Little tips to help make your recordings the best they can be.

There are many things that can’t be fixed after a piece is recorded. Many simple problems can easily be corrected before they ever become an issue. Some simple errors that go un-noticed during tracking can become huge obstacles when mix down happens. The following are some of the problems and solutions that I have encountered in the past.

  Drummers: Be sure to check all of your pedals for squeaks, especially the kick pedals (when that really cool break happens you don’t want kick pedal squeak to be the next sound you hear). Unless your heads are 100 years old don’t bother changing them, if you do, make sure it is done well in advance of your session. It always changes the “feel.”

Guitars: Fix the minor problems you have. IE: cables and bad connections. Change your strings a day or 2 before your session. Play and stretch them in. Make sure your intonation is set correctly.

Bass: Same as above. Intonation is a huge problem with bass guitars and also the most overlooked. 

Singers: Bring your microphone with you, if does not suit you, we will find one that will. If you sing rock music try not to sing/scream for a few days before your session. Get some Throat Coat and bring it with you. 

Horns: I hardly ever have a problem…. keep up the good work.

A good quality practice tape given to the studio in advance will go along way in helping the engineer know what you want?

The Producer: If you don’t have one, you need one. In order of succession, after the musicians, comes the producer. For most of us that person is our closest friend and confidant. . As a last resort use the recording engineer. Not to say that he or she cannot offer good competent advice, however during basic tracking, only a familiar person knows if a part was performed correctly.

Producer: The person who can tell you when and why you suck without guilt, shame or a BUZZ. We are not talking about the drunken guy that harasses the soundman!

Do not enter the studio with out a producer.