What's your process?

[WillyC]

Hi, I've been home recording for several years now, and occasionally done some recordings in a proper studio (at uni etc). I'm looking to improve the quality of my recordings and maybe add to my setup, so I'd like to get a feel for what other people are doing, what they have problems with, how they solve them etc. I'd really appreciate any responses to the following questions:

1. The last time you recorded anything at home, what was your process? (Can you break it down into specific steps?)
2. What problems did you encounter and what measures did you take to solve these problems?
3. How successful were those measures?
4. Have you ever recorded anything in a recording studio?
5. If so, the last time you did, at what point did you transition from home recording to the studio?
6. What advantages were you after from the change to the studio and why can't you get them at home?
7. What does your recording space look like at home?
8. What recording equipment do you have and how much did each piece cost?

Thanks!

 

[jjjtttggg]

Hi Willy,

That's a lot of questions .... I'll take a general shot at them. My process always begins with some kind of scratch track, proceeds to drums and bass. Then rhythm guitars and keyboards, then lead vocals, then backing vocals and finally lead guitars and any oddball stuff (shakers, tambourines, etc.) The last time I recorded it was with a cover band so for a scratch track we just used the original recording. When by myself, I'll use a simple midi drum pattern and acoustic guitar. Whenever possible I use a click, or midi drum pattern so the tempo doesn't vary. Allows pieces and parts to be cut and pasted from one part of the song to another. (This is also an asy way to double track rhythm guitars if song has multiple verses/choruses with same patterns. Just copy 2nd verse to first and vice versa.)

Once the scratch is done, the song structure is set, now track everything part by part playing along with that scratch track.

Mix it and call it good!

J

 

[Armistice]

1.The last time you recorded anything at home, what was your process? (Can you break it down into specific steps?)
I recorded an entire album at home (in the sig) - the process depends upon what's being recorded. "Rrcording" for me is recording acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards and programming MIDI drums and keyboards. Questions's too vague.


2.What problems did you encounter and what measures did you take to solve these problems?
Room issues when mixing were my biggest issue and not being in a position to treat the room I spent a lot of time ironing out bass in particular to get it as close to "right" as possible.


3.How successful were those measures?
None of the people who've bought my CD have complained about the sound quality. Most are amazed when informed it was recorded in a home studio, buth then most people don't know jack about music recording/sound. There are any number of people on this board who've done the same thing, better than I have.


4.Have you ever recorded anything in a recording studio?
Yes. And that's why I decided to invest in home recording. I have a recording studio now. At home. As do lots of people here.


5.If so, the last time you did, at what point did you transition from home recording to the studio?
What is this.. .your class paper or something? I went the other way. From studio back to home recording. Why are you assuming the transition goes only in one direction... have you checked the name of this bulletin board? It's not Studio Recording Dot Com...


6.What advantages were you after from the change to the studio and why can't you get them at home?
N/A - but I believe they stock a wider range of snacks. I went to the studio to get better quality. What I got was inferior recordings in an uncomfortable space run and recorded by an amateur. They're not all like that, obviously... but until I win the lottery...


7.What does your recording space look like at home?
It bears an uncanny resemblence to the lounge room in my apartment - 45 sq m, roughly square (ie. pretty big), high celings, carpet. The colour of the carpet is "sandscape"... I think this makes a difference.....I perch on the end of the couch to record acoustic guitar, usually. It's "merlot" in colour - handy when you spill red wine on it. Electric guitars are in the second bedroom because there's better sound isolation in there and I don't have to be in the room at the same time to listen to that godamned noise.


8.What recording equipment do you have and how much did each piece cost?
You've got to be kidding... lots of it and it cost a motza... I don't add it up, I just buy what needs to be bought. These days, mainly software. I have most other things I need.

 

[fat_fleet]

[*]The last time you recorded anything at home, what was your process? (Can you break it down into specific steps?)
Last night i tried to lay some guitar on a random jam I had going, and also play some drums on a different thing. The individual steps involved pressing record, playing instruments, then stopping.


[*]What problems did you encounter and what measures did you take to solve these problems?
The bassline in the random jam thing sucked, the drum performances sucked. So I erased the bassline and didn't keep any drum performances.


[*]How successful were those measures?
Very.


[*]Have you ever recorded anything in a recording studio?
Yes...


[*]If so, the last time you did, at what point did you transition from home recording to the studio?
Um, what?


[*]What advantages were you after from the change to the studio and why can't you get them at home?
What change? What studio? What can't I get at home??


[*]What does your recording space look like at home?
A basement.


[*]What recording equipment do you have and how much did each piece cost?
Nice try buppy. I'll have you know my dogs are trained to kill.

 

[JimmyS1969]

He he he...

 

[dobro]

What does your recording space look like at home?

A basement.

With a low ceiling. He stoops. It's easier to sit and play guitar.

 

[mixsit]

Hi, I've been home recording for several years now, and occasionally done some recordings in a proper studio (at uni etc). I'm looking to improve the quality of my recordings and maybe add to my setup, so I'd like to get a feel for what other people are doing, what they have problems with, how they solve them etc. I'd really appreciate any responses to the following questions:

1. The last time you recorded anything at home, what was your process? (Can you break it down into specific steps?)
2. What problems did you encounter and what measures did you take to solve these problems?
3. How successful were those measures?
4. Have you ever recorded anything in a recording studio?
5. If so, the last time you did, at what point did you transition from home recording to the studio?
6. What advantages were you after from the change to the studio and why can't you get them at home?
7. What does your recording space look like at home?
8. What recording equipment do you have and how much did each piece cost?

Thanks!

Wow way too much to cover, and there's so many variables..

* The last time you recorded anything at home, what was your process?
* What problems did you encounter and what measures did you take to solve these problems?
I record groups (or others)more than myself.
The process' is meeting and talking out their real needs, expectations, and the realities of the limited facilities of home recording. The pluses and minuses' of tracking as much (many) at once, vs trimmed down to basics tracks with more overdubbing.
I have some fairly std setups worked out that typically work out to seven or eight for drums, mic and d/i bass, then a guitar or two and some vocals-- but. Going past the first guitar and more than a ref vocal 'live.. is getting into real compromise territory.
A) due to space, bleed, more sonic compromises, and much less option for fixing stuff.
b) Most of the people I record are typically not prepared enough, and/or as prepared as they think they were.
As a result, I guess my mix/fix/'find solutions' skills got quite a work out over the years

* What does your recording space look like at home?
Two rooms, a primary (about 14x16) with most of the gobos and partitions, and a connected adjacent larger room to extend into as needed where I track and mix from.

 

[Seafroggys]

The last time you recorded anything at home, what was your process? (Can you break it down into specific steps?)

I was recording a demo of a song I wrote for my proto-metal band. And by demo, I'm talking about something that no one will hear but the band and that's just to learn the song. One-two takes of everything. I had written a basic form and riff in composition software, so I just sat down, one take on drum parts, did the key parts in 1-2 takes, then one pass on bass guitar, and then a quick mix, and bam. It sucks, but that's the point.

What problems did you encounter and what measures did you take to solve these problems?

In this case, a ton of problems, but I didn't care enough to fix them. Actually, I did some editing of the keyboard parts because they were midi, but it was more of a latency issue so it was just adjusting blocks of notes a few ticks here and there.

How successful were those measures?

They made things 4% better?

Have you ever recorded anything in a recording studio?

Home studio or commercial studio? Yes to both.

If so, the last time you did, at what point did you transition from home recording to the studio?

Okay, so you were talking about commercial studios. Actually doing that right now. Tracking my rock musical, I recorded drums and guitars in my home studio, transferring the files to the pro studio and laying down strings, keys, and vocals there.

What advantages were you after from the change to the studio and why can't you get them at home?

The room, more than anything. And access to a proper grand piano. The gear helps, sure (the Blue mic is sure sexy, as well as the analog console they have there) but it was the room and instruments.

What does your recording space look like at home?

Better than most home studios. I've taken over the back half of my parents 4 car garage (2x2, so its deep) and it has pretty decent acoustics for tight recording of drums and guitars without deadening shit.

What recording equipment do you have and how much did each piece cost?

A lot more than what I can bother to list. I mean, my original Firestudio was $700, I built the PC for $450 back in 2007. $350 for my KRK monitors, like $200 for my JPL's used, UAD cards and plug-ins probably runs about $600 or so, maybe more. Mics? Jesus, maybe 2 or 3 grand in mics. Couple hundred in stands and misc. stuff.

[/LIST]

Thanks![/QUOTE]

 

[Mo Facta]

The last time you recorded anything at home, what was your process? (Can you break it down into specific steps?)

I don't really record anything at home because I use my home studio mostly for editing and mixing so I can't be much help there. However, the steps are myriad an varied. Obviously recording at home brings it's own challenges of acoustics and sound leakage (neighbors) so a few methods must be implemented to sidestep or remedy these issues. Those notwithstanding, the process starts with putting down whatever instrument you used to write the ideas for the song, hopefully to click. This makes it easier to add other MIDI instrumentation, edit, quantize and arrange. Luckily, we can get away with recording things like guitars and keys direct to keep the noise factor down and things like drums can be programmed. Like others have said, your question is vague and difficult to answer since processes vary from person to person.

What problems did you encounter and what measures did you take to solve these problems?

I think the number one issue with home studios is acoustics. If your room is lying to you, you'll never accomplish a good recording or mix. You'll always be guessing. Acoustic treatment of your home studio should be your no.1 priority. Once you get that right, monitoring at a low level (around 83dBSPL) will give you the best representation of the mix as your ears are most linear at that level. Headphones can also be your best friend when checking things like low end, provided they have a good response. The rest is semantics, really.

How successful were those measures?

If done correctly, they can be very successful.

[*]Have you ever recorded anything in a recording studio?

Almost exclusively my entire career.

If so, the last time you did, at what point did you transition from home recording to the studio?

It was the other way round for me. I started working in commercial studios in college, moved to a smaller project studio and now I'm in a large studio again. I built my home studio to save me traveling to the main studio for silly things like editing or pre-mixing.

What advantages were you after from the change to the studio and why can't you get them at home?

Better acoustics, larger recording room, control room is properly treated, isolation (booth, main room), better gear, better microphones, better Mac, better plugins, better instruments. All better!

What does your recording space look like at home?

Like this:

[*]What recording equipment do you have and how much did each piece cost?

Too much to mention. I probably have around $50k worth of gear.

Thanks!

Welcome. Hope that helps.

Cheers

 

[Mr Clean]

The last time you recorded anything at home, what was your process? (Can you break it down into specific steps?)

I always start with a metronome/beat. Anything simple to keep time and play along to. Usually Acoustic guitar or bass goes down first, then build from there depending on the song and instruments I want in the track. I sometimes put a scratch vocal on but more often than not I do vocals last.

What problems did you encounter and what measures did you take to solve these problems?

None really. I've been doing this a long time and I'm quite adapt at getting things done and quickly. If I can nail it in one take, all the better. Like Armistice, I struggle with bass on the whole but my ear is getting better to that as I'm learning this new room. (A 9' x 9' x 9' cube)

How successful were those measures?

As above.

Have you ever recorded anything in a recording studio? If so, the last time you did, at what point did you transition from home recording to the studio?

Yes, Lots of times.

I've been recording at home since 1993/4 before I ever entered a studio to record with bands. I have progressed from 2 tape recorders through 4 track tape and 8 track digital to computers.

What advantages were you after from the change to the studio and why can't you get them at home?

I wasn't after anything. I've always enjoyed writing/performing/recording and it's been a long time hobby. I've never used a 'PRO' studio on my own and probably never will. I've only ever been in studios with the bands I've been in and I've not really cared that much for the outcome.

What does your recording space look like at home?

​

What recording equipment do you have and how much did each piece cost?

I'll not list everything but the main bits that I use in my world are.....

HP P4 2.56gHz 4Gb RAM PC - £79 from eBay (An old office PC that was wiped and reconditioned)

2XHP vs19 Monitors. One was my wife's and I got the second, a broken one, from eBay for 99p. It cost me £1.78 to fix 3 transistors. I'm looking for a third.

Wharfedale Sys 5000 HiFi separates and Alantic 500 speakers. Free. I rescued them from an old neighbour who was going to chuck them in the skip. Had to fix a few bits on them. One channel on the amp wasn't outputting. Dry solder, 2 minute fix. CD player needed leveling. Bluetack and a 2p coin fixed that. Cleaned the cassette deck. It had all sorts of shit in it, toast, hairclips, stones, etc. This shit is LOUD!

Roland VS2480CD - This is a stand alone, 24 track, recorder that I picked up off a friend for £250. Had a few broken bits that I have since fixed. I have tested it as a stand alone but never recorded a project on it as yet. I currently use it as a controller for my DAW/Reaper. It works well but I think it will be sold on, for someone to get better use from it, in the near future. (Plus I can double my money)

My current soundcard is my old reliable M-Audio Delta 2496. I've had this since 2001/2. Never failed me. I never need more than 2 channels so I just run my 2 preamps into that. Studio Projects VTB1 (£130) and Alesis MicTube Solo. (Around £40 from eBay but it came with an MXL990 mic, bargain!)

Mics I have are the MXL mentioned above, a Studio Projects B1 that has seen better days but still works well, (forget how much I paid, around £100) a Red5Audio RV6 (£70) Cheap mic but very versatile, a AKG D680S that I found with a load of other bits, wires, harmonicas, in an old shed while on a clear out job. I have a few other mics, not worth mentioning.

The Organ I got from Freecycle. It's got a lovely Leslie Rotary inside and comes in handy.

Guitars/Instruments. Jim Deacon Pro Jumbo Acoustic - I've had this guitar since 1996, paid £180 for it second hand, it has been my main guitar for gigging/recording for all these years until I recently got my Epiphone Hummingbird Pro. (£270 with a hardcase) Chinese made NoName Telecaster Copy. (£79 off eBay) Cheap but does the job. A Boeing Classical, rescued from a skip. A handmade lapsteel some crazy bloke gave me.

I have 3 bass guitars. A handmade Precision that the wife bought for me (Cost unknown), a Squier Precision I got off a friend for £100 when he needed cash quick. <<< This bass came with a Ampeg BA210 Amp (Which I also still have) and then I have a Hofner Ignition Violin I picked up for around £230. Then I have loads of other bits from over the years. Kala Ukulele (£119) - Boston Mandolin (£89)

The turntables are Soundlab DLP3R's. I've had them for years and keep them for nostalgia more than anything. They get used every once in a while.

That's me

 

[WillyC]

This is great, you guys, thanks so much for your responses. I'm loving the pictures too! Keep 'em coming

I guess some of my questions are pretty vague - I was trying to make it as specific as possible! As for process, I'm interested in what you guys do to set things up. So for instance for me the first thing I do is collect everything together and plug it all in because I don't have a dedicated space set up, but I guess a lot of you have a whole room just for recording? Do you have to move things around for better acoustics? If there is one thing you ended up doing that you wish you'd done earlier what is it?

 

[Mr Clean]

The only things I plug in are my instruments and mics. I don't really have to move much from the chair. Everything is within reach, apart from the guitars in cases. I planned ahead with my desk build, making spade for 19" rack gear should I ever start purchasing.

I close mic mostly to drown the sound of the room, although it's not actually a bad room for saying it's a cube. It's quite full, with dense objects that help a lot. I have an acoustic screen also which deadens vocals nicely.

If I had to set everything up every time, I would probably give up or go the standalone recorder route. I don't have a lot but wiring it all up every other day would be tedious.

 

[mixsit]

Mostly my two rooms stay mainly set up- the recording gear, the main partions etc, my amp and wifie's bass amp ('muso mate thing.. works!
Then things get 'customized given whatever's going on of course. One PITA is the switching from 'recording, or rehersals.. and pa gigs.. Ack! (Trying to keep (or get) them two into sepparate rigs' as much as possible so it isn't quite the 'gutting of the in house stuff to do an outside gig. That helps.

 

[miroslav]

This thread looks like some of the essay exams from back in high-school.

Hey Willy...the questions you are asking have been asked (and answered) TO DEATH on this website and most other audio/music websites.
Take some time and so some research...it's all here for the taking.

 

[Xdrummer]

1. The last time you recorded anything at home, what was your process? (Can you break it down into specific steps?)
   Once I've written a song and finalized the basic song structure - I enter the chord pattern into a software program call "Band In A Box" which gives me a "band groove" to work with. I import that into Sonar and then record a scratch vocal/guitar part. From then I start to record guitar track, then bass, then drums, then keys, then any string/pads/horns, then lead vocal and lastly harmony vocals - by the time I'm done, none of the Band In A Box tracks remain
   
2. What problems did you encounter and what measures did you take to solve these problems?
   I've been doing this awhile, so I rarely encounter problems - probably the main problems are tracks I record early in the process (in particular guitar) may not work (or the tone may not be right) as I lay down other tracks - so I may have to delete and record different parts
   
3. How successful were those measures?
   Works to my satisfaction
   
4. Have you ever recorded anything in a recording studio?
   I assume this is meant to ask if we've recorded in a commercial studio. I did many years ago either when I was in bands or when I first started to write - and home recording was not available - but other than doing some sessions as a drummer or on keys, I rarely spend time in commercial studios these days
   
5. If so, the last time you did, at what point did you transition from home recording to the studio?
   Not sure what you're asking
   
6. What advantages were you after from the change to the studio and why can't you get them at home?
   There are many advantages to a commercial studio - better gear, better acoustic setting, more qualified engineer, etc. - but that all comes at a cost
   
7. What does your recording space look like at home?
   I've got a large room build in my basement - the main area serves as the control room and also houses my electronic drums, keyboards, etc. - I then have an "isolation" room which I use to track vocals and record guitar amp/cabs
   
8. What recording equipment do you have and how much did each piece cost?

Waaaay too much to list - I have several thousand dollars in mics, pres, processing equipment, and instruments

 

[JimmyS1969]

8 questions in one post, 15 replies, one response from OP. I am kinda scared to answer. Expecting a site to spam all of my email addresses as soon as I respond with my answers...

lol

Seriously, these are pertinent questions, but not sure I want to give you my address and gear list before you have at least posted some other stuff on this forum. Surely, my two killer dogs and attack baby will take you out after the security system and the booby traps take you down if you were a corrupt spammer/thief. lol

All kidding aside, I would like to hear more from you before I start spouting of numbers and more insight. How about some information about your personal experience and gear you have now?

Really, I am just kidding in a way. I wasted a bunch of money in real studios. Now I waste my own money which I consider money well spent.

Your questions are quite specific to a personal situation as obviously you must have had. Please elaborate.

Questions #7 and 8 really seem like you are casing the joint... That puts me off a bit.

By the way, my baby is not the one that will attack. My surveillance system and the crazy ex Marine next door that watches over us in a kinda freakish way, is my security here.

Not kidding.


Give us some more insight into what you plan to do and why you are asking these questions. Many of us are here to help in any way possible.

 

[Xdrummer]

My surveillance system and the crazy ex Marine next door that watches over us in a kinda freakish way, is my security here.

Your point about a surveillance system is actually an important point. Many of us have invested a lot of cash into gear - and while most may record only for themselves, many bring in bands (I don't record bands, but I do record singer/songwriters - and I act as the band/producer/engineer, etc.). I also bring in vocalists and the occasional musician to pay parts that I simply cannot cover. I try to be very selective about who I actually invite into my home ....... but the nature of home studios may not allow that level of discretion for many on this site.

Since my studio is in my home, I decided long ago I needed to take certain precautions. In addition to the basic security (dead bolt locks, etc.) I have a professionally installed security system, with both local alarms and remote monitoring. I also purchase "professional" commercial property insurance on my gear and commercial liability (in case someone is injured while involved in my studio).

I don't have marine next door, but I live in a relatively exclusive condo development and almost all my neighbors are retires, home all day and more than a little observant about who comes and goes - they may not personally try to stop someone ....... but they would likely be dialing 911 in the blink of an eye.

 

[JimmyS1969]

I do record bands. Only ones that I have had experience with in the past so far. Even then, I had one thing stolen from me. Mind you, I do mostly hard rock. Some member or friend of a band that I was recording, had the audacity to swap out my decent acoustic guitar for a completely useless crap one. That took planning to actually bring another one over. I didn't notice for 5 months or so. I know exactly which band/friend of band did it, but I cannot prove it as this was before I started recording with my security cameras. So I can't honestly point the finger. The band will never record here again because of this however.

In the end, we can't trust everyone-even if they are someone we think are friends...

Yeah, sometimes the best security (other than alarm system and killer dog) is those around you. I have all of those, but still a need to regulate who comes into the studio. Some people just suck... I suppose that is just the way some assholes are.