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A band I was in recorded 3 on the same day. Man that was a rush job and we knew everything about what we had written too.

Volume was down so bad that when a local bar asked us if they could put the number on the Jukebox they had to turn up the volume. How bad is that?!

I have what was called the master but it isn't, it is just a Windows CDA format with no separate track listings so we got stuffed truly. I was thinking of re-writing or even using some parts since I co-wrote them but that too is impossible so again a re-write. The Lads went off to do other things but I did say that I'd try to get them over here on a mini tour of some sort?

10 years ago that was and again the recording was totally screwed.
I'd say much like everyone else is here. Make sure you know everything you need to but keep an eye on what is going on behind the glass window too.

As said before learn your parts backwards and forwards.

When we get set up I like to get as many rythym tracks done as possible. My band has floundered thru a couple of songs in 2-4 hours and one night we put down 20 songs, just running thru them like a gig.

If you are paying to get recorded I would get as many done as quickly as possible, back to line one KNOW YOUR PARTS.

These days Ive been doing some original demos for my group. I will work up an arrangement of a song, go into our bassist studio. I ussually have him pull up some canned drums to play to and just lay down my rythym guitar tracks. I can ussually get it done in a couple of takes and I then double track the rythym. Lately weve been big on noise tracks, line up the pedals and just add a bunch of weird textures.

Since my group live is 3 piece I dont really worry about overdoing a song. Ive got songs I recorded 20 yrs ago and when I think about it now I wish I had gone back and added some little parts to stand out and make the song special. My thought these days is that I dont how much longer our band will play or exist, so anything I record Im going to add little things that embellish the music as much as possible. Most of these things I cant touch live. But if I listen to the recording 10 yrs from now I will be glad I did that. For examples listen on my player to the song Alive by Pearl Jam, I added all kinds of little guitar punches and reverb wash's just to make folks wonder what was that or just to make the song sound bigger. Everyone on here thinks a little different on this subject, but I like to build up a huge mix.

Just my 2 cents

George have fun recording, make sure the headphone mix you have is what you want. If something is too hot or not hot enough make sure the engineer gets it like you want. The big thing is to take a deep breath and have fun with the recording process. Make yourself comfortable before you start recording, loosen up!

We got a free session at a major studio in Nashville (the drummer knew the engineer) we were there at midnight and played 'till about 3am, Just did one song. The drummer was in a sound-proof glass room, and I remember my amp was put into a L shaped thingy with me sitting facing it and the mic right in front of the amp. I think they also had it direct-routed to the mixer board. It was a 24 track studio that had a 3M machine that ran 2 or 3" tape. I wonder what the studios look like now.. Just a few computers and the mixer and fx racks or something? .. I'm rambling now.. sorry.. We did our lead-off song which we had played 100's of times so we all knew it inside-out. That proved (as already stated) to be a big advantage (no re-takes). Was fun. Kind of a party really. Except for the power failure 1/2 way through and it was all dark and the sound eng guy said "dont touch anything!!" he was really freaked for a few minutes

Pre production is extremely important because you are paying for studio time and you want to minimize wasted time cost money. Pre production is exactly what FB is talking about know your songs inside and out. Make sure your drummer can play with a click track because this can freak them out if they are not used to it. Know how to play your songs without the vocals. I prefer to lay down the basic tracks first to all the songs this saves a lot of time; drums, rythm guitar, and bass guitar or keyboards these would be your basic tracks then come back and lay down lead solo's, lead vocals and then harmony vocals. Be a perfectionist and don't allow any sound on the recording that you don't want, if you do you will regret it later. Be prepared for the unexpected and be sure everyone has reletively new strings especially the bass guitar and everyone tunes to the same tuner preferably a strobe tuner every good studio should have one.

be sure everyone has reletively new strings especially the bass guitar and everyone tunes to the same tuner preferably a strobe tuner every good studio should have one.

Also make sure guitars and basses have the intonation checked and set. Tuning is no good if intonation is out.

Man you guys are scaring the crap out of me now!
Why cant life just be simple?

George,
I'd shoot the whole batch of tunes that you have solid arrangements for, thereby acquiring a nice collection of well recorded, listenable tunes that you don't mind listening to in the car. The more you and the rest of the band listen to the same arrangements, the tighter you will get when you play them. When you get to where they always sound great to ya'll, then chose one, go back in the studio, and do it up right. The important thin is to make sure that you got them well rehearsed BEFORE you buy time.
John

Its not really that complicated George we just don't want you to learn the hard way. I am assuming you guy's are doing originals in this recording session. My advise to you guy's is to take a step back and really think this through.

If you are doing covers it is usually best to just go in and play your show, but if you guy's are doing originals well thats a whole different thing. My originals come from such a deep place in my soul they are almost as valued as my children and I am going to protect them in a way that is totally different than a cover song.

The click track thing is the most important because if your drummer can't set the pocket with a metronome, well that is the foundation and without a good foundation you have crap period. and a lot of wasted effort and MONEY.

We have been doing a variation of that all along John. The principle reason for the practice session recordings has been for us to have CD's in the car, as well as to practice to when the band is not together.
Logistics of distance and schedules has made it very difficult for us to get together more than once a week. It's a shame, but thats where we are at present.
Should be rehearsing tonight, but Steve had to work for the man.
Be nice if someone I dont know would die and leave me a bunch of money. Or leave it to Steve!!

The click track thing is the most important

And if any of your songs start with acoustic or electric guitar (or any instrument by itself other than the drums), make sure the click track is going and being recorded and you get at least 4 clicks to bring the intro in. If you don't and later you decide you want to redo the intro, there will be hell to pay.

Ratsass, Huh? I guess you are just more intelligent than me buddy I surrender.
You are the Man

J-
We are only interested in recording our original music.
And other than my assumptions as to what a click track is, from reading you guys talk about it. I have zero experience in such. ( I will speak with Steve about it just the same)
I am afraid there is nothing you gents can do to keep me from learning the hard way. That has been my way for 48 years. LOL
I will be making arrangements to see the studio and talk to the R.E. I am taking notes so I have at least some idea of what questions to ask.
Correct me if I am wrong minded in your opinions, but I really just want a good recording of how we sound "live". I have never seen a live show, or heard a live recording that was "perfect".
I dont expect us to come off sounding like Boston or something.
Because frankly, it is pretty obvious were not.
Eric has been to the studio many times in his carrer. He will be our anchorman.

I wish you luck my brother!

Ratsass, Huh? I guess you are just more intelligent than me buddy I surrender.
You are the Man

Not at all. It's just that every time you add something, it reminds me of something I screwed up before. It's definitely a learning experience.

Being in the studio, you dont have to be re-creating "live" sounds, you have the advantage of being able to over-dub, add multi-effects, and re-do every little misconstruance. It's a benefit, rather than a misconception. I have a live recording of Boston live and they sucked really bad.. I could post it if I knew where but I'd probably get sued so I aint gonna, but, really, Have Fun with it!!!! It's more of a blast than it is a bad thing!!