Recording order?

[cincy_kid]

Just wondering how some other people do their recording process.

I usually go in this order:

1) Drums - get beat an basic structure down
2) Guitar - again get structure down
3) Bass - this sometimes can go after vocals for me
4) Main Vocals - sing the song
5) Harmony vocals - throw in harmonies
6) effects, sounds, clips, etc...

Id like some other suggestions so I can try different ways.

 

[mshilarious]

Id like some other suggestions so I can try different ways.

I do exactly the same order, but with 1&2 together.

 

[boingoman]

For me, drums first, then it depends after that.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

It all depends on the project/context/what the band is comfortable with.......

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

Myself I do things a little differently:

1.) Depending on the band I sometimes like to record the entire band playing together to get that 'live energy' and then overdub guitars from there. The key to this is seperation of the instruments in different rooms, and usually running the bass direct (or DI and mic'd cab in an iso room).

2.) If I record stuff seperately I will still have the band play as a unit and record only the drums. Then I will always lay down the bass guitar BEFORE the guitar and/or synths so I can get a good feel for the low end.

Keep in mind I like to dial in complimentary sounds. Guitarists will *ALWAYS* dial in too much low end if the bass isn't in the mix. The trick is to get the guitars and bass working together as a solid unit. Without that bass the guitarist will sense a low end deficiency and before you know it the bass is on "11" and sounding like crap.

Just something I noticed and consequently responded too. As BBSound points out, it varies project to project.

 

[Be Loveless]

I do exactly the same order, but with 1&2 together.

Me too. Were all a bunch of sheep.

 

[boingoman]

Me too. Were all a bunch of sheep.

It's just easier to follow the drummer all over the place rather than try to make him keep up!

 

[LemonTree]

looks like the typical home set up. Drums first then the scratch guitar to keep you in place.

My scratch guitar tracks usualy end up being keepers....lucky

Alec

 

[LemonTree]

2.) If I record stuff seperately I will still have the band play as a unit and record only the drums. Then I will always lay down the bass guitar BEFORE the guitar and/or synths so I can get a good feel for the low end.

never split up the rythm section. Get the bass down with the drums whenever you can. Lets you hear the space left for guitars and vocals ans saves a lot of backtracking with EQ

Alec

 

[bennychico11]

I'd say it all depends on the style. Jazz...record them all together since that's how jazz musicians keep the groove. I'd also agree with keeping bass and drums together on other styles.

 

[mshilarious]

I'd also agree with keeping bass and drums together on other styles.

I think bass+drums first is the old style with lead guitar prominent. Most modern music has no lead guitar, so the rhythm guitar gets tracked with the drums. I'd do all three together, but there's only two of us in my studio . . .

Anyway:

1) Guitarists don't listen to bassists;
2) Vocalists only listen to guitarists;
3) Drummers only listen to themselves.

Therefore, it doesn't matter when you track bass; as a bassist, I prefer last.

 

[cincy_kid]

Hehe, thanks for all the replies. Funny thing is when I posted this, I should have mentioned, it is all just me, no band involved. This is just the order I normally do it with myself doing all parts.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

never split up the rythm section. Get the bass down with the drums whenever you can. Lets you hear the space left for guitars and vocals ans saves a lot of backtracking with EQ

Depends on the amount of seperation/isolation I can achieve and whether or not the bass line was a keeper or not.

 

[joekodiak]

For rock songs I always go drums/bass first to get them occupying that sonic space well together. Plus, the drums and bass are supposed to be the tight foundation. Guitars/keys next depending on the song. Voc's last, lead first then backups.

 

[cincy_kid]

HOw do you select the drum loops? Do you actually browse each and every one till you find one you like. Or do you already know what the beat should sound like and you try to find matching ones? I usually do the former, but wondered what the rest of you do?