Your Recording Sequence Method?

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 7 Nov 2003 8:23 pm

What is your favored method of recording instrumentals in a studio?......
Steel track/click track, then add the other instrument tracks one at a time and then recut your steel tracks?
Record the whole band then everyone dub?
What methods are quicker/better quality/more inspiring/etc?
Anyone know Lloyd's and Buddy's prefered process ??
Thanks
Dennis

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 7 Nov 2003 10:19 pm

Dennis,
I have not a clue what others do. I like to record my own rhythm tracks for practicing steel. I also record our band's stuff live, but these are two very different processes for me.
Steel tracks:
I use a Yamaha aw2816 DAW. I start with a Roland drum machine, an acoustic guitar, and a vocal mic. I sing, hum, whistle the tune, while playing guitar. Now I have 3 tracks.
Next I add the bass.
Next I add some piano fills.
Sometimes I'll play a high strung guitar rhythm part.
Next I mix it down to stereo and use it to practice with. I keep all the tracks in case I want to record the steel also.

A couple of tricks that help me: I synchronize the drum machine and the recorder. My recorder will then display measures, instead of time. This makes it easier to find your way around. HAving the vocal track is handy, because I can do a countdown, use the chorus and verses to keep track of where I am.

Hope this helps.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 8 Nov 2003 8:30 am

I'm very similar to Ron..even use an AW2816 !

I chart the tune, chart each track..make notes where the fills are for each Instrument..in this manner I will not have Instruments on top of each other..I do have defined spaces to play Steel or Tele'.

I start with the drum track..then a very simplistic rhythm guitar track..then the Bass track..then the appropriate rhythm track or tracks..

Then generally a demo vocal or Lead Line.

From here it's a toss up if it's Steel or Tele. Usually I play the Steel last..probably 'cause I can't play the parts that I am wanting and need extended practice time.

If it is a vocal tune I do usually get the final vocal tracks completed before the final Steel or Tele'.

This is almost like a job..or maybe worse !

T[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 08 November 2003 at 02:15 PM.]

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 9 Nov 2003 9:08 am

I like to play with the whole band, then go back and redo the steel part if necessary. It's important to have good isolation if you do this.

If I think that the rhythm/tempo will be a challenge, I lay down my MIDI demo first (with click) and put that in the drummer's ear, mixed to his taste. Some drummers are more comfortable with that than with a bare click.

For home recording, I layer up from a MIDI demo, replacing the MIDI parts with real instruments.

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