Live Versus Single Track Recording

[soupking]

Hi GS,

I have a pretty small set-up. My room is 14x18 with 12 foot high ceilings. My 'coontrol room' takes up about a third the space. So I've been trying to talk my friends into doing single-track recording.

Granted, live is better for feel, but if I had to do single-track recording, are there things that anybody would suggest to do as an FYI to help improve the 'feelability' to tracking.

One that I've noticed is don't let musicians play their parts in the control room. In our set-up it seems to kill 'the act' and feel like musicians just play the notes rather than feel them.

Any experience in work arounds? I almost feel like this is something for an acting coach or something but I thought I'd ask. I'm trying to stay aware of the sound being recorded.

Thanks GS,

[Jules]

I think you have to be careful that you don't force the bands to conform to a desire to record single track at a time just because it is more 'convenient'.

You really have to make an effort to be true to the music and record in whatever way will get the best recording done.

So try hard not to toss the vibe out the window by tracking a band one at a time when they really need to do takes live.

This can be doubly hard to get right if you are dealing with junior bands - as they may ask to do it live at first but then may very quickly hop over to "Oh well, the older engineer must know best - so lets do whatever he suggests is best" - again, problem is - if you are suggesting it for the wrong reasons, (quieter life, simple session, less hassle, avoid big set ups, skip managing live takes etc etc.) Then you are basically bullsh!tting the band and not serving the project as you should.

This is HUGE problem with smaller studio set ups - its called Big fish in a small pond syndrome. The self important small studio owner can grumpily tell novice bands all sorts of BS. Some examples -

"No we cant mic the bass cab - a DI will sound the same / better anyway"

"No you cant all record at once" (when it IS actually possible)

"This guitar simulator plug in will sound better than your amp anyway"

In a large studio you would never get away with that sort of BS, but the big fish in a small pond - can create their own house rules...

Its OK to have your own rules but try to make sure that they always serve the MUSIC and not your convenience.. And be aware that if clients come into your studio that are used to pro studios - you may have to go with what they ask for - even if it is 'not how we normally do things round here' - or you risk losing those clients.

Song 1st
Your convenience 2nd