Recording Studio Experience

chrisw · 24-09-2009, 12:20 PM

I've been lucky enough to receive a 4 hour recording studio experience with these guys: Recording Gift Studio Experience - Recording studio day at Gift Daze and wondered if anyone has either used this particular company or been to a studio before?

I'm a guitar playing song writer, but don't rate my voice much and am not sure how comfortable I'll be singing to a complete stranger... I can sing in tune but my voice has a pretty horrible sound to my ears!

How many songs do you think is realistic to try and record in 4 hours... I have 3 that I'd like to try and get done, but wonder if that's too many, especially as that time includes production / mixing. Also, I use generic drum loops on my songs and they offer the ability to have musicians play the drums (or any other instrument) for you - I have no idea about drumming in terms of what I like, so how should I go about telling them what I want?

Any advice welcomed...

**Kieron** · 25-09-2009, 12:07 AM

I'd imagine any session musicians are going to run you some serious money - unless they are included in the package?

For a drummer, just sing the beat you are looking for and tell them whether it's to be played in quarter, eighth or sixteenth note beats. The drummer will pick up on what you want pretty quickly - even if you sound out the beat "boom, tish" style!

3 songs in 4 hours. Hmmm, you'll be suprised how quickly the first couple of hours will shoot by just learning the basics. I'd be happy to get one complete track done - and with that you should have something to be very proud of at the end of the session.

Good luck - and have fun

chrisw · 25-09-2009, 7:15 AM

I think the session musicians are included... if not, I'll be sure to ask how much they are!

Thanks for the advice re: drumming...

Just need to see when they can fit me in now... am thinking November so I have some time to seriously practice my stuff.

deadtotheworld · 25-09-2009, 8:29 PM

Will the other musicians have their gear already setup, mic'ed and ready to go?
How long does it take you to set up your gear?
Are you playing an acoustic guitar or electro/acoustic or electric guitar or both?
Will you be micing the acoustic or electric guitar amp or will you be going straight into the desk?
Do you have ideas for vibes or tones on your songs?

How many tracks of guitar are needed - for example 2 electric rhythm tracks, an acoustic track and an electric lead solo? Add on top of that a Bass track and a drum track and your vocal track with possible background vocal track. Bare in mind that there may be mistakes! Give a thought to how you want to record - will every track be recorded seperately, or will you track the bass guitar and drums at the same time, whilst recording a scratch guitar track?

Think of how you want to mix your song - you could have a basic drums, bass and vocal and acoustic in the middle, a left rhythm guitar and a right rhythm guitar and pan some lead overdubs to the left and some to the right, plus there are lots and lots of other options in between.

Im not trying to put you off as its a great experience to create - but it is worth thinking about all these things and maybe a good idea to call or meet the studio guys and ask questions to be fully prepared to make the most of your time. Time does go fast in the studio and it can add a lot of pressure to playing when you know you are running out of time. Is there a way you can purchase an extra 4 hour session and do a straight 8 hour session rather than 2 x 4 hours sessions (to save on setting up, micing etc)

Whatever happens I wish you good luck and above all... enjoy it - the studio adds a whole new dimension to your musicianship. I am a session musician so have had some great and some really bad studio experiences, so I am more than happy to help if you have any more questions on here or PM me if you prefer.

chrisw · 26-09-2009, 10:29 AM

Thanks Deadtotheworld - some really useful insight there... hadn't really thought about any of this to be honest... think I'll give them a ring and have a chat.

I've still not decided what I want to record, so probably need to speak with them before so I have an idea of what's realistic to achieve.

chrisw · 21-11-2009, 1:15 PM

Well, I went and had my session yesterday and I've rarely enjoyed anything as much. Working with someone who really knows what they're doing was great and he really made me feel comfortable with everything, especially as I don't like the sound of my voice. I'm almost certainly going to go back and record a couple more tracks. I'd share my song with you, but no idea where I can put this as I'm not a myspace person...

Deadtotheworld - cheers for your advice - it really helped set my expectations and make me think about what I wanted to do with this.

Crocodile · 21-11-2009, 2:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisw

I'd share my song with you, but no idea where I can put this as I'm not a myspace person...

You could quickly knock up "video" for YouTube using Windows Movie Maker. At it's most basic you can simply import the song & just add a title & credits.

Jules · 22-11-2009, 11:09 AM

It would be great to hear your track...

Why not do what I do... just upload it to to an online storage site (I use Box.net... it's free).
Then link to the file's location in your next post here (there is an option to generate a link to the file in your box.net account), and if it's an mp3 it should simply play when we click it.

Look forward to it.

chrisw · 22-11-2009, 11:29 AM

Thanks Jules... have managed to do this now, so here it is... be gentle with me:

01 It's Your Birthday.mp3 - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

Jules · 22-11-2009, 11:41 AM

Not bad at all.

I thought the vocals were a bit too dry and recessed in the mix, but it definitely has that 'studio' feel overall.

chrisw · 22-11-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

Not bad at all.

I thought the vocals were a bit too dry and recessed in the mix, but it definitely has that 'studio' feel overall.

Thanks for the feedback...

Yep - I've emailed the guy as the final mixdown didn't sound like the last version I listened to before he mastered it, plus there are a couple of weird noises on it (one after about 11 seconds in).

I'm no singer, so also have a version without vocals cut which I'm going to get a mate to sing on...

deadtotheworld · 27-11-2009, 9:05 PM

Great to hear that you enjoyed the experience

And again if there is anything that you would like advice with that didnt really work well the first time or whatever... Im happy to help.