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Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 2:45 pm
by archlilim
My band is headed up to Montreal, Canada in two weeks to record at Hotel2Tango (http://www.hotel2tango.com/). 30 hours of recording time. Super nervous, though super excited for the opportunity. I've recorded in the studio before, but nothing as official as H2T. Anyone have pointers on the process and mindset. I'm pretty happy with the composition. My only worry is mainly how to pace ourselves and the process of laying out each song. We're recording everything live with minimal overdubs. Any suggestions or anecdotes would be helpful. :thumb:

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 5:05 pm
by kvn
Not that I know from experience, but from what I hear just know what you're playing really well so you're not wasting time fixing mess-ups.

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 6:55 pm
by smile_man
archlilim wrote:My band is headed up to Montreal, Canada in two weeks to record at Hotel2Tango (http://www.hotel2tango.com/). 30 hours of recording time. :


FUCK YOU. SRSLY. :mad:

too jealous. :(

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 7:55 pm
by jrmy
Do everything you can to be as relaxed as possible while still being sharp. You may have to play and replay your parts what feels like a zillion times over, but try not to sweat it. And when it comes time for mixing, let them put the whole thing through its paces and do all kinds of crazy tweaking before you even think about how the final will feel. It's so easy to get hung up on small details if you let yourself - try to keep the whole piece in mind whenever possible.

Oh, and good luck! :thumb:

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 9:41 pm
by archlilim
Much thanks, man. It's def a mental game it seems.

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 9:49 pm
by Scruffie
I'd reccomend some good band time but also space... kinda like team building but then not staying cooped together constantly, you may be incredibly tight but keeping a close relationship for 30 hours in small rooms can be the toughest part of that kind of recording session... plenty of beer and something to take the stress of your day out on is what i'd go for, perhaps doing something that inspires you that you might not have done before like I dunno walking around some mountains or whatever there may be available, then just relax and let those tunes flow... Good times.

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 10:32 pm
by laterallateral
I think one of the really important approaches is maintaining a balance between keeping a sharp focus on how you want it all to come together, to promote your own ideas while staying flexible and receptive to new ones. It's kind of a tough balance to strike but it definitely makes things easier in the long run.

Being able to momentaraly distance yourself from what's going on will help your mind stay fresh and will greatly reduce tension.

If you like coffee, I higly suggest this place. It's just a couple of blocks from the studio. Best Coffee in Montréal (no joke)
Image
The staff at the H2T will know about it.

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 11:07 pm
by Mudfuzz
Play tight and play soulfully/intensely. It is always better to get more feeling in the performance then have it perfect. Perfect is nice but if it come out robotic or un-energetic or stuffy it will be bah.

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 12:50 am
by smile_man
Also, make sure you don't support Bush. :lol:

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:20 am
by iblamesummers
yeah that seems like a great studio. aids wolf recorded there...

:joy:

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 11:30 am
by smile_man
iblamesummers wrote:yeah that seems like a great studio. aids wolf recorded there...

:joy:


not to mention Godspeed and A Silver Mt. Zion.

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:52 pm
by CBGB
Make sure you're well rehearsed for everything you're doing, and have a great time :thumb: Montreal is a cool city too.

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 10:11 pm
by metalmariachi
Mudfuzz wrote:Play tight and play soulfully/intensely. It is always better to get more feeling in the performance then have it perfect. Perfect is nice but if it come out robotic or un-energetic or stuffy it will be bah.

This is true.
And rehearse now so you are comfortable playing your music, then relax and play.


MM

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 5:15 am
by iblamesummers
smile_man wrote:
iblamesummers wrote:yeah that seems like a great studio. aids wolf recorded there...

:joy:


not to mention Godspeed and A Silver Mt. Zion.


& the Pony Up! too i love that band...

:joy:

Re: Going to the studio. Any suggestions?

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:32 am
by smile_man
iblamesummers wrote:
& the Pony Up! too i love that band...

:joy:


or King Khan!

http://hotel2tango.com/bandlist.html