Re: [Harp-L] Recording a Demo (reprise)

[Windsaver@xxxxxxx]

If you are going for the "live" recording vibe things are not too technical.  
Here are the basic things to be aware of in the studio setting:

1.  Set up your instrument rigs quickly so that the recording engineer and 
crew can place microphones and such without interference.

2.  Chances are the bass player and drummer will be in isolation 
rooms/booths.  In better rooms there will be windows so that visual contact remains.  
Cheaper rooms might not have windows.  However, smaller rooms tend to have small 
amp isolation booths so that everyone plays in the same room, but the amps are 
separate.  For a live band this may be preferable since you can set up like at 
a gig.

3.  Know what songs you are playing and the arrangements, etc.  Don't try and 
come up with something new in the studio.

4.  Let the engineers do their job.  Your job is to let them know the general 
type of sound you would like to get.  Tracking and mixing are typically 
separate sessions.  However, the engineer will put together a rough mix that may 
very well meet your needs for the demo.  A full-blown mixing session is probably 
not necessary for a "live" vibe demo.  However, you want to be happy with the 
recording!

5.  The recording is only as good as the performance.  Wrong notes, bad 
timing, de-tuned strings cannot be fixed in the mix!!  

6.  For live studio recordings, it is better to stop a take if it went bad 
and start at the top.  This saves a lot of time by not playing the whole tune 
even though it is not a good take.