What should I know before starting my recording project?

[dorkusmalorkusmafia]

I have about 3 albums worth of original music floating around in my head, most of which have also been written out on a leadsheet or more at some time or another (in Finale...a notational software program for those that don't know). Anyway, I am at a loss for how to proceed. There are several recording studios that have caught my eye. I play an odd type of song-form flamenco (ie, singer songwriter with flamenco guitar) and would like to add in some other instruments but don't really want to write all the extras. Am I correct that a producer would be able to hook me up with say a drummer and I wouldn't have to write extra material to get that accompaniement? I was never sure what they did exactly. Anyway, I have a few grand saved up for this project and would really like to finally get it on the way. What else is there that I should know?

[Bruce_Daddy]

I recorded a demo in a local studio a few years back. He had all the regular instruments (drums, bass, guitars, keyboard, etc.) and would add the parts as needed. You could probably call studios and ask them if they do something similar. A guy like that or a studio musician would probably love to be able to make something up as opposed to being handed a cd or sheet music and ordered: "Play this."

The cheapest studio time around here is $30/hr. If you have 3 albums worth of music, you're going to be in the studio a long time, especially if there are other instruments that need parts created as they go along. Like, weeks.

If you have so many songs banging around in your head, you might consider doing it yourself. I have a Tascam 428 and a copy of Cakewalk and have recorded demos for our band and others. I enjoyed spending Saturdays mixing our music, it was very rewarding. You could easily get set up for under $1000 and take your time instead of being rushed in a studio. The only down side is that you'll have to either a)buy/download* a drum machine, b) buy some drums and learn, or c) find a drummer.

Let us know when we can download the finished product.

*ugh

[dorkusmalorkusmafia]

Thanks for the insight Bruce. Recording studios here run around $45/hr+. I want to record 13 of my original songs and one older classical piece (It's around 350 years old so I won't have that nagging royalty thing kicking me in the butt). I am a classical musician so I don't know much about electronical musical gadgets so I won't likely be getting a drum machine. It would be tough anyway since I write fluidly and don't worry about changing time signatures. I have some drums but I am only competent enough to play them on very simple pieces and I am not very musical on them yet. I don't have the time to put into them to get decent. I will also be playing some random woodwinds (shawm or recorder) and bass on this project. If I ever decide to get the work done on my viola da gamba I would likely add that into the mix instead of the bass.

Anyway, when it is done I will post them on mp3.com probably.

BTW, what types of questions did you ask the studio folk when you went in there?

[Opengrave]

Hopefully Delta-9 will see this and respond.
http://www.delta9studios.com/

[World Eater]

Music producer, engineer, musician, jack of all trades master of none checking in here.

_{Yes, that is my official title}

You have a few options at your disposal.

First, you could buy some new equipment and do most of the recording, at your leisure, yourself.

Advantage / Disadvantage - You own your own equipment, so you have unlimited 'studio time' / You'll have to figure out how to use all that crap.

You have total control over your music / You still have to figure out how to use all that crap, plus having total control can be a bad thing.

I find it's easier to recruit musicians when you have your own studio (not some full blown studio mind you, a studio nowadays can take up a corner of your bedroom) / Producing the music (which you'll be doing a lot of now that it's your studio) can drive people nuts, and you are pretty much in charge of the whole operation, which is either good or bad. My band always records at another studio, that way I can shut up, play my bass, drink a beer and let someone else worry about running the show.

Second, you can check out local musician listings in your area, or check with local studios for session musicians. You may have to pay them, or offer them sex and drugs, or convince them this is a huge project and they'll do it just for the sake of getting their names out there. Make sure you give them a test run with a few rehearsals to make sure these are people you can play with, and that they will be able to accurately convey what your music is about.

Lastly, if you decide to go to a studio in lieu of buying gear, (which is perfectly fine to do), I would shop around and even visit them. Any decent studio should be more then happy to sit down for a minute and listen to what you want to do. I would bring along a copy of my music to play for them, and explain what you would like out of a recording. Find out who the engineer is, and what projects they have worked on previously.

Hope this helps.

[Bill H.]

Another vote for investing that few grand into a small studio. After this project is done, you'll still have a studio available for future projects for free, as well as a lot of valuable insight that you gained from recording this first project yourself.

You'll find you learn so much more from a big picture perspective by recording your own stuff as opposed to going elsewhere and letting someone else do the recording, mixing, and filling in odd parts. You'll even hear music in a new way after you've mixed a bit; you'll pick out nuances, effects and mixing techniques in things on the radio that you hadn't heard before.

Finally, by having your own small studio, you'll immediately become more interesting to other musicians who will want to collaborate on your music and record their own stuff.

[Bruce_Daddy]

Originally posted by World Eater
Advantage / Disadvantage - You own your own equipment, so you have unlimited 'studio time' / You'll have to figure out how to use all that crap.

You have total control over your music / You still have to figure out how to use all that crap, plus having total control can be a bad thing.

I'd just like to add that I found the Tascam and Cakewalk very easy to use, and I can be a damn dummy sometimes.

[dorkusmalorkusmafia]

I don't think doing my own studio is a viable option. I have a 4 track that I use to doodle on but I don't have any place where I can set it up and maintain all the soundproofing etc types of things.