Road Rally Notes

[nomiyah]

Michael posted awhile back asking if some of us could share on the forum for those who didn't get to go. I only took notes on things I was personally interested in remembering, what I left out could fill a library. But maybe someone can pick up something useful from my scribbled notes. I'll post a few at a time.HOME RECORDING BOOT CAMPRonan Chris MurphyRonan is a producer who has worked with King Crimson and many others. My notes: Don't sound mediocre like a bunch of midi tracks made by one guy in their bedroom. One way to make it sound high quality instead of like a demo is to add real instrument tracks on top of the midi. Use a real shaker, tambourine, cymbal or highhat. Get one real string player to do a couple of tracks over synth strings. Or use an unusual signature sound like a toy piano. Any acoustic track will add air to midi sequences.Great producers need people to count on that are really great. Don't do it all yourself, get people on recording who are really great at their instrument. Get best ingredients for each instrument and mix, a strong team makes a great recording.Match the vocal to the mic. Even with the best mics available, still uses mostly Shure SM57 and SM58. Solid state preamps can be better than tubes. On a budget, spend more money on a good mic, that's more important than a good preamp. A good converter is important.Better not to use compression while recording a track unless you really know how to make it sound great. Pro's usually do compress going in but if it's not right don't do it.If equipment is humming, try connecting everything through one outlet.Never heard a reverb plug-in that sounds as good as an outboard reverb.Constantly listen to other people's CDs on studio monitors to compare.Don't use subwoofers while mixing (except occaisionally). Can cause crossover unless it fits acoustic room treatment.The 808 kick rattles at 60 Hz.Don't put too many effects in mix on vocals. Dry vocals sound more current. The easiest way to date a recording is the reverb and where the kick and snare sit in the mix. For reverb, delay, compression and EQ, the idea is sprinkle, don't douse. During mixing, add tons of compression. Majority of hit songs use analog outboard compression.When you get to number 9 on the charts, it's such a great feeling. When you get number 2, it's such a failure.RED=BADNever go into the red while recording.Most tracks should be recorded mono, except overhead drums and certain instruments (string sections, some keys).Sometimes double-tracking can mask a good track. Don't overdo it.

[ragani]

Dear Nomi,Thanks for the great post! I missed Ronan's workshop, and it was nice to read your notes. Nice to find I'm not too far off-base too! I was fortunate to connect with Ronan at my first Rally three years ago-- he does some really solid work, and he's got some advice. And this year when I saw him in the booth area, I was thrilled that he immediately remembered my name (not an easy recall!) AND my music albums! Okay... now you've inspired me. I'm going to go pull out some of my notes here. The Rally was loaded with great workshops this year, and you're right, what we didn't write down could fill a library. It was like music immersion for an entire weekend, with a smorgasbord of tasty workshops, meetings, and networking opportunities! Raags

[nomiyah]

Quote:Dear Nomi,Thanks for the great post! I missed Ronan's workshop, and it was nice to read your notes. Nice to find I'm not too far off-base too! I was fortunate to connect with Ronan at my first Rally three years ago-- he does some really solid work, and he's got some advice. And this year when I saw him in the booth area, I was thrilled that he immediately remembered my name (not an easy recall!) AND my music albums! Okay... now you've inspired me. I'm going to go pull out some of my notes here. The Rally was loaded with great workshops this year, and you're right, what we didn't write down could fill a library. It was like music immersion for an entire weekend, with a smorgasbord of tasty workshops, meetings, and networking opportunities! RaagsRaags,Thanks for reading and replying. One thing I really liked about the Road Rally was that many of the panelists had tables in the book selling room. They were all so gracious with their time and information. Ronan gave me answers to some questions I didn't ask in his class since they didn't relate to the subject. He was open to listening to my goals and telling me specific ideas for achieving them. Very great guy and he gave a good lecture (Taxi, please ask Ronan back next year).Nomi

[Casey H]

You know what would be cool? If someone who went to the rally this year (or anyone here who just works their ass off getting better every day) has such a successful 2008 that they are invited to be a panelist for 2008's rally.My holiday wish for ALL... Casey

[tedsingingfox]

wooHOO!Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting THESE, Miss Nomi. This class was one of my FAVORITES all weekend (and I don't even WRITE a/c...HOT a/c music). Robin had SO much information that could be transferred over to ANY genre of songwriting. I'll sit in on ANY class she offers next year.I felt like I had taken GREAT notes during that class, but because I am a GENIUS , in my effort to lighten my suitcase on the way home, I decided to leave my pre-Rally print out behind, not remembering that I had taken 90% of my class notes on the backs of it (because I left another notebook at home in an effort to lighten my suitcase on the way to the Rally...SEE?...Genius! ).We love you, Nomi, oh, yes we do...

[matto]

Hey Nomi,thanks for doing this, it's really helpful...now it kind of irks me that I had to miss so many classes... Robin's class sounds brilliant, I hope they bring it back next year.

[ragani]

Quote:Writing up is cowriting with someone who has had more success than you. Successful songwriters have to come up with ideas all the time and will have used most of theirs up. It's harder to come up with a new idea than to craft a song. If writing up, come in with some ideas.That one is great-- missed that one! Raags

[hummingbird]

Quote:Doing work on spec means: do the work and spec nothing.

[anne]

Nomi - INCREDIBLE JOB! I was at a couple of those classes as well, and your notes are much much better than mine. Thank you so much for posting these!

[liamkelly]

Excellent stuff, Nomi. Thanks very much for posting these Liam