Click Tracks

[markert]

Wondering how many people record while listening to click tracks. As a drummer, this drives me crazy, but i usually monitor a high hat click while recording. Also I was wondering what instruments are recorded first. I used to do the drums first, to the click, while trying to remember the song arrangement in my head. Now I find it is better to give the guitarist or key player a drum loop to record by and then record my drum tracks later. I am recording a demo for a band next week and I think I am going have them cut drums and bass at the same time; the drums mic'd and the bass direct with a feed to the drummer.

Oh well, just curious as to what recording order makes the most sense.

Thanks

 

[Tom Hicks]

Having the singer lay down a scratch vocal will help you keep your place and hit the cues to the various sections of the song at the right time.It's still better to have the drums down first and let the other guys sync to you.
My drummer goes nuts playing to a click track.I think its a psychology thing because drummers lead the beat instinctively and aren't so used to being lead by the beat.
If you have enough tracks to do it,a "rhythm bed" of drums bass and rhythm guitar all recorded in one take is a common way to get the basic skeleton of the song down.Then come back with lead vocal,harmonies,solos,etc.
Tom

 

[Auerole]

i always have the band play along with the drummer via a monitor mix: usually bass, vocals, and a guitar...as well as the occasional guy who says, "okay remember we moved the chorus right here instead," etc. in my opinion it helps the drummer feel more comfortable than he would if he was only hearing a "clank clank" in his ears. plus he'll forget that everyone is scrutinizing over every detail of his performance.

drummers and vocalists always get made fun of the most in the control room.
auerole.

 

[mojovoodoo]

not only in the control room

how can you tell when a drummers at your door?.............?

the knock speeds up(my drummer actually told me a better one ,i forgot,something about not knowing when to come in?)


how many lead singers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

actually,they just stand still and the whole world revolves around them and screws in the lightbulb!

alright i'm a guitar player,one more..

how many guitar players does it take to screw in a light bulb?.....

one to do it,with a dozen others to sit around and say,"i could do that!"

ok i am just spewing,one trick that i learned is to set the click track(other than an easier to digest sound)is to set it to eighth or quarter notes.for some reason it feels a lot more comfortable for drummers to play along with a tickitytackity than a tic tic tic.if you have a means of changing the value of the click note try it it really helps.with sync'ing,i got plenty o' ideas,i done done it so much,although drums be the last instrument i learned.it's a breeze to do it with the bass player,exactly as described,eye contact,head nods the whole thing with communication takes away guess work.and it's lonely on that throne with a cold click and the other bandmates looking at you,huh?