Scratch Tracks

[Cold Fusion]

I have a question. What is your process for recording? Do you lay down a click then drums so on and so on? Or do you start with click/guitar scratch track with a scratch vocal for reference? OR do you record the song live and then use that as a scratch track to multitrack from?

I am looking to capture an energetic feel so the songs dont sound like they have been sterilized. I find that when my drummer plays to the click he is so focused on the tempo that he doesnt give er like he does when we play live.
Anyone else have this problem?

Any Ideas you can suggest or methods you want to share?

Thanks
CF

 

[thajeremy]

lately, I have been plugging the guitar straight into a mixer, and letting the drummer hear the guitar through headphones. While both the drummer and guitar player play at the same time, I only record the drums. Then, guitars record while listening to drum tracks...usually do vox last....

 

[dobro]

There are different ways to do it.

Because I'm often a one- or two-man band, I often figure out the tempo of the song and put together a click track first. Then I lay down the guitar tracks (I often have guitar backing on my songs). Then I do the vocal. Then I add the rest of the tracks.

But there's actually a better way.

1 Lay down a click and do the guitar track and vocals like I mentioned.

2 Use this as a scratch track for the drummer and bass player to work with so that they can get their tracks recorded.

3 Then listening to the drums and bass, re-record the guitar and vocals. With the extra energy you're listening to when you do the new guitar and vocal tracks, you'll often play/sing in a more inspired way.