How Many Tracks????

[bhefner88]

Something that I do when I record in order to promote higher quality songs is record the different parts of individual guitar tracks separately within the same track, so I'll lay down a riff and then cut the recording and either create another track or punch into the same track if timing allows and go to the next part, so sometimes a basic song will have 4 or five guitar tracks that aren't layered, but exist because of the way that I'm recording.

I was just wondering if this is typical in recording of if the guitarists will generally play through the song until they make a mistake? Do the best guitarists like John Frusciante, Jack White, etc just play straight through or do they record in increments as well?

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

Recording in sections/increments is very common. You can hear it on records where the final note of the chorus will fade into the verse or the tail of some of the verse will be in the chorus. Then there's just the ease of recording things separately. If the song calls for it, though, you might record it all at once. It just depends on what is easier for you. As far as recording it on separate tracks...that's a work flow thing. Again, whatever works for you is BEST. If that's what works for you while keeping you in the groove, do it that way. You can always clean up later if you so desire.

 

[Fruity Loops]

It's a common misconception that the "greats" never comped tracks. Live you can get away with certain musical "imperfections" but in the studio it's not so easy. These days in the world of digital recording where everything is so clean it's even harder. Everything is so "quantized". The age of digital also makes it easier for us to be creative with layering things that weren't possible with analog gear.

You have to find your own method that sounds the most natural.

 

[ranjam]

.....I was just wondering if this is typical in recording of if the guitarists will generally play through the song until they make a mistake? Do the best guitarists like John Frusciante, Jack White, etc just play straight through or do they record in increments as well?

Make up your mind; are you asking about the best guitarists, or are you asking about John Fusciante and Jack White? Seriously, I do it all the time. Record four or five guitar tracks with the same guitar and amp (and on the same 'session' so it all sounds the same), and cut and paste your way to an awesome solo. If I make a mistake (which is often), I just keep going, and know I'll fix it later. If it was all tracked with the same set up, the editing is seamless, and sounds quite convincing. Or I've punched in with completely different tunings, to make a track that sounds like I am doing some crazy stretches to get some mind boggling chords. There are so many 'tricks' thanks to digital, that there is no reason not to be creative and have some crazy guitar tracks at the end of the day.

 

[bhefner88]

Hey thanks for those answers guys, really enlightening.