Home Recording!

Al Quandt · Post by **Al Quandt** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:06 pm

For the heavy stuff I agree there isnt enough passion in it. You are playing heavy music, but you dont fit with the band (in the recording that is). Hopefully this is coming off right. You need to think of your self as just as heavy as them. Put power in to your voice just the same as the guitars do by being fast and distorted or how the drums are double bass instead of single. Think of yourself as no different then them. I am not saying you should dirty your vocals by any means your voice is perfect, just add that power to mix with them.

On another note I would love to hear this live. I know that once there is a record button involved, performance instantly changes because of nerves, it sounds different, exc.... That will be like that for a while but put that confidence behind your good voice and that feeling will die quick. My first times recording were nerve wrecking and I know I drummed less then par because of it. Now I dont even think about it when in the studio since I have been there so much.

Good luck you guys have a good thing going. I see a few local bands try the girl singer on harder music and fail because the singer isnt actually that good, really just a pretty face. You on the other hand have a good vocalist as well.
Keep it up!

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:51 am

Thanks. Like I said, I don't really know a lot about recording. I don't have trouble putting more strength in my voice, I just thought that singing too loud would make the recording get messed up or something.

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:21 am

The are several good books available...like the Dummies or Idiots guides that will help you get a solid foundation on recording principles.

Try Borders and B&N

All the best tools mean nothing if you don't understand them

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:01 am

Maverick wrote:Thanks. Like I said, I don't really know a lot about recording. I don't have trouble putting more strength in my voice, I just thought that singing too loud would make the recording get messed up or something.

Nope. You want the hottest recording signal possible without distortion - digital distortion is especially heinous. You need to give them as hot a signal as you can and let the man at the board set the levels.

One of the things I dislike about modern recordings is they're not particularly musical very often. Everything is limited and compressed and maxxed out all the time, so there is very little dynamic range - but, it is what it is, so give them the hottest signal possible and go from there.

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 4:36 pm

Oliver's Army wrote:The are several good books available...like the Dummies or Idiots guides that will help you get a solid foundation on recording principles.

Try Borders and B&N

All the best tools mean nothing if you don't understand them

I'm not looking to learn how to record- I don't have any of the equipment.

And Bassjones: Distortion! That's the word I was looking for. I was worried it would distort. But that's a great idea! I'll just sing really powerfully while he sets up the recording stuff... Dunno why I didn't think of that.

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 4:44 pm

Doesn't matter.

You should always be learning more about your craft, so when you do go into a studio you can have solid input to get what YOU want.

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 5:51 pm

Oliver's Army wrote:Doesn't matter.

You should always be learning more about your craft, so when you do go into a studio you can have solid input to get what YOU want.

Exactly. I have an easier time in the studio than some other bass players who can play me under the table because I know there is a difference between playing live and playing in the studio. Live, I can be more expressive dynamically. In the studio, volume has to be very consistent to get as much signal as possible onto the tape - well, actually hard drive anymore, but same idea nonetheless. I also know that playing live I run my bass active with the tone controls wide open, while studio work is best with passive basses and some of the high end rolled off. Live, I like using fairly new strings. In the studio, it sounds better with older, half-dead strings or even flatwounds (unless the session calls for slapping). I also know to request the bass be recorded without compression and have the producer compress it later - it just sounds better that way. I can give you a lot of other examples. I will probably never be a studio engineer or producer - at least not on a major level - but I've learned enough about recording equipment and techniques to make suggestions, ask intelligent questions, and carry on geek speak conversations with the engineer.

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 11:32 pm

I don't consider my craft to be recording.

echosauce1 · Post by **echosauce1** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:20 am

If I may interject...

I think what Ollie was trying to say was that even though your craft is singing, learning some basics about how to record your voice can be a good thing.

It can help when in a studio situation to be able to communicate effectively with the people recording you, ie having a basic grasp of the process and geek terms they use. If you understand some basic concepts of recording, that communication can be much easier and save time as well as getting a sound you want. Time is money after all if you are paying by the hour.

I'm not saying you need to understand every aspect of the process, that is what the engineer is for. But, having the ability to understand some of the basics of the process can only help you.

Then again, Ollie is an old fart so he might be full of sh*t.

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:49 am

echosauce1 wrote:I think what Ollie was trying to say was that even though your craft is singing, learning some basics about how to record your voice can be a good thing.

Yup.

Also, allow me to say that I have sung entire songs flat, or without enough energy, or missing the right tone or growl or feel. You just scrap it and do it over. Vox are the EASIEST parts to do over. It's easier to punch in and out of those than anything else. I tried to punch in and out for guitar parts. . .it doesn't work the same.

I think you (maverick) have a talent that you should definitely turn into a skill and explore more. Breathing is the key. I can't stress that enough. Do breathing exercises, get a keyboard and do scales. You'll add power, energy, sustain, tone control, and a host of other things (including about a half an octave to your range) if you do.

I work every day on improving what I do and mastering my craft. . .and when I'm done scrubbing toilets, I sing a little and goof around on a guitar.

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:00 am

Thanks for the constructive criticism :]

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 8:37 pm

I was attempting constructive, but not critical. I don't know you from eve, how you sing, what you do to practice, or anything like that. I was just saying what I know from 20 years of vocal training and experience (all city choir, all state choir, issma first places, countless live and recorded performances). You may already know and do all those things. Hopefully, you do.

Renegadesoulx · Post by **Renegadesoulx** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:50 am

uh this is a little old now,
the reason the drums were not in the mix at first is because I am retarded. haha
But i have fixed that!
i think will have a song and rerecorded vocals up in less than a week(?) i hope!

Btw.. does anyone know any drummers?!!!!!! seriously

bludspyre · Post by **bludspyre** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 3:53 pm

After listening to the song about three times I have to admit the vocalist is fairly good, although it doesn't YET mix in with the music. And this is only constructive criticism.

Have her relook over the music and either add something to accompany her soprano vocals (backing vox? possible) Or she can lower herself an octave to best suit the tuning and guitars. But overall I do like the music, and your vocalist does have a beautiful voice along with being attractive herself.
I hope to see you guys in a show soon, and I'll be in front row.

PS- keep going with this because it will pay off in the end

from StG

::SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC::

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:05 am

Okay that's definitely not what I would consider soprano singing. We tried adding stuff, but it didn't sound so cool. And singing an octave lower.. I'm not sure how that would sound or if I would be able to sing it as well.

Once we find a drummer, you'll be seeing us around definitely. :]