Recording the Chorus

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Bugz McNair

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Disregarding instances where the chorus may change, even slightly; Do you guys typically record the chorus once, and use it over? Or do you rerecord the chorus where necessary?

I've done both, but I think I like duplicating the best take the most. It brings a consistency that I prefer to have on my songs.

However, I will typically alter the chorus a bit, as the song progresses.
 
I usually record 3 passes of the whole vocal...and comp from there.

If only one chorus section really kills...and the others are all "so-so"...I'll use the over as needed.
However, if the other chorus sections are equally good, just slightly different...I prefer to use them all, as that's what gives the song some more natural feel.
But you know...if the chorus is real simple/short, like "baby, baby, I love you"...it's not going to matter much.
Often on a lot of my songs the choruses are all different, not the same thing repeating throughout the song, so that affects how I can comp the vocal.
 
It might work ok for the background parts, but I think repeating a lead part - chorus or not - takes away from the *real* feel of a vocal.
 
Depends on the song, but if I get a rhythm take I like and it copy-paste's cleanly, I'll usually use it whatever section it is, especially if I'm still writing the song as I record so it's easier to jive with the arrangement and figure out what I want to do with my verses, chorus and/or bridge (or God help us all...guitar solo).

Agreed with Mike B on the lead parts though.

I also always try to get a single take bass run through the song though to glue everything together, even if it's just a demo.
 
The first time I was ever even aware of such a thing was when I read about how Phil Spector extended the Beatle song "I Me mine" from one minute something to two minutes something by editing the second verse and chorus onto the end of the original second chorus. I would never have known had I not read it. Never thought, and still don't, that it was sterile or samey sounding.
But like many people, though I thought it made for interesting reading and was fascinating, I would never have dreamed of that kind of copy pasting.
But age has mellowed me. I still wouldn't do it !
I always just get myself or whoever is singing to sing them as they come. It's no big deal, to be honest. It's no longer for reasons of purity or authenticity or honesty or whatever. For starters, it's quicker !
However, I'm the opposite when it comes to, say, the drums. Sometimes, one chorus or verse or middle 8 or part may just contain a feel I don't like or may not be dynamic or fizzing enough or may be missing an intensity that another verse/chorus/part had. Whatever it may be, I'll take a section from somewhere else and paste it over the part I don't like and maybe "b-boof" the kick or throw in a cymbal crash just to make it different. It's easier, I suspect, with instruments and backing vocals than it may be with a lead vocal.
 
Never thought, and still don't, that it was sterile or samey sounding.

When people listen to a song, they are not listening to it as "documentation" of what/how was done during the production...
...they listen to it as music, and are usually only picking up on the overall vibe...in most cases.

Maybe if someone really focused hard, they might notice that X part at the beginning of a song is the same one as X part 3/4 of the way into the song, but I doubt it. You would have to repeat it a lot of times in succession for people to pick up on that, which is why rigid, sequenced drums often stand out if you keep hearing the same snare sound over and over and over....

It really depends on the song and how well the comping is done...how well it blends with and is masked by the other tracks...IMHO.
 
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