Studio Time – tips submitted by RDM/Snake Oil Records & Recording
By Dan-O Deckelman.
Web Site URL: www.MySpace.com/SnakeOilRecording
Country: United States
Name of Recording Studio: RDM/Snake Oil Records & Recording
Studio Location: Hull St. Richmond, Va.
How to maximize your time in thestudio
Tell us about your recording studio and the services you offer:
The newRDM/Snake Oil Recording location on the Southside of Richmond continues tooffer multi-track recording in 1000sq ft. of live space. The open architectureoffers a comfortable and creative vibe that accommodates everything from fullband projects and solo artists, to mixing and voice over. RDM/ Snake OilRecording can also provide CD/DVD custom packaging of CD-R/DVD-R’s. Living accommodations are also available.
Recording Tip or Tutorial (250 – 600 words):
Studio time – maximizing your time in thestudio
Over the years, one tends to see certain patterns working in an environmentsuch as the recording studio. One pattern that emerges on a regular basis ispreparation. I’m speaking of band/artist preparation or pre-production if youwill. Here’s how it usually goes:
Phone call: Hello this is Dan-O Snake Oil Recording.
Caller: Hi, I want to find out about rates to record a CD.
Dan-O: OK, rates start at XYX$$$ a day including engineer, what type of projectare we talking about?
Caller: Oh we’re a 4-5 piece band and we want to do 12-14 songs for a CD.
Dan-O: Sounds great.
Caller: We want to book 1 day, maybe 2.
Dan-O: Do you think you might need a little more time then that? Have yourecorded before?
Caller: Some of us have. We rehearse all the time and we’re really tight so Idon’t think well need more than 1 or 2 days. We’ll just run through the songsand be done.
Saving studio time
OK. Here’s the problem. When the recording light goes on many things start tohappen. And when I mean happen I mean fall apart. The drummer isn’t used tohearing the band with headphones or can’t hear at all, the room soundsdifferent than everyone’s used to, or now we can hear everything and we’re notas tight as we thought. Let’s just forget about hearing a playback right now.That a whole other story right now because the bands to busy either arguing orcompletely silent from shock.
Recording tips – studio time
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Try rehearsing with no vocals.
2. Rehearse at a lower volume to see if things are working together and tight.
3. Try playing to a click. Feed a click to some phones and turn the volume downon the amps. Drummer just layback some if you can.
4. Do this for 6 months. Ok 4 months prior to recording. No kidding.
5. Record your rehearsals. Are the songs working?
6. Play to a click when practicing at home by your self.
7. Play live. Play all the songs live for time.
8. If you have a 4 track or small digital recorder demo the songs you’re self.Do it as a multi-track recording if you can. Then have the vocalist(s) cuttheir parts to the tracks.
9. Work out your budget in realistic terms for recording in a commercialfacility. If you really want results plan on budgeting for it.
10. Go back to number 1 and start again.
Just these basic things can expand your insights and make your studioexperience a positive one with positive results. Nobody likes to bedisappointed and studios don’t want you to be disappointed. It all starts withgood songs and performance. The more of this you have, the most satisfying recording is going to be.
Studio time – how to maximize your time in thestudio tips, submitted by Dan-O Deckelman of RDM/Snake Oil Records & Recording
Learn how to build your own recording studio.
Top of Studio time saving tips page.