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.