Percussion first?

  • Thread starter Thread starter themusicblogger
  • Start date Start date
T

themusicblogger

New member
Do you guys record percussion first, or lead guitar first? What are the general 'steps' you take when recording?
 
The drums would usually be recorded first because then the other instruments can be played in time with the drums. The drummer will usually start off playing to a click track to help him/her keep in time. For a standard band the bass would be next then rhythm guitars and keyboards. Lead guitar and vocals will usually be left till last. But you can record however you want though.
 
The drums would usually be recorded first because then the other instruments can be played in time with the drums. The drummer will usually start off playing to a click track to help him/her keep in time. For a standard band the bass would be next then rhythm guitars and keyboards. Lead guitar and vocals will usually be left till last. But you can record however you want though.

That pretty much sums up what probably 90% of people do. It's time-tested and it works. Having said that, I record everything to a click track (a simple drum machine beat, actually), and then I do my drums last.
 
i also used to do a click track then a scratch guitar to flesh out the tune. then i would do drums. that was when i had a drumset

now i program drums and bass and work from there
 
but if possible, to me, i always record as much at the same time as i can.

it saves time, and you get what you know is a live and real performance.

obviously if theres only one of you this is impossible :D

but im talking bands here
 
Generally I have always recorded guitar rhythm first...never to a click. But I got some loops from a magazine and so I have done a song where I laid out the drums first. Made things a bit easier.
 
is the percussion integral to the song? for instance, the shaker and percussion in Sympathy for the Devil. in that case, yes, percussion comes first.

mostly it's about setting the groove--and if you can best set the groove by recording percussion first, by all means do it.

i try to record bands "live" and overdub/fix as needed. when it's just me, it's a rhythm guitar to a click (or midi drumbeat), then bass, then drums, then sometimes bass again, then everything else.


cheers,
wade
 
For me drums first, then develop some riffs to go with the drum groove
 
I record the band together with guitars and bass direct and everybody wearing cans. I then come back and lay the guitar and bass down again. This thickens it up a lot. Then lead and vocals. Usually works well.
 
but if possible, to me, i always record as much at the same time as i can.

it saves time, and you get what you know is a live and real performance.

obviously if theres only one of you this is impossible :D

but im talking bands here

Agreed. I'm still relatively new to this, but I like the sound of a live performance where you can actually feel the groove the band is in, even if it takes a few takes to get the 'keeper'. Of course it is up to the band to rehearse properly beforehand to avoid 50+ takes to accomplish!:D Overdub as needed afterwards. When I'm recording by myself though, I do the scratch guitar track to a click and record drums later. (usually recorded for my own enjoyment though :p )
 
keeping time

If your timing sucks then use click if it does not suck then record anything first.

Somtimes just laying vocals down first can bring a new approach to a tune

there are no rules as to what goes down first, studios have a way of working to get things done quick but this does not apply at home if you have the time.

:cool:
 
I record drums bass and gtr at the same time along with scratch vocals. At the very least it is important for most people to have a good solid drum track for timing and most importantly dynamics.
 
Back
Top