Country Albums to mix to?

[BurnBarfield]

I've never mixed country.. And I know it will be a difficult thing to do, but a band wants to set up some session time with me, and would like to know some basic country albums to use as references.. I am going to buy about three albums to use for this project...

 

[Joseph Hanna]

Look for something produced/mixed by Tony Brown and or Chuck Ainley. You'll get the idea..

 

[Dani Pace]

Country music has a lot of variety to it, older (classic) country is very different from modern country. Just apply the same ideas as you would to any style of music, capture the sound(s) as clocely as possible to the way they sound live. One difference is that country guitarists tend to push a little more treble and reverb, otherwise it's largely the same as rock.

 

[AGCurry]

Country music has a lot of variety to it, older (classic) country is very different from modern country.

Absolutely. You really need to determine what influences this group loves. Vince Gill and Eddy Arnold are both great but they're light years apart.

 

[Joseph Hanna]

Absolutely. You really need to determine what influences this group loves. Vince Gill and Eddy Arnold are both great but they're light years apart.

Yep all true but I would guess to capture the sound of an Eddy Arnold recording would require equipment and a methodology that's been gone for years and years.

There is a contemporary, consistent sound coming out of Nashville and personally I think it sonically rivals anything happening. Of course that only flies if one can get past the "mold" that Clear Channel has insisted the market supports.

I'd have to disagree with the statement (One difference is that country guitarists tend to push a little more treble and reverb, otherwise it's largely the same as rock.)

The treble and reverb thing not withstanding I'd submit from the conception of a song through it being sold to the recording to the AR marketing to the controlling factors of air play there is NOTHING the same as rock.

I'll say again...Tony Brown and Chuck Ainley are the current kings of contemporary country mixes. If one is looking for a reference (and it is a GREAT idea) listen to their stuff.

 

[AGCurry]

Yep all true but I would guess to capture the sound of an Eddy Arnold recording would require equipment and a methodology that's been gone for years and years.

Well, I'm not sure I agree. Yes, you're probably not going to have access to 3-track tube consoles. But if this group loves records by, say, the Louvin Brothers, you can still record them all playing together with a couple of ribbon mics... this is undoubtedly easier than trying to mimic a modern Nashville style!

 

[Joseph Hanna]

But if this group loves records by, say, the Louvin Brothers, you can still record them all playing together with a couple of ribbon mics...

I'll assume that the Louyin Brothers recorded an entire CD using only a couple of ribbon mics.

So..... in the event another group would want to follow that unique method of production I'd have to agree with you.

this is undoubtedly easier than trying to mimic a modern Nashville style!

I've also gotta assume the Louyin Brothers style and talent would support such a decision by their record label. Sticking a couple ribbon mic's up in a room with average musicians would be a disaster of Titanic proportions.

 

[AGCurry]

The Louvin Brothers made their records in the 50s and 60s at RCA in Nashville, with Chet Atkins producing - as did dozens of other artists. Their 50s recordings are monaural but excellent in every way - very "organic". Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums, upright bass, and vocals, all recorded together. If a band wants a sound like that - which I love - it will be better achieved by recording in a similar way. That's my point.

 

[Joseph Hanna]

The Louvin Brothers made their records in the 50s and 60s at RCA in Nashville, with Chet Atkins producing - as did dozens of other artists. Their 50s recordings are monaural but excellent in every way - very "organic". Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums, upright bass, and vocals, all recorded together. If a band wants a sound like that - which I love - it will be better achieved by recording in a similar way. That's my point.

Yes with out question some fabulous work coming from ltttle javalina through out the last several decades. Just no getting around that romantic americana sound. I understood your point and am familar with the studio having work there some years ago.

My point again is...this type of recording can be a ginormous disaster unless the TALENT of the band can support that type of recording. I'd put my money in the Nickle Creek basket but (and I am assuming a bit) I'd doubt a band off the street wanting to do a demo would have the where with all to pull that kind of project together.