the client is more at ease and likely to give you a good performance to work with.