Bon Iver CD Recording Details

[virtualsamana]

Anyone have any info on recording techniques, gear, etc. I know it was done in a very minimalist way and that he spent a few months in a cabin writing and tracking. Other details?

[chuckfurok]

MP3.com: And being someone that records in isolation myself, I'm curious what you used, what you brought with you to your cabin retreat?

Justin Vernon: Well, it was more out of necessity. The stuff I had then wasn't even that good. I basically had an early Pro Tools setup with a really old Macintosh that I'd kind of spliced together, fixed up and sort of fixed and broke a billion times. So when I was up there, I mean, I always sort of have it with me. I didn't mean to make a record. So I sort of learned some things because all I had was a Shure SM57 and the preamps that are built into this old Pro Tools hardware I have. It's not like the best thing in the world at all, but I think since that's all I had, I worked really, really extra hard and thought extra carefully about the mix and the spatial relations on the album and making sure that it didn't sound too digital and really taking care of the post-production--well, I shouldn't say post-production because it all sort of happened at once.

MP3.com: It sounds very warm for a Pro Tools record.

Justin Vernon: Yeah, I know... I was really meticulous about getting in the car and getting it into places where I really felt like, you know, music doesn't really breathe when you're sitting in front of the computer screen sometimes. So I must have done like 40 mixes where I burned it out on the CD and made notes and really carved out a lot of high end. And the mastering engineer out of Chapel Hill, Mike Peterson, did a really good job helping me with that... It's kind of like wrestling treble to the ground or something, I think. That's how I would put it in as far as getting the record to have the right vibe in the mix.

More here:

MP3.com: Interview - Validating Bon Iver

[withintheflux]

I am really thankful for this record. If not for the inherent beauty alone, then for making an album that displays with perfect clarity the triumph of material over gear.

the songs and the performance render all other details mostly unimportant.

of course, it should be added that he is clearly talented and worked around his limitations gracefully.


blake

[chet.d]

Originally Posted by withintheflux

I am really thankful for this record. If not for the inherent beauty alone, then for making an album that displays with perfect clarity the triumph of material over gear.

the songs and the performance render all other details mostly unimportant.

of course, it should be added that he is clearly talented and worked around his limitations gracefully.


blake

Agreed.

A fine work.
The thing about having limitations is they can be more fully explored to reach a unique and at times, kinda brilliant end.

[6strings]

I think we'll hear more and more about these types of situations given the changing state of the music industry. And it's not just with the indies, either. From a recent Mix interview with the Killers:

Oftentimes Flowers would intend to record scratch vocals in the Battle Born control room with a Shure SM58, but they sounded too good to replace. The quality of the music transcended any perceived limitations of recording equipment and technique

Let me re-post that last sentence:

The quality of the music transcended any perceived limitations of recording equipment and technique

Perfect. That's my new mantra for 2009.

Good luck all & Happy New Year!

[n8tron]

Just found this thread through a search for this guys recording techniques. Thanks for the link.

This thread definitely needs to be revived so others can both listen to the music as well as learn the lesson in the previous post.

awesome.

[britdick]

Without a doubt the best album of the year for me and an ear opener! Worry less about the gear and more about the songs, the sound, the way it makes your skin feel and you're already there....a truly beautiful gift from Justin to all of us.

[britdick]

Justin has said that the recordings were saved in the mix and the mastering...all of the original recordings were done as demos for an album he would re-record later but after hearing the songs his friends convinced him that this WAS the album! Beautiful.

[Alexi]

great artist and a great album....i really enjoy his new ep. as well.

I would love to know which kind of reverb was used in the beginning of "lump Sum".

Any ideas?

[weemies]

Re:stacks is so amazing... I couldn't agree more that this album is a fine example how unimportant (slutty) gear is compared to engineering talent and fabulous performances.

[bernsense]

Originally Posted by chuckfurok

So I sort of learned some things because all I had was a Shure SM57 and the preamps that are built into this old Pro Tools hardware I have. It's not like the best thing in the world at all, but I think since that's all I had, I worked really, really extra hard and thought extra carefully about the mix and the spatial relations on the album and making sure that it didn't sound too digital and really taking care of the post-production--well, I shouldn't say post-production because it all sort of happened at once.

well, he also talks about using ribbons, which to me, the guitars very much sound like most of the time.

check this one out: Quit Your Day Job: Bon Iver | Stereogum

love the record!

[GearBit]

Just one more justification of everything I have been saying here since 2005.

The only people who care about mics, CLA, analog etc.etc. are musician/ engineers. The rest of the people who listen to music for the right reasons don't care what is used or to a large extent, how it sounds.

If this news gets out though, GS is toast.

Oh yeah, Bon Iver? Absolutely beautiful album. Lyrics could be better though.

[Dove]

He really pulled something off here and what is really great is it doesn't sound like every industry cookie cutter clone album on the radio. The industry has done a real disservice to artists in the homogenization of sound. Some people though, are coming away from that corporate sonic drone and really shining forth in a field of weeds.

BTW, if you like this album you may also enjoy The Bowerbirds first album.

[rectifier]

Originally Posted by GearBit

Lyrics could be better though.

Given the subject matter, they could equally have been infinitely worse..

[steelyfan]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by GearBit

The only people who care about mics, CLA, analog etc.etc. are musician/ engineers. The rest of the people who listen to music for the right reasons don't care what is used or to a large extent, how it sounds.

For sure. Athough gear is fun to talk about, I'd much rather talk about techniques/production ideas/tricks than see the blueprints for another new preamp.

About this albulm, I think alot of people are coming around to what I call the "found diary" sound of music production. A more intimate sound, the sound of a personal recording space with average gear used to record cool music. It sounds different because it is different, and it won't suffer from this era's dreadful trend in music making. This type of recording sound never goes out of style because it has style to begin with. I think the albulm sounds great, and am glad enough people dig this guy.

John Frusciante has been making these type of recordings for almost 20 years, they never get tiresome to listen to, these diary entires.

[Ernest Buckley]

Originally Posted by virtualsamana

Anyone have any info on recording techniques, gear, etc. I know it was done in a very minimalist way and that he spent a few months in a cabin writing and tracking. Other details?

Wow, I know am late to the party but I started listening to Bon Iver, Forever Emma just this week and can`t stop listening. What an outstanding record! I am shocked to hear he recorded using Pro Tools and the onboard pres of an 003? Does anyone know the details? Not that I`m getting an PT gear but wow! Amazing. I just got his Blood Bank EP this morning as well. Truly amazing.

Maybe our ears are starved from hearing such organic records...

[benonline]

I read it was an 001...

[cwalker]

Justin Vernon is one of my favorite artists and I have become a fan of almost all that he does. His recordings really capture an emotion and an aura that I really think is what people are looking for when choosing music in this style. I love the term "found diary" as it very accurately describes what Justin was trying to do.

I am looking forward to the Volcano Choir show tomorrow to see what kind of madness they cook up!

[99ster]

Originally Posted by benonline

I read it was an 001...

Yes - it was an 001. And an SM57.