Songmith Record Analysis

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Page 1 of 2 SongSmith Records Recording Tips and Procedures Thank you for considering SongSmith Records to record your project! Our goal is your utmost satisfaction. To achieve that end, we present the following “Recording Tips and Procedures” to help you prepare for and understand the recording process. Everyone involved in the project must prepare for the recording Session. It is impossible to just walk into the studio, play or sing a few songs, and walk out with a finished quality product. This information is by no means all-inclusive. It should serve as a general guide for the Client. The following things should happen before the Client books a Session: The material recorded should be in a highly polished (performance) state of readiness.…show more content…
All musicians need to bring extra supplies for their instrument (strings, sticks, picks, fuses, electrical and signal cables, patch cords, keyboards and their stands, capos, auxiliary percussion, batteries, etc.) You should get a good rest before the session and bring any favorite food, snacks, and beverages to SSR. You are welcome to use the refrigerator in the Artist’s lounge. SSR has a handicap accessible restroom available for your use in the lounge. SSR usually will provide some light snacks and beverages gratis during the Session. Vocalists are encouraged to warm up as needed, but not “overdo it”. The best vocal takes are usually the second or third “take” of a track. Food or drink is not allowed in the studio, control room, drum room, or vocal booth at any time. Only vocalists may bring bottled water (only water!) into the vocal booth. It may be less expensive to record all parts/instruments of the song at once, yet better results sometimes happen when the instrumental parts (rhythm parts) are recorded first, maybe with a “scratch” vocal part, and then the “real” vocals, background vocals, and lead instruments are overdubbed to the Project. Usually, the bass and drums record first, maybe with other rhythm parts/instruments, and then the lead…show more content…
If the Client is also playing an instrument during the Session, it allows for greater concentration on each part, leading to fewer mistakes and better results. Once the Session begins, each track recorded has to have the signal flow and level checked. Usually if the Client just plays through a song in “warm up”, the Engineer can get a good signal level, requiring only minor “tweaks” before the recording process begins. When everybody is ready to record, the Engineer will say “Silence in the House”. At that point, he will “record arm” the track(s) to be recorded, and push the “big red button”. The recording process of the raw tracks will begin. The Client should NOT start the song until the Engineer says “We are rolling”. After the Engineer says “We are rolling”, wait two or three seconds and then start the count off to the song. It is best if the Drummer starts the song with a click of the sticks. The drummer should click “one, two, three”, and a silent beat on “four” to allow for editing space at the beginning of the song. The idea is to allow for space for pickup notes. There must be a split second of silence before the song starts for the Engineer to make easy edits. A “click track” of any tempo can be sent easily to the headphone mix if desired for rhythmic consistency. If the Client is using many tracks and overdubs, a click track makes track alignment easier. At the end of the “take”, it is VERY IMPORTANT for no

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