Recording an Album

Saturday Feb 26 2006 marked the start of recording the lead vocals to the album. As anticipated this was much slower than previous recording sessions.

Leaving aside the recording for a few moments two problems with the studio became apparent yesterday.
The first: The computer only has USB 1.1 therefore meaning backing up data takes 6-8 weeks rather than about 15 minutes. (The project is rapidly closing in on hitting 25 GB).
The Second: Velcro Adhesive and exterior walls make a bad combination. Over the last few weeks we have been coming into the studio and having to stick up the odd tile here and there. Yesterday, not content with potentially damaging expensive tiles the 4 week old skimming had also been pulled off the wall. :-(

The only benefit I found out of the tile situation was that I could now position them where ever I felt like. Custom Acoustics -> Nice!

I will have to go back to the studio one day this week and find a more permanent method of attaching them to the wall. I am thinking picture hooks, and then if I want to move the odd one about for different situations I can. Anyone reading this with experience of the problem please comment!!

Now back to the recording it was felt that a new style of how to get good takes down was required.

The microphone was positioned slightly above the singer, meaning he had to lift his head and open his throat more. We started the day with a brew to warm the throat, and then sang through one song once for sound check, then straight into another take with the record button pressed. This take was listened back, and then we would do another. We did in the region of 5 takes of this song, knowing that we would have a clean take from editing them together.

Reading about how Keanes Hopes and Fears album was recorded I had in mind the vocalist would be strongest in the 3rd and 4th takes. This is because his voice would be warmed up, without getting in to the routine of being bored of singing the song.

The next song, Charcoal Skies, was somewhat more difficult to record. We did two takes and realised the way the song is written was not allowing for correct breathing on certain lines, and words not being pronounced properly. We therefore split the song into 3 easy sections; Verse, Chorus A and Chorus B. David commented how much easier it was to sing, and he got his pronunciation spot on. A bit of editing involved but it should be fine. There maybe problems with pitch of the voice on different takes, but that should be easily sortable.

A 2 hour break then commenced. When we restarted David's voice needed warming up again. Cue another brew. Although am sure we must have a clean take of the first song after the break (we did like 7 takes) I still have a paranoia inside of me that tells me otherwise. A listen later this week will confirm this. The next song flowed out really nice in a few takes, knowing that we had an editable take.

Home time!

Well not quite, it was going to take 50 minutes to back up the data, so we left the hard drive running whilst we took some "promotional" pictures for blogging purposes and the report I have to produce for Uni at the end of this project.

We also confirmed dates for the rest of the production schedule right up to mastering. It is scary how tight the schedule is for this album, breaking speed records for sure!

Less than 8 weeks to go!

Last night was time to record the bass overdubs.

It was a chilled out session with 4 short overdubs, and 1 full song lasting 1 hour 45 minutes. Apart from the full song the overdubs were like one chord. To make editing easier a full chorus or verse was recorded. This will ensure the natural sound is maintained.

Vocals are sheduled in to start this friday. In the meantime editing will commence!

Although deviating off the point of recording...this has to be one of the funniest rants that has been spilled out in a long time.

About 10 minutes after informing us of how he used to sit in the bushes of a field hosting dog obedience classes with a dog whistle, and all the owners wondering why their pets were not their usual self, Simon, theREIGN's keyboarder informed us of his views on Mozart.

Cue an out of the head perfect rendition of Mozart's most famous works. Then he proceeded to state that any one can play Mozart as he hit the keys randomly, yet still sounding like Mozart. If it really is that special why can anyone play it? As a rant developed out spilled the lines... Mozart is Just Another McCartney... Really not that musically great. Sheer Class...

Yesterday was the longest recording session so far. Embarking on the Keys and Lead guitar at the same time. No reason for this, other than both musicians we about and have no acoustic sound, both just DI into the desk. I also made the decision to record the Midi as well...just for editing flexibility.

In terms of recording the lead guitarist has set sounds for each track, but we also recorded a variety of other sounds...this will give the album a final uniqueness that the band cannot replicate live. It does mean post production will take a lot longer, but has to be worth it.

We are in the position where we have lots recorded for each track, that does not necessarily have to go on the final takes, but never the less there if it is needed.

Back to the beginning...recording yesterday took 11 hours...with only 30 mins for lunch, the rest was pretty much solid. Ears were very painful at the end of the day. Although it has to be said Chinese take away for lunch over the last two weeks has settled down very nicely for a long afternoon.

The project has now hit 20.9GB so when it became time to back up onto an external hard drive at the end of the session, it took a full 50 minutes for the data to transfer across. I was contemplating going home and coming back, but for safety reasons decided to stay. I am gradually getting more and more paranoid about things happening to the files. this week I will also embark on transferring the data into a third location just to make sure!

Tomorrow night will be time to over dubb the bum notes on the bass recording. this starts at 8pm, and should hopefully not take too long. The picture is of the lead guitarist performing his magic during a take!

Now left to record for the instruments is:

• Lead Guitar
• Phils Acoustic
• Keyboards
• Bass Overdubbs.

Yesterday it was confirmed that the lead guitar and keyboards are to be recorded this saturday.

The Bass Overdubbs are tro be done this monday night.

Phil's acoustic is in progress of planning. Dates for this will follow.

For the keyboards i ahve made the decision to record this both analogue and midi. This will recreate the live aspect of the keyboard, as well as being able to be modified in post-production.

Later today will mark the continuation of editing some of the already recorded material .

Saturday marked the recording of the acoustic guitar.

This was to act as an overdub for the guitar recorded with the drums and bass the week earlier.

For this I used three microphones...

A large diaphragm condenser by the bridge
A small diaphragm condender on the 12th fret angled towards the sound hole
A dynamic above the guitar angled towards the sound hole

The acoustic being played was a 12 string, and this mic combination gave a very good pickup method. I also Used the guitar pickup for monitoring purposes on the day.

All the tracks were recorded with acoustic guitar, although it will get cut from some of the tracks when final mixing takes place.

Next weekend marks the keyboard recording as well as maybe lead guitar...news to follow.

This will it will be time to edit another track and create basic mix's for the band to hear what has been produced so far.

Tonight a few things were confirmed...Davids 12 string acoustic will be recorded this Saturday. Initially we were also thinking of starting work on the lead vocals. However, due to inflamed tonsils and such like this has been potponed.

Also...Simon is down from Durham next weekend, so on the 18th we are going to record the keyboards.

These are also less about one hit wonders so several takes of each will be recorded. Thus giving more flexibily when full on editing commences.

This evening i also created very very very rough mixes of four songs for Simon to hear before he comes down. This is so he can get up to speed with progress before entering the studio.

Earlier today i also updated my links section down the side. As well as linking to my university report there are now links to the blogs being created by the band. One is the band as a whole, while the other is David's personal thoughts.

Tomorrow has been set aside to finish off the rough charcoal skies timings as well as hopefully starting on another track from the album, doing a similar motion. It's all fun and games!

Well Sunday night saw the beginning of the editing...

I chose to start with the track charcoal skies. The reason for this was because it is a track to have a bass overdub. Get the drums in time before the bass is recorded will make life alot easier in the future with the rest of the recording.

The editing is rought for now though. The hi-hats all need moving a little, but that can easily be altered later down the line when the rest of the band is being edited as well.

The first 75 bars proved moderatly easy, however the band then sped up and a double kick is 1/16th out of time on every single bar. It is taking a long time but the end result should be good.

3 tracks are to have the bass overdubbed this weekend, so best crack on.

New post soon...

Well...The concentration that is required is unreal...

Following the sound check on friday the recording took full swing yesterday.

Ivan on drums, John on Bass and David guding them with his voice and guitar.

11 tracks were recorded. The drums are sorted - apart from lots of editing to follow. Yey

Bass is good, a few over dubs to be done here and there but otherwise cool.

Pictures show the damping on the kick drum and the desk setup.

Recording took like 9 hours. solid listening for the entire time, my ears wreck now!

Out.