What happens before tracking?

[BBlack]

I don't have separate rooms for my computer and monitors and such and the room where instruments are played, so I've always used headphones while placing the mics. I know they say that you should try to get the best sound possible while tracking, so mixing is easier and more smooth - but do professionals use their monitors in the control room to listen to the sound and move mics before they hit record? I figure that since we shouldn't mix with headphones, we shouldn't do that with them either.

Am I right about this, and if so, what would be a work around for me?

 

[FunkDaddy]

Professionals know where they need to put mics to get the sound they want.

And they have studio bitches/interns to move mics around while they listen if they need to fine tune the placement.

My advice...get a good mic placement, make a note of it for future reference and get to making music.

 

[Lt. Bob]

well first you have to do what's available to you and if that means using phones then that';s what you do.

And it's not asolute that you don't do things with 'phones.
I often mix with headphones (although I have an $800 headphone setup) and I'm no newbie ........ been recording for 40 years and I gig for a living.
And I very often set my mic placement with phones for the same reason you do; my amp's in the same room as me and that's the only choice I have.
I like to run pink noise thru my amps and then move the mic around until the pink noise sounds right to me.

 

[Massive Master]

do professionals use their monitors in the control room to listen to the sound and move mics before they hit record?

Absolutely. It's easily the most vital part of the entire recording process.

I figure that since we shouldn't mix with headphones, we shouldn't do that with them either.

Generally speaking, that is correct. But sometimes you might need to (mobile, location recording, etc.) and that's where raw experience comes in.

Am I right about this, and if so, what would be a work around for me?

There really isn't one. Top down, everyone is limited by their (A) monitoring chain, (B) listening skills and (C) physical recording experience.

There are "ideal" and "non-ideal" ways to do everything.

 

[Lt. Bob]

There are "ideal" and "non-ideal" ways to do everything.

that's it in a nutshell.

Most of us are limited in some way. Either the space we record in or the gear we have ....... you just do the best you can with what's available to you and hope for better situations down the road.

 

[miroslav]

- but do professionals use their monitors in the control room to listen to the sound and move mics before they hit record?

Just keep in mind that most times you’re listening only to a single element when you do that, and NOT how it will sound in the final mix through those monitors with all the other elements that have yet to be recorded (and 'cuz you haven't gotten to the final mix yet).

That approach is more critical if you are tracking an entire band at the same time, because you are then in fact building your mix to a great degree on the spot, while tracking…and you can do that because you are hearing ALL the elements at once and how they interact.

With single tracking...building a mix on track at a time...the most you can do is get stuff in what you think is the best ballpark of where you want your mix to sorta’ end up. You can spend 2 hours moving a mic around ¼” this way, that way for something…then when you start to mix…that “perfect” track just isn’t gelling with all the other “perfect” tracks…
…and then you end up EQ’ing and processing them to make the mix work.

But yeah, it’s good to do that so you get familiar with how the sound changes with various mic positions…and then after awhile, you’ll start simply placing the mic where you know it works for you ‘cuz you’ve heard it before.
And yeah…monitors are better than headphones for final decision making…but sometimes when you’re auditioning a single source, headphones can help you focus in on the sound, especially if you’re listening for specific things/issues.
Often it’s best to start by placing you ears where you think the mike should go…and then listen…though be careful with loud sounds!

 

[BBlack]

Alright everyone, thank you for all your replies, they've all been helpful. I'll have to see what happens.

 

[mixsit]

Just keep in mind that most times you’re listening only to a single element when you do that, and NOT how it will sound in the final mix through those monitors with all the other elements that have yet to be recorded (and 'cuz you haven't gotten to the final mix yet).

That approach is more critical if you are tracking an entire band at the same time, because you are then in fact building your mix to a great degree on the spot, while tracking…and you can do that because you are hearing ALL the elements at once and how they interact.

With single tracking...building a mix on track at a time...the most you can do is get stuff in what you think is the best ballpark of where you want your mix to sorta’ end up. You can spend 2 hours moving a mic around ¼” this way, that way for something…then when you start to mix…that “perfect” track just isn’t gelling with all the other “perfect” tracks…
…and then you end up EQ’ing and processing them to make the mix work.

But yeah, it’s good to do that so you get familiar with how the sound changes with various mic positions…and then after awhile, you’ll start simply placing the mic where you know it works for you ‘cuz you’ve heard it before.
And yeah…monitors are better than headphones for final decision making…but sometimes when you’re auditioning a single source, headphones can help you focus in on the sound, especially if you’re listening for specific things/issues.
Often it’s best to start by placing you ears where you think the mike should go…and then listen…though be careful with loud sounds!

Wow. Spot on.

To this I add only that to those of us that do not have good isolation (rec' room to monitor'), plan .b (or sequence is..), best guess, listen on phones during the take, then hear it for real on the speakers on playback.

Side.. I wish I had more space. Really really wish. I pucker every time a band comes in going 'Oh we can do it all live, no problem..'

Bottom line.. The 'an open window, open doorway, is a damned good acoustic black hole idea- I'd rather be in a pair of open connecting rooms for example, than the box half or a third of that space. I believe that works (as in 'bigger rooms given some amount of limited space) as a plus tracking and in the monitoring environment.

 

[moresound]

I know where to place microphones on just about any instrument including many world instruments, but I also like to listen in a pair of cans while doing mic placement to just double check myself ... I've been surprised more that once!