Telecaster Guitar Forum - View Single Post

klasaine · April 18th, 2009, 02:54 PM

Be in tune. Seems obvious I know - but so many musicians are not meticulous about their tuning. In the studio it matters - and it's forever.
If there are any issues or questions about something (or someone) being out of tune, check everybody on the same tuner. If you're recording acoustic piano(?) - tune to the piano - or at least check it's "A" with your tuner.

Whenever I do my own thing or am the MD or defacto MD for somebody else, I generally do 3 takes of each tune. Even if the 1st take seems rippin', I'll still do two more. My reason is that if there's a blown bass note, guitar chord, etc - usually (in this digital age) you can grab the note or chord from another take. If your meter and tempo is really consistent from take to take, you can even fly in a solo from another take with a little time tweaking. I would suggest at least starting each take at the same tempo. Use a metronome to get the tempo.

If the studio has guitar amps you 'may' want to consider using one - the engineer probably knows how it sounds and how to mic it up (unless it's a Marshall and you're a Fender guy - do what's comfortable).

As mentioned DO NOT WATCH THE CLOCK - it will always beat you. The 1st tune will usually take the longest - set up, re-align some mics, headphone levels, goofing around with the inevitable technical problem, etc. Don't stress about it - it takes the time it takes

*extra credit : do any 2nd guitar parts or overdubs (not 'fixes' - different parts) on a different guitar and amp if possible ... or even direct. It adds more sonic 'landscape' to your tracks. If a different guitar and amp is NOT an option? ... change pickups, change amp setting and mic placement (change mic?) roll off your tone control a bit, etc.

Have fun and may the force be with you.

April 18th, 2009, 02:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
klasaine Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: los angeles, ca Age: 47 Posts: 2,450 10 Photos	Be in tune. Seems obvious I know - but so many musicians are not meticulous about their tuning. In the studio it matters - and it's forever. If there are any issues or questions about something (or someone) being out of tune, check everybody on the same tuner. If you're recording acoustic piano(?) - tune to the piano - or at least check it's "A" with your tuner. Whenever I do my own thing or am the MD or defacto MD for somebody else, I generally do 3 takes of each tune. Even if the 1st take seems rippin', I'll still do two more. My reason is that if there's a blown bass note, guitar chord, etc - usually (in this digital age) you can grab the note or chord from another take. If your meter and tempo is really consistent from take to take, you can even fly in a solo from another take with a little time tweaking. I would suggest at least starting each take at the same tempo. Use a metronome to get the tempo. If the studio has guitar amps you 'may' want to consider using one - the engineer probably knows how it sounds and how to mic it up (unless it's a Marshall and you're a Fender guy - do what's comfortable). As mentioned DO NOT WATCH THE CLOCK - it will always beat you. The 1st tune will usually take the longest - set up, re-align some mics, headphone levels, goofing around with the inevitable technical problem, etc. Don't stress about it - it takes the time it takes *extra credit : do any 2nd guitar parts or overdubs (not 'fixes' - different parts) on a different guitar and amp if possible ... or even direct. It adds more sonic 'landscape' to your tracks. If a different guitar and amp is NOT an option? ... change pickups, change amp setting and mic placement (change mic?) roll off your tone control a bit, etc. Have fun and may the force be with you.