Recording song: Where/how to start?

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Dunpeal

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We are currently trying to record some songs. The band consists of Song, 2xGuitarrs, bass and drums.


In our first song we all played and recorded all tracks simultainiously. Then, we re-recorded track after track starting with the drums. However, I feel that this method don't suite us very well since were having trouble keeping a steady pace in the "template".


So another method came to mind, what if I added a MIDI track with the beats... ticks... (don't know the correct term) so that the drummer can play to that. Then add bass, guitarrs etc. I'm going to discuss this with the drummer next time I see him.


Am I way off here? What is the usual way to go about this?
 
Dunpeal said:
We are currently trying to record some songs. The band consists of Song, 2xGuitarrs, bass and drums.


In our first song we all played and recorded all tracks simultainiously. Then, we re-recorded track after track starting with the drums. However, I feel that this method don't suite us very well since were having trouble keeping a steady pace in the "template".


So another method came to mind, what if I added a MIDI track with the beats... ticks... (don't know the correct term) so that the drummer can play to that. Then add bass, guitarrs etc. I'm going to discuss this with the drummer next time I see him.


Am I way off here? What is the usual way to go about this?
Click to expand...

It's called a click track and IMO is the way to go. If you record the bass direct, the bass and drums can be tracked at the same time.
 
It's pretty standard to record with a 'click track'. A common way is to have the whole band play at once to the click and record each member to their own track. Then go back and replace everything part by part and add the extra stuff.
 
a follow-on

If you are using mics on the bass and other instruments you can still track them at the same time; however, isolation will be an issue.
 
Thanks for the replies! Definitly trying out the click track method asap.

The only things miced are drums and song due to issues with the room (and terrible mices).
 
Click tracks can help your drummer keep tempo, but be careful. Many drummers lose feel if they're too worried about a click track. I advise you to give it a try, but be honest about losing the feel. Also, many songs benefit from slight tempo changes when going from verse to chorus, something you can achieve with a modest drum machine running the click track, but then you need to count in the tune and keep your pointers straight.

A bit of a hint for click tracks: Don't just use the standard sticks hitting each other sound from a drum machine. That can easily get lost for the drummer, who can't easily tell if he (or she) is ahead on the flam or behind. Instead, I recommend going with percussives that have a lot of high-end and some give in them, so they will sound quite separate from what the drummer is playing. Try a tambourine, or maracas.

Make sure the drummer likes the sound of his/her drums in the phones as well. If they can't hear themselves sounding good, it will adversely affect their playing.

So, use a click track, but be careful not to lose the all-important groove, which ultimately is more important than your metronomic adherence.
 
YET ANOTHER WAY to try it (To preserve the "Feel" OR have the drummer comfortable with the click) is to A: Use a midi track Or B: Use a Tape (even a boombox) version of the song that you all like AND that has a count in..., THEN let the DRUMMER listen to that in headphones while you're RECORDING HIM making the new click.

The idea is he'll count in outloud ( "Two three four!" or whatever) THEN bang out his own click track on like a cowbell (Something that will cut thru) that way when you're done he'll be playing and reacting to his own playing. (Which MAY help him "Feel it.)

You can ALSO have the bass player in a headphone mix so they are reacting to each other while reacting to the reference click (Tape or Midi) WHILE recording a new one... (which MIGHT help keep the changes in order and also get the rythem section tied into the whole click mindset as one unit. )

:)
 
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