Handy musician checklist.

kevinc · 13th July 2004

I remember seeing a couple check lists posted for bands coming in to be recorded.

I can`t seem to find them with the search function.

The one I`m remembering seemed to go way beyond "bring an extra set of strings" which is why I remembered it.

Could any of you direct me to anything good or give me some of your own tips for suggestions to make to bands coming in to record ?

These days I`m allways finding I forget to tell them something that could have saved some time along the way.

I`m thinking of just having a standard list that I email to the band members just to cover all the bases and make things easy.

Jules · 13th July 2004

Great idea!

Midlandmorgan · 13th July 2004

Good plan...this is what I (usually) tell people in the last meeting before a session

- Fresh strings
- properly intonated instruments
- one tuner for the entire group
- fresh batteries for effects pedals
- rehearsing before you get there is a LOT cheaper for you
- if you bring amps, make sure they are rattle free and properly set up
- limit visitors to two for the band...wives/husbands/girlfriends/boyfriends usually NOT a good choice
- be prepared to learn something new
- if you don't have fun, its your own damn fault.

axeman69 · 13th July 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Midlandmorgan
Good plan...this is what I (usually) tell people in the last meeting before a session

- fresh batteries for effects pedals

Ammend 'No Wall Warts' to that item.

13th July 2004

"one tuner for the entire group"

Great point.

enharmonic · 13th July 2004

I dunno...call me crazy, but I think that a vocalist could invest in their own vocal mic/preamp/dynamics...gear that they know will be a home run on their voice. I've thought about this for a long time now, and as a vocalist, my next purchase will be a vocal chain that I can have at my disposal no matter where I might be recording.

As a guitarist, you don't expect to go to a recording studio and use their guitars (well...i suppose there are loads of exceptions). IMO, it just makes sense if you're a vocalist, to know what works on your vox, and to then put together your signal chain

Unfortunaltely, this could cost some serious loot. But when I consider that I have over 10 grand into my guitar rig...and I'm a respectable rhythm player at best...it makes more sense for me to have the vocal chain, since that is my primary function.

archtop · 13th July 2004

Finger nail clippers

Dave Martin · 13th July 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by enharmonic
I dunno...call me crazy, but I think that a vocalist could invest in their own vocal mic/preamp/dynamics...gear that they know will be a home run on their voice.

Umm, expect that there not be a single chain that works for everything. The way that you sing a soft ballad, for example, would make your voice sound diferent than they way that you sing a screaming rock song. and the 'best' vocal chain may well vary, depending on the other instruments on the track, the weather, the pollen count, the sound of the room, and the temperature.

I have a couple of guys (not vocalists, thank god) who bring their own signal chain when they work here - I'm happy to try it, but we usually find that something else works better.

Cornvalley · 13th July 2004

http://www.itrstudio.com/tips.html
Harvey's tips are good tips.

enharmonic · 13th July 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave Martin
Umm, expect that there not be a single chain that works for everything. The way that you sing a soft ballad, for example, would make your voice sound diferent than they way that you sing a screaming rock song. and the 'best' vocal chain may well vary, depending on the other instruments on the track, the weather, the pollen count, the sound of the room, and the temperature.

I have a couple of guys (not vocalists, thank god) who bring their own signal chain when they work here - I'm happy to try it, but we usually find that something else works better.

Fair enough, and I agree that there's not one solution for all songs/performances from a vocalist.

Thing is, I've been tracking my vocals now for about 6 years, and have a good bit of experience getting my voice to tape (along with engineering for others). I don't think I'd be doing anyone a disservice if I brought a U-47 to a session

. At the worst, it wouldn't get used. At the best, I'll be at home on a mic that I am very familiar with.

As far as pre's, I like a variety of pre's on my vocal depending on the application. I also get good results from an 1176 or an LA-2A when it comes to compression. Again...couldn't hurt for me to have them with me when I'm tracking

Dave Martin · 13th July 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by enharmonic

Thing is, I've been tracking my vocals now for about 6 years, and have a good bit of experience getting my voice to tape (along with engineering for others). I don't think I'd be doing anyone a disservice if I brought a U-47 to a session . At the worst, it wouldn't get used. At the best, I'll be at home on a mic that I am very familiar with.

Sure. On the other hand, I know a violinist who thinks that his 4033 and cheap ass preamp sound good...

kevinc · 14th July 2004

Great stuff guys !

Thanks !

I like the one tuner idea the batteries for effects and the finger nail clippers in particular.
I remember having to cut my own nails with a razor blade once when they were way too long at the beginning of a session.
Funny how those things can creep up on you.

Cornvalley · 14th July 2004

Kevin..don't forget a nice diamond dust nail file to go with the nail clipper. The hard edge made by the clippers on the nail will dig into your fingertip that will make it sore before too long (especially if your on guitar). Round the edges with the file.

genericperson · 14th July 2004

make sure the drummer has a new-enough head on the kick and snare, or make sure they have replacements in their car. a ripped snare drum head will mess up the entire session. also cymbals and hi-hats can crack at any time. backups would be helpful here too.

to me, you can get by tracking bass the next day if you had to. but if you can't lay down the drums, that could really be a problem. unless you're def leppard.

also, ask them to bring in cd's of music they want to sound at least something like, if possible. that could give you some clues on how you would want to mic things. they might not even be aware that some guitar parts on their favorite band cd's are triple-tracked, and that the drums have sample overlays using sound replacer. something like this could affect tracking decisions.

Gregg Sartiano · 14th July 2004

If a vocalist had a $10000 vocal chain he/she loved with a cool A/D converter, why would he/she go to a studio anyway? If a few different settings are dialed in, radio-ready vocal tracks could be recorded with little hassle. This has actually been true for a while -- remember when people would get a mic, pre, and ADAT to do their vocal tracking?

Obviously, this is ideal if an artist is producing his/her own vocals. Of course, if a producer is needed, many would be willing to work where the artist is comfortable.

13th July 2004	#1
kevinc Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Beantown Posts: 2,462 Thread Starter	Handy musician checklist. I remember seeing a couple check lists posted for bands coming in to be recorded. I can`t seem to find them with the search function. The one I`m remembering seemed to go way beyond "bring an extra set of strings" which is why I remembered it. Could any of you direct me to anything good or give me some of your own tips for suggestions to make to bands coming in to record ? These days I`m allways finding I forget to tell them something that could have saved some time along the way. I`m thinking of just having a standard list that I email to the band members just to cover all the bases and make things easy. __________________ - Kev

13th July 2004	#3
Midlandmorgan Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Midland TX Posts: 1,120	Good plan...this is what I (usually) tell people in the last meeting before a session - Fresh strings - properly intonated instruments - one tuner for the entire group - fresh batteries for effects pedals - rehearsing before you get there is a LOT cheaper for you - if you bring amps, make sure they are rattle free and properly set up - limit visitors to two for the band...wives/husbands/girlfriends/boyfriends usually NOT a good choice - be prepared to learn something new - if you don't have fun, its your own damn fault. __________________ Ken Morgan Wireline Studio Midland, TX Good Sound Starts With Good Gear - Great Sound Starts With Great Players

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13th July 2004	#2
Jules Gearslutz.com admin Joined: Apr 2002 Location: A Yank in London, UK Posts: 17,808 1 Review written	Great idea!

13th July 2004	#5
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	"one tuner for the entire group" Great point.

13th July 2004	#6
enharmonic Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: 410 Posts: 603	I dunno...call me crazy, but I think that a vocalist could invest in their own vocal mic/preamp/dynamics...gear that they know will be a home run on their voice. I've thought about this for a long time now, and as a vocalist, my next purchase will be a vocal chain that I can have at my disposal no matter where I might be recording. As a guitarist, you don't expect to go to a recording studio and use their guitars (well...i suppose there are loads of exceptions). IMO, it just makes sense if you're a vocalist, to know what works on your vox, and to then put together your signal chain Unfortunaltely, this could cost some serious loot. But when I consider that I have over 10 grand into my guitar rig...and I'm a respectable rhythm player at best...it makes more sense for me to have the vocal chain, since that is my primary function.

13th July 2004	#7
archtop Gear Head Joined: May 2003 Location: Stanwood Wa. Posts: 64	Finger nail clippers

13th July 2004	#9
Cornvalley Gear addict Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Woodland Hiils, CA Posts: 438	http://www.itrstudio.com/tips.html Harvey's tips are good tips.

14th July 2004	#12
kevinc Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Beantown Posts: 2,462 Thread Starter	Great stuff guys ! Thanks ! I like the one tuner idea the batteries for effects and the finger nail clippers in particular. I remember having to cut my own nails with a razor blade once when they were way too long at the beginning of a session. Funny how those things can creep up on you.

14th July 2004	#14
genericperson Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 521	make sure the drummer has a new-enough head on the kick and snare, or make sure they have replacements in their car. a ripped snare drum head will mess up the entire session. also cymbals and hi-hats can crack at any time. backups would be helpful here too. to me, you can get by tracking bass the next day if you had to. but if you can't lay down the drums, that could really be a problem. unless you're def leppard. also, ask them to bring in cd's of music they want to sound at least something like, if possible. that could give you some clues on how you would want to mic things. they might not even be aware that some guitar parts on their favorite band cd's are triple-tracked, and that the drums have sample overlays using sound replacer. something like this could affect tracking decisions.

14th July 2004	#15
Gregg Sartiano Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 1,804	If a vocalist had a $10000 vocal chain he/she loved with a cool A/D converter, why would he/she go to a studio anyway? If a few different settings are dialed in, radio-ready vocal tracks could be recorded with little hassle. This has actually been true for a while -- remember when people would get a mic, pre, and ADAT to do their vocal tracking? Obviously, this is ideal if an artist is producing his/her own vocals. Of course, if a producer is needed, many would be willing to work where the artist is comfortable.