Can't perform well in a studio

  • Thread starter Thread starter skim
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You know, sounds funny but I found myself a little refuge in the last recording session.

I had everyone leave the studio. Yep.

It actually happened accidentally when the engineer and I were working, and he had to step out to take a wizz. He armed the tracks, hit record, and told me to go on without him.

I had the most unrestrained take so far.

We tried it a couple more times. Admittedly , I was off pitch more often (more loose in general), but it finally had the emotion I wanted.

Now onto editing.
 
Get focused and comfortable

I agree totally with Dom Franco, you need to become more comfortable with the recording environment and the only way to do this is to be comfortable with your own perfomance. Try and put together a dummy monitoring rig with a set of headphones at home so you can get used to hearing yourself and trusting what you hear. Drugs and booze only make you look and sound unproffessional and that kind of stupidity is bringing the industry down, so never go to a gig or into a studio loaded, people will not take you seriously. When you walk into a studio to lay your tracks, you have to believe that you own the place ( from a performance point of view ) just as if it were a live gig. If you can be prepared, and have a professional attitude when you are in front of the mic, you will get the results you want. Focus on your diction as closely as you can when you practice so that when you do go to record it is already second nature. Get formal vocal training to develop your technique and control if you are not already doing so.

When the job is done right, it's time to go home and get so fucked up that you forget your name and piss in the refrigerator. Hopefully you will have something to celebrate at that point......
 
skim said:
He armed the tracks, hit record, and told me to go on without him.

I had the most unrestrained take so far.

We tried it a couple more times. Admittedly , I was off pitch more often (more loose in general), but it finally had the emotion I wanted.

Now onto editing.
Click to expand...


You might have just identified the problem....

He's not there to hear you, so you feel more comfortable. Kind of like singing in the car on your way to work if you're by yourself...but if you were driving a co-worker with you, you probably wouldn't sing in the car that day. (sorry, corny example) but I know a few people that can't sing in front of 1 person, but if there are 100 people, than they can sing just fine.
Just try to get to know the person recording you better, so you can learn to feel comfortable while he's in there. Don't worry about what he'll "think" about a certain take.... just let loose.
 
To be honest ( and I'm not trying to sound like a dick here, but here goes..) It sounds like you are really insecure about you voice. A little more experience should help this. In the mean time, you might want to consider taking a few singing lessons. Don't take it the wrong way...I'm not saying you can't sing, but a few lessons may make you more confident and comfortable. It might help you relax if you KNOW that you know what you are doing.
...if that fails, I suggest you just take a toke and go with it...it's just rock and roll! I STRONGLY disagree with DIVO....that kind of stupidity is what built this industry! Some of the best albums were done under it influence....hehe. Page has never had a sober day in his life...
All kidding aside, not everyone can handle a toke or drink or two while working in the studio, but I've worked with some pro's (won't get into name dropping here) that have been the first in the room to light up. Just don't get stupid with it.
 
just wanted to let people here know that i had my singer try that dummy mic suggestion and it really worked. it really helped her relax and get into her vocals the way she does live.
 
Try rehearsing in an atmosphere that is more like the recording atmosphere. Wear headphones, leave your mic on the stand, record your practices on a boom box. It's partially just a matter of getting used to a new way of doing things.

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Everyone who has recommended "taking a drink" should be ashamed of themselves. Here's someone who's asking a question, who tells you that they gave up drinking 2 years ago, and you're telling them to fall off the wagon?!?!?

Don't rely on external influences to help you get over this. This is an internal thing. If you're capable of good performances live, and not in the studio, then the issue here is psychology, pure and simple. So you can do one of two things: trick yourself, or train yourself.

There have been some good suggestions regarding tricking yourself, and if that helps, then great!

If you're looking to make a career out of this, I'd suggest training yourself. Keep going into the studio, over and over again, until you can look at it, and say "I'm comfortable here". Keep recording again and again, until you can say "I enjoy this process". Keep criticizing yourself again and again, until you can say "I'm happy with the takes I'm giving". Then, look back at where you came from, smile, and laugh. It takes time, but it's well worth it.

-mg
 
I never said he should have a drink or two. I said TOKE or two.
<ZZZZZZZZZZ#~~~~~~
 
Dont think about it just sing out really loud, because when you think your singer normal in the studio its usually quiet but if you sing out really loud to you it's probably normal, just dont hold your voice, back, I tried some vocals they suck i was a horrible singer i tried what i just typed, and it still sucked but it was alot alot alot better. so yeah have fun
 
I remember reading somewhere that Hendrix was very insecure about doing vocals, so he would have the lights dimmed in the studio, and would hide behind a gobo so he couldn't be seen by, or see, the engineer behind the glass, that way, he could put on the cans, close his eyes, and sing for the song.
 
Strryder said:
I remember reading somewhere that Hendrix was very insecure about doing vocals, so he would have the lights dimmed in the studio, and would hide behind a gobo so he couldn't be seen by, or see, the engineer behind the glass, that way, he could put on the cans, close his eyes, and sing for the song.
Click to expand...

...I know I'm gonna get bashed for this, but...
...that is because he sucked! One of the MOST over rated artist of all time. He was a great showman...that's it... couldn't sing, and was NOT a GREAT guitar player.

Anyway....
...Ace from Kiss use to lay on his back so no one in the control both could see him sing. But again, this goes back to the insecure thing......TAKE SOME LESSONS. It will greatly improve your confidence.
 
Re: Not to sound like I know what I'm doing but...

Johnboy Walton said:
In a home studio with no 'Red' lights, it works really well.

Click to expand...

I will have to respectfully disagree with that statement. Whenever I push the record button in my home studio, many times I give a worse performance than when I knew I wasn't recording.

~Daniel
 
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