Overdubbing Sessions
After
you have recorded the drum tracks for the songs you are doing, the overdubbing
process starts. This consists of the other members re-recording their
part with more attention to detail and perfection than was on their
"scratch" track (the original track). We usually keep all
the scratch tracks for you to decide. 99% of musicians do decide to
overdub. One of the main differences in the overdubbing process is choice
of rooms. Your amp's speaker will always be in the big room. You the
artist, can decide to play in the control room. Most professionals far
prefer to be in the booth with the mixing board close at hand. There
are many reasons for this. One of the main reasons is -- no headphone
mix! It is easier to hear the drums going through larger speakers. We
usually run your amp in the control room with a special speaker wire
running out to the big room to the speaker cabinet.
Preparing for an overdub session. Overdub
sessions start with the bass guitar being recorded. The bass is often
compressed in the recording process. We sometimes mix the direct sound
with the sound of a microphone on a bass amp. Be prepared to play your
parts 3 or 4 times to get the feel right. This is the same process that
the drummer went through to get the feel right. You need to prepare
for the mental game of perfecting your part which can be grueling. If
you're prepared, your endurance will be high enough that multiple passes
will just roll off your back and you will have a blast.
Guitar and vocalist. Guitar rhythm and any doubling or any layering
are added next and have the same "practice regime" needs as
the drums and bass. Think about the tones and guitars you are going
to use. It is quite normal to double or thicken your guitar parts with
multiple tracks. Plan ahead if you want to do this. Some guitarists
use up to 5 tracks. Also, if you plan on recording acoustic guitar for
some songs let us know. We will do all acoustic song parts in a row.
The vocalist has a very important task
in the studio. You are probably going to be the last one to record your
parts "for real." You've been waiting around for everyone
else to get it right. Now's your chance. But the main difference is
that you will have to use headphones! This is because we have to have
a microphone on your instrument in the big room. And you are your instrument!
Gear up for a challenge but try to stay loose too. You need to fill
the microphone with your whole style during the recording. Always keep
yourself pointed directly at the microphone and don't change your distance
to the mic. The headphones are part of your tools. Many vocalists change
the angles of the head phone cups. Many others remove one of the cups
from one ear to hear their voice in the room. Be open to trying some
of these tricks.
It cannot
be emphasized enough about being prepared. That means that if you aren't
sure of the chords, bring in a chart of the song. Bring lyric sheets
for the songs if at all possible. Arrange your songs so that everyone
is calling the parts of the songs the same thing. You'd be surprised
how many musicians call the bridge the chorus or the chorus the verse.
It doesn't matter how you say it. But try to be consistent with your
band . This helps in the control room greatly.