"I just NEVER have enough time..."

[pablo]

2 words:

WORK SOLOWORK SOLO

It's not only better because of time, but also the idea remains more pure, I hate working on groups...

"I don't realy like that song you wrote"
"We could cut that solo, it's boring"
"I want to sing just that song, I want to show off with my girlfriend"
"What makes you think you're the boss?"

Sick of it all...

 

[DaveO]

On paper that's a good idea, but we're good at taking responsibility for different parts of the songwriting process. He's better at coming up with the basic ideas and building songs around them, but he gets stuck hearing other tracks to go with it. I've done most of the arranging - additional guitar tracks, basss, drum programming, and suggesting tweaks to his framework to take it a step further.

We're a good fit. If I tried to write everything on my own, it would take me a lot longer to do the writing. If he went at it alone, he'd never add the other tracks. Other than a lack of time, it's been a pretty good experience for both of us. It's our first real crack at original material.

 

[crosstudio]

there are so many things i love to do

i love my job (software architect), i love teaching (java programming) part time at the university, i love making music (crosstudio.net), and i love playing football (dominion flag-football club). when the week is over and i look back at what i've accomplished and i see that i was able to do a little of all the things i love to do, i feel good about life.

 

[gregkat]

besides owning a restaurant and having a 10 month old baby, It seems that my only time to record is between 9-11pm. Boy I need to get my priorities straight.

 

[SeanF]

Another problem that I have with time is in the whole recording/re-recording process. I'm sure most of you can empathize with me here: I record an Acoustic Guitar track. The take is almost perfect - however, I've noticed a little bit of string buzz on the third line of the second verse. It's actually nothing, no one's gonna notice, less will care and anyway, I'm really only doing a demo. But of course, the string buzz is buggin' me so I go back and do the take again. Another take and another tiny blemish, so I start again, etc, etc... It's also the same with the other instruments: I should have recorded that electric guitar with just a little less overdrive - I record it again, and it sounds good - but the difference is barely noticeable to anyone but me.

I guess I just want it to be perfect, but I know I could record so much more if I simply limited everyting to one or two takes.

 

[skaltpunk]

time vs motivation

sometimes it the fact that i dont have any time. but sometimes my motivation gets in the way. i just don't feel in the mood to write or record and won't get the best out of the time that i might use. so that's another conflict.

 

[DaveO]

I guess I just want it to be perfect, but I know I could record so much more if I simply limited everyting to one or two takes.

I'd guess that's pretty common. Given the small amount of time I have I'm tending to go with takes takes that best capture what I wanted to play, even if it's not quite perfect. Since I'm not a pro I try not to let it bother me too much. It also let's me make at least some progress once in a while. If I insisted on perfection I'd spend forever trying to get the perfect take.

If your recording medium allows it (such as a PC), keep the extra takes. That way you can always go back to an earlier one if you prefer it. You could also use the multiple takes to fatten up a track and you might find the slight differences in the takes actually enhances the overall sound. Anoter possibility is using the good sections of various takes and editing them into one "great" track.

 

[atomictoyz]

I do everything one hour at a time. I have a 4 person single income family, just kids alone take alot of time. I have a full time job, I go to Church, I spend time with the wife and occasionally I will Mountain Bike.
But I have always set one hour aside to be in my corner, recording whatever or just jamming to a sr-16 preset. I actually try to write good music in that short period of time, and my success is limited for those who actually went to my mp3 site. But when I have headphones on, and the marshall is cranked, I can just hit that G, no 3rd chord in the 1st Pos and hear it go "varoom". Its nice to have a hobby where you can tune out your problems from the day, and not wory about your shoot not opening. Just sit back and enjoy the music, not everyone can appreciate sound like recordists can. Not even the most talented Mastering engineers can experiment like the recordist can, pan all the instruments to the "wrong" part of the field, put 250/500 ms delay on the drums, have your kids sing back up in whatever language a 2 year old speaks. In one hour, once a day, 365 days a year, for nearly 16 years....Ive made time for me and music.

Enjoy :0)

Dennis

 

[et MA]

kids kids kids
day gig
night gigs
practice trumpet
practice keys
practice guitar
record
mix
write
eat
shower
drink drink drink

almost looks like a haiku