Producing my first record for someone else, what instruments should I have?

[John_McEnroe]

It looks like I might be getting hired to record/produce my first record for someone else. I have produced several of my own records, but this will be the first time I work with another person for serious money. I have a good mic/preamp collection, and we will be renting what I don't have already. I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what instruments/noise makers I should have on hand to make for the most creative environment possible. I would say the style is sort of Wilco/The National/Radiohead.

Here is what I already have:

Upright piano

Fender Jaguar
Fender Telecaster
Fender P-Bass
Dave Smith Poly Evolver synth

Fender Deluxe Reverb reissue
Guitar PodXT
Bass PodXT

Lots of shakers/ percussion


The artist has a really nice acoustic

The drummer has a great drum kit.




I am thinking maybe I should be getting another amp, something like a Tiny Terror perhaps (since I would love to have one anyway).

Am I missing anything obvious that would really make a difference in terms of achieving some tonal variety for a full length album?

Obviously I am going to experiment with different mics for different songs to try to change things up.

I am pretty much just trying to create as creative an environment as possible.




Let me know what you think!

[arthurchino]

first thought, assuming you have all you need in terms of actual recording:

plenty of guitar FX pedals... with cables to send anything and everything through them..

if you're working ITB at all, then free plugs, weirder the better.. and pluggo is great for inspiration... toys / beatboxes...

plenty of paper and pencils. . seriously...

lighting, carpets (depending on the vibe of the artist)

plenty of talkback mics from performers to you, so communication never breaks down.

I'm sure I can think of more, back in a while. .

[henryrobinett]

Why do you feel responsible for providing their instruments?

[Greg Curtis]

Melotron (flute/cello)

vibraphones

banjo

eukelele

treated piano

Theramin

.

[arthurchino]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

Why do you feel responsible for providing their instruments?

I don't think the OP is suggesting he should provide their basic instruments; rather that by having them "lying around" the session inspiration levels will remain high.

[John_McEnroe]

Originally Posted by arthurchino

I don't think the OP is suggesting he should provide their basic instruments; rather that by having them "lying around" the session inspiration levels will remain high.

Exactly. When I have been to other people's studios to record I always loved having access to keyboards and guitars that I had never played before. I always found it to be inspiring.


I really like the vibraphone idea as well as the guitar pedals idea. I can definitely pick up some guitar pedals cheaply.

[arthurchino]

harmonium

[rodrigo]

always inspiring:

-Rhodes
-Wurlitzer

But may be too much just to have them lie around waiting to be used. You could look for substitutes (e.g. Lounge Lizard) NI B4 is great to have also....

Small amps (pignose, etc. ) to reamp vocals, solo instruments, etc...

Tambourine(s)
Leslie amp / simulator
etc...

[James Meeker]

Where's the modular analog synthesizer?

70's string machines are a good thing to have around for that generic synth was. ARP Omni is a good bet.

[chymer]

Originally Posted by rodrigo

always inspiring:

-Rhodes
-Wurlitzer


etc...

thumbsup
oh and an optigan

[John_McEnroe]

All really good ideas thanks guys. I am going to print this thread.

[arthurchino]

capos / slides / ebow etc. . .

[AnthonyRochester]

glockenspiel

[GoldenOne]

I would want as much random percussion as possible. Few different shakers, tambourines, hand drums, and various ethnic instruments. This definitely includes mallet instruments like, the glockenspiel, marimba, xylophone, and vibraphone. Also, talk with their drummer about different cymbal combinations and snare drums.

One of my favorite local studios has amps that run the gamut from great clean tone (Fender Silver/Blackface), to great dirty tone (Marshall Jubilee), and even some great colors in between (Alamo, Skylark). A couple of good extension cabs with different speakers might also be a big plus, i'm thinking something with vintage 30s or greenbacks. If you're looking into Orange amps for this kind of music I would check into the AD30 instead of the Tiny Terror, but listen to both and see what you or the band likes. Also, it's never a bad idea to get some great cheap toy amps like the Smokies, Danelectro/Marshall stacks, or vintage options. Nothing like finding some great recorded tone by using something that you wouldn't expect.

Keyboards are always a great addition so I would definitely like to have access to a Rhodes (setup dirty OR bell like), a Hammond like organ with Leslie, some cheesy type organs like a Gibson G101 or Farfisa, and a Wurlitzer 200a. Software is definitely getting better at emulating these keyboards, but you WILL DEFINITELY want to get a reamping device so you can run their signal out to a a good amp/cab, see above.

Synths are also great to have around so I'de look into modular OR getting an Access Virus. You already have the polyevolver so getting into a modular setup might be a little more original.

Most important though, shop for a great recording studio that might already have access to such equipment instead of trying to rent. Also make sure the environment itself is up to the task, as you can never underestimate how the room affects both the aesthetics of recording as well as the sonic imprint on the final product.

[rockrev]

* Stomps - the more the better (cheap or expensive) - and save your nearly drained batteries for an effect.

* Cheap amps - find a real crappy practice/small combo amp. I believe the guitar solo on Muse's "Exo-politics" was a pawn shop special, laid speaker-down into a pillow (mic on the back). There's always some use for a P-O-S amp.

* Cheap acoustic guitars - look for character, not tone.

* Cheap (or not cheap) headphones - run something out (mono) and mic them - OR - use them as a microphone (cool trick)!

* Guitar do-dads (ebow, slides, pinky slides, capos, wide variety of picks).

* Children's musical instruments and/or noisy toys.

Just a few.

dj

[Suspects]

A nice Strat

Vox AC-30

Fender Twin (the Deluxe never did much for me)...


Dave/Suspect Studios

[DeadPoet]

Has anyone mentioned shakers of all sorts, tambourines, clave, and other assorted small percussion?


Herwig

[cbc459]

A theremin

[stagefright13]

Well the band if it is really good with use there own stuff. But alot of bands are financially challenged and will greatly appreciate some high end tube amps and an assortment of guitars/bass. A piano is nice to have I don't have one of those like you. And of course shakers, tambourines, wood block, triangle, and a host of the cheap percussion stuff such as that. Wich ya probably already have.

But having a bunch of "Try Me" stuff is always gonna get tried and many times used if they like it. The more the better! Expect any guitars and stuff to get played by clients even if they just wanna try it out. Having a kick and snare that you KNOW you can make sound good is always a plus for me. Just in case!

"More Cowbell !" "Do you have rototoms?" Just kidding on that...

[Jack Ruston]

I find that easily the biggest problem with most bands is a lack of basic quality in their equipment. Anything quirky can often be borrowed or rented but the big drama is when they turn up on day one with a really average pile of gear. Things that generally make my heart sink are...JCM900's with 1960A cabs (why must every band buy those cabs!? ) dodgy drum heads and or drums, and anything that's clearly brand new and bought for the session (because you can't stop them using it if doesn't sound good!). As an aside I tend to find that the worse the drums are, the more extraneous cymbals and 'extras' the drummer seems to have. Whenever I see a load of splash and chinas going up I know we're in trouble.

It's a real joy when bands 1. Have great and well maintained gear, and 2. Are also however really into trying your great and well maintained gear too.

Guitar amps are probably the single main thing that I personally get the most benefit from. I always take DI's at tracking and my own amps have saved the sound of so many projects. In fact I dont think I've used a guitarists own amp on anything in the last two years apart from the guides.

J

[John_McEnroe]

Wow great replies! Thanks a lot everyone. I will definitely be referring back to this thread for ideas.


Cheers!
thumbsup

[Flying_Dutchman]

Korg Chaospad

[kafka]

Originally Posted by rodrigo

always inspiring:
-Rhodes
-Wurlitzer

Hand percussion is good. An amp or guitar they're not used to can inspire a bit - but only if it's a really good one. You could get an AC30, but I wouldn't do more than that. Get rid of the Pods.

Don't overdo it, though. Just enough to add a little bit of variety and inspiration to their routine. You don't particularly want them to spend studio time learning how to play the marimba (even though that is exactly how Under My Thumb came about).