Combining the Control and Tracking Room

[20to20]

Well, I'm gonna do it...

I'm going to move my CR gear
into my main live room this weekend...

I've been pondering and planning this for several weeks,
basically waiting for the inevitable year-end lull to execute...

BTW, I generally record multiple players on real instruments together
(at least for basic tracks), then overdub solos/etc., then vox...
[Rarely any midi/sequencing/programming]

Good reasons to combine rooms:

1. Current CR is a bit small for numerous 'visitors' (it's roughly 11'x13'x9')...
2. Recording in the same room with performers offers many creative advantages...
3. I usually like having the artist(s) in the CR when overdubbing...
4. Have had current setup for 8 years, time for a change...
5. Previous studio had shared-room layout, which I generally enjoyed...
6. Thorough dusting & reorganizing cables/patchbays is overdue...

Potential problems:

1. Live room is a bit small for 'both' activities (it's roughly 11'x23'x10')...
2. Being the in same room with performers could offer unpleasant disadvantages...
3. Sometimes I want the artist(s) in a different room...*
4. Current setup works well, why mess with it...?
5. How will the drums, etc. sound in the 'new' iso booth...?*
6. The dust isn't that thick...

*The space that currently is my CR will be
the new drum/vox/amp/etc. iso booth...

Anybody else working in a shared-room setup...?

Does it work for you...?

[AlexLakis]

The only really glaring disadvantage to me (besides not being able to make faces at the band while they're not looking) is not being able to hear things before you record them. Sound checks are more start and stop. Kind of annoying. If you don't normally use an assistant to set up mics, and if you don't track to tape, it shouldn't be too bad, tho.

I'd be more concerned with how your monitors are going to sound in the other room. You might be used to mixing based on the sound of your current mix room. Changing the room you mix in will most definately change the sound of your mixes in general, even if your mic placement/methods are the same, until you adjust at least.

[Kenny Gioia]

Great Idea. You rock.

I would still make a booth for vocals and guitar overdubs but tracking in the same room is the best way to go IMHO.

Peace.

BTW - Not being able to tweak the drums is the best reason to do it your way.

Hit record.

[Sqye]

I've been doing this for years - I LOVE working this way. I never had much patience for talkback. I like to feel the vibe of the singer, and be totally tapped into their energy and nervous system when I'm working. I find it helps me a get a lot of great performances, and much more easily and quickly/ efficiently (much less time/ miscommunication spent reiterating direction, etc.., then using talkback). Plus, it's a much more pleasant way of working - more musical and more human, because I feel like I'm actually working WITH someone, as opposed to AT THEM. Way to go - enjoy

[maskedman72]

my home studio is 2 rooms but i do everything in 1 room anyhow. it is great. espically if i engineer my own stuff that i play on (i am a drummer) try having gear in another room while you are the drummer in the session and you cant see the gear and you are alone.

[simonv]

I love it too.. I hate being stuck behind a small glass.

If you have a computer, I suggest that you leave it in the CR, and run extension cables for you monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc... That way you wont have the computer noise.

[AlexLakis]

So...how do you guys choose to monitor while recording? Are you in headphones? It's hard to tell if you get a good vocal take without listening to it along with the music...And listening back afterwards every time is pretty time consuming...A lot of times I'll record in the same room, but if I'm doing vocals or acoustic instruments, I'll use a seperate room...How does it work out for you?

[bunnerabb]

Hit record.

I think Kenny just rendered this forum obsolete.

[jchadstopherhuez]

Originally Posted by bunnerabb

I think Kenny just rendered this forum obsolete.

ditto !!!!


i can unequivocally say that 95% of the projects that I have recorded in a situation without a control room/studio/window/talkback mic/headphone situation have been my favorite projects, and produced the most musical results.

this is MY OPINION....but also seems to be the opinion of the folks who still call me to make records with them, and those who pay for them...

do it....make it work, it can, it has, it will.....

just ask....ethan johns, daniel lanois, jim dickinson, and many more...

cheers,
j

[warhead]

Isolation headphones help, I currently have a one room setup (and am soon moving to two!). It's nice to be able to hear what's going on with a good set of cans, I like the vibe of being in the room with the performers. My second room is just going to be a huge (900 SQ FT) open room for when full bands are in, and I can sit with them using a remote if needed...but I do a lot of hip-hop stuff which is a Motif and vocals so I'll still be a one room setup most times.

Like simonv I moved my PC out of the room and run cables to my desk. CPU fan noise can really add up so get it out of the room.

Overall it's not bad!

War

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by bunnerabb

I think Kenny just rendered this forum obsolete.

Very true.

Unfortunately I am part of the problem.

I can't leave.