tracking a blue grass band. need advice.

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koskesh

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i'm taking on a small recording project as a favor for my friends band and really want it to sound nice. I have the gear and a decent sounding room so i'd like to put that conversation aside for later. The band consists of drums, stand up bass, fiddle, acoustic guitar, banjo, lead vocals, and then pretty much everyone doing back up vocals here and there.

My question is whats the best way to go about tracking? Here's what I was thinking sounded best but I want to hear what you guys think...

One scratch track (probably stereo nt3s) of the whole room/band playing together and then overdubbing each part until i have each instrument separately tracked. Then do lead vocals separate and then do back up vocals all on one track. This is my first time recording this large of a group so I'm really not sure what the most efficient and effective way to do it is. Also I should mention this is their first time recording anything.

Any input or advice is greatly appreciated.
 
If they're capable of pulling it off live I'd record them all together. You'll need a good selection of mics and enough inputs.
 
Bluegrass is kinda like jazz where alot of the instrumentalists feed off of each other for energy, continuity and especially timing. however with drums in the mix, it does make things a little more complicated for live recording. Especially with the setup you have described. I probably would track individually and have them play off a scratch track. Drums first, then either bass or rhythm guitar. With bluegrass timing is CRUCIAL. Since you won't be recording live, timing can get off much easier. You will really need to watch this closely.
 
My vote would be for a live recording. Take what I am about to say with a grain of salt. I like minimalistic recording scenarios, so it may not be for you.

3-4 Mics for the drums (overheads: maybe Glyn Johns or Recorderman and a kick. You could add a snare too.)

With some seperation sonically put the rest of the band into a semi-circle. Get a stero pair set up: maybe spaced pair or MS. Ribbon mics would shine here I think. You may want to spot record the double bass to bump it up a bit in the mix. Have one or two "solo" mics for when the memebers take their solos. And have a lead vocal mic.

So at max (with my thought process) you've got 10 mics. (4 for drums, 2 for stero, 2 for solos, 1 for bass, and 1 for lead vox.)

My prefference, however, would be to put an MS pair of ribbon mics in the middle of the semi cirlcle and have them do it the old school way. Move closer to the mic for solos and further away for group playing.

This type of music is ALL ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE so the less close micing the better IMO.

Just my $.02

and I'm no PRO btw.
 
I've recorded two albums for these guys now. The Tillers (new album out now!) på Myspace Music (the first song, George St isn't really typical)
We did a stereo pair of room mics, then two mics on the guitar (soundhole + 12th fret), 2 on the banjo, 2 or three different mics on the standup and one mic for each vocal. We ended up overdubbing stuff like certain leads and harmonica parts. These guys play ALOT and are very tight, so playing together works really well for them.

(PS, I didn't mix either album, and I know some of that stuff has a shitload of reverb on it)
 
Bluegrass is a funny genre... Yeah, the drums raise eyebrows. Hell, I've run into diehards that won't call it Bluegrass if more than one mic is used! Just crowd around the mic stand and play.

Anyway, you're heading down the wrong path as soon as you talk about scratch tracks and overdubs. You really need to work this out where you can get it all live.
 
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