I really like recording. More so with others, even just another guitar playing demoing songs. When I record alone I often get a bit too perfectionist, but when there's someone else involved it's easier to move forward.

-Pierre
The Obsidians! (Ottawa surf)
The Obsidians debut EP

I like recording, although, like Jake, I rarely/never finish my own stuff beyond demo standard. When recording with the band, I prefer for someone else to engineer, although I now prefer to mix myself. Studio time does cost money, of course, but that does tend to focus the mind.

As to hearing the difference between different preamps, this makes interesting reading.

My favourite thing about recording is when spontaneity strikes and you end up doing something you'd never imagined. I recorded the Surfin' Lungs doing the backing vocals and organ part for Hula Girl by The Veterans in my home studio. While doing this we suddenly had the idea to add a ukulele part (played by Chris, from the Lungs) and a lapsteel part (which I played), with no idea of whether or not The Veterans would like it at all. They loved it so much that they used it in the released version and used it to create a whole new end to the song. You can hear it here.

I do find playing live far more stressful, as a rule, largely because, when playing surf music, I'm pretty much at the limit of my (meagre) abilities and hate myself when I mess up.

Los Fantasticos

Last edited: Jan 31, 2015 07:21:50

I used to love recording, but I am such a perfectionist these days that I usually ruin the experience for myself. A major part of the problem is that my creativity has been so lacking for years now that it's just not fun anymore, and the thought of having to compose/record something actually gives me a lot of anxiety. In fact, I went so far as to quit music totally for almost a year because of this (and a lot of stress at work), but just recently got back into playing the guitar.

For now, I would prefer to mix music or play it, but not both. I find that I wind up forever tinkering with songs to the point that I just get upset with them and abandon them. Computer based recording is a blessing and a curse all at the same time.

Last edited: Jan 16, 2016 20:06:07

I'm enjoying it more (as a process) than previously; looking back over this thread is cause to reflect. Have used several suggestions from members here (including 3-fingers worth from that Crazy Ace down in Tennessee). So, as the results get better mix-wise, the happy-factor goes up.

Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel

DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.

stratdancer wrote:

Well this thread is about a year old and nothing has changed for me. I spent a bit of time this weekend going through the many live drum takes I have sitting in my multi-track. Just trying to decide which track to use is a pain. Then thinking about how to fix some of the snare hits that have dynamics issues. Then thinking about all the time it will take to get the mics just right. Thankfully I did run through the songs a bit more to get some riffs down. When I was younger and new to multi-tracking at home I would spend all my free time recording and just get off on it. Now it's just work to me. I hope my attitude changes and I can get productive!!!

This is what I think of when someone tells me, "Do what you love and you never have to work again". But doing what you love for work, it's still work, then what do you do for fun?

I'm quite glad I don't have to do music for a living, partly because I prefer to do it on my own terms, and partly because I don't think I have enough confidence in my ability or potential to be very good.

As an aside, Jack White went all low fi and it didn't do him any harm. I believe Frank Black recorded an album using one mic and an old cassette recorder. Just because the technology is there, you don't HAVE to use it...

http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/

My experience consists of DIY recordings with black metal bands, and pro studio recordings with my surf band (we're going back into the studio this September...the first album never got completed...and well, after a 3 year hiatus we found we play the songs differently...and better!), and an alt rock project(think Foo Fighters-esque). The DIY was nice, we had decent gear, and time was on our side for both albums we did. And the results weren't bad at all. However, I find if you have the money, getting into a studio is an awesome experience. Especially if the engineer is a big fan of what you do musically, and really goes out of his way to help you out.

I think that's the biggest factor, finding an engineer that you can actually relate to, and gets as enthusiastic about your music as you do. Yes, it does get frustrating doing take after take...but there again, that's where that good engineer comes into play. I've done takes I swore was total crap, do another take that I think was better, and wonder why the engineer questioned my decision to do so. Then we go back and listen to the takes and it turns out my "crappy" take was actually quite good. lol go figure, right?? Someone earlier in this thread mentioned "getting in your own head" and that statement couldn't be more true. It's really easy to get an "ideal" part stuck in your head and be beyond frustrated when it doesn't turn out the way you want it. On the other hand, I've taken those moments and have been able to come up with an alternate, and always much better, part that ends up making the song, as it were. Your mind can definitely be your worst enemy when you're under the headphones and see that red light come on.

I am a bit of a perfectionist, but I have been lucky in the sense I can nail good, solid parts in just a few takes. I always have to keep in mind I'm playing "for the radio" and not for a crowd, in order to keep my playing more in the pocket and not too flashy, unless specific parts call for it.

All that being said, I do definitely prefer the energy of a live show over the studio performance. But I don't dislike the recording process either.

Gear:Kit:Pearl Reference series in Emerald Fade,Pearl rack,Pearl Demon Drive pedals,Tama Iron Cobra hi-hat stand, Sabian & UFiP cymbals.

Last edited: Jul 15, 2016 17:44:07

Came upon this thread and it sure fits what I’m doing right now.

Our band has had some personnel changes and we are just getting the to the point where we all can “read” one another and the music is becoming better than I could have imagined possible. Our drummer pointed out that we need some fresh band demos, and then he thinks he can get us into some decent venues near where he lives.

Hence, we’ve been recording demos and relearning the ropes of recording. During the week, I spend most of my time dealing with computer networks, data comm, etc. Music counterbalances this with a different form of stress. I find that one activity de-stresses me, with regard to the other activity. But, when I try to engineer a recording and play too, the effect is just the opposite, the stresses seem to reinforce one another. Fortunately, our bassist does most of the engineering and I can just play may part. We share the source files on Dropbox so that we can make changes after the fact. On a few of the tunes, I’ve gone back and redid my part after the main session and that’s not so stressful. I have a Quik-Loc Guitar Chair in front of the computer we use for recording, so I can cue the song, create an additional guitar track, mute the original guitar track, and redo my part.

However, I’ve found that first takes seem to have tremendous energy and if they can be used, that’s usually the way to go.

Our recording technique is unconventional, but it works well. The drums are in an alcove in my living room and we mic’ them, using two mic’s. The guitar and bass are recorded direct into the recording interface and we play it together using headphones (because the guitar and bass are essentiall inaudible). This gives us a drum track with no appreciable bleed and guitar and bass tracks that have no drum sounds on them. If the drum track is ok, the take is ok, we can always redo the other tracks if we have to, but usually we don’t. Then, if there are vocals, I put my ‘phones back on, amble up to the vocal mic’ and do my thing.

Here’s a sample I can share (being public domain), it’s not Surf, but it’s a good example of what our recording technique yields. The place your mother wants you to stay away from. :)

This was a first take. Something just clicked and we got a very decent take. We all liked the feel and energy,so we saved it, I had a couple of false starts and then did the vocal in a single take. I would venture that, including a count-in and a trail-off that we’re edited out, there was less than 6 minutes of “Roll Time” on the whole project. We usually don’t get off so easy.

iMac with an Alesis IO-4, using Audacity for recording software. The Guitar is a Gretsch G6119-1959 with a TV Jones Duo-Tron. The bass is a Hofner Club Bass, the drums are a 5 piece Mapex Club Set but using very old, very thick Zildjian cymbals. No effects on the master tracks, reverb added in post-production.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Last edited: Dec 24, 2017 07:31:23

Samurai wrote:

Vocals? What are “the vocals”? What do you mean?

It's like very bad Surf Music and you play it with your mouth. Fortunately, I was struck in the jaw as a child, so I have an "offset" mouth, just like a Jag' Jazz' or Mustang.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

I actually really LOVE recording, what EYE find stressful is playing live on the radio, any tiny mistake always seems magnified 1000x for me ! (Although many people probably might never notice)!

spskins wrote:

insectsurfer wrote:

I actually really LOVE recording, what EYE find stressful is playing live on the radio, any tiny mistake always seems magnified 1000x for me ! (Although many people probably might never notice)!

EYE AGREE!

After reading this thread my head starts to ache. Maybe it’s I strain.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.