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Hey my band is considering recording a demo soon. I was wondering how the best way to do it. (studio or home) This is our first time for any of us actualy recording so any advice would be kool. Thanx

[Leckie Gilman]

well my band's drummer's dad has an expansive as fuck (£18000+) recording studio in his garage.

so if you have one of them it comes in handy.

[Jimmygoodein]

we just got some nice recording gear and a computer to use at home. still learning to use it though, might take some time. If you never recorded from home before it would be useful getting someone who knows what to do to give you a hand at first to get the best result possible.

[Tav]

Regardless of wether you are recording at home or using a recording studio preperation is important. On the music side of things make sure everyone knows their parts and the arrangements. Although this seems a simple point the more prepartion you can do before recording the better especially if you are spending money.

On the instrumental side of things. Make sure your instruments are set up properly and are in good condition. Guitars and basses should have correct intonation. I once had a bass which when tuned was fine in the lower frets but the higher up the neck you played the more out of tune it went because the intonation was out. Nothing worse than out of tune instruments on a recording. Put some new strings on your guitars the day before and play them in. A newly strung guitar is going to sound better and playing them in will keep tuning stable.

Make sure you've got fresh batteries for all your effects pedals and have them set to the levels you want. Same goes for your amplifier. Work out the sound you want before going along and then things will run more smoothly
If you are taking drum equipment make sure it's in good condition and isn't going to fail on you mid recording session. Remember a waste of time is a waste of money.

Remember to take a piss before you start recording as well...

Also, be friendly with who ever is doing the recording, engineering and leave your ego outside the studio.

If you have cd's of bands that have certain sounds that you like, it might be a good idea to let who ever is recording you hear them so that he has an idea of the sound your aiming for.

Originally posted by Turnham Green:
Also, be friendly with who ever is doing the recording, engineering and leave your ego outside the studio.

If you have cd's of bands that have certain sounds that you like, it might be a good idea to let the who ever is recording you hear them so that he has an idea of the sound your aiming for.

Very good advice. If you turn up with your ego on, any self respecting sound engineer will tell you to fuck off, sharply.
I once sat in as assistant engineer to recording guru Dave Sinton when he recorded Eddi Reader. She was a complete pain in the arse.. Sinton told her to fuck off and come back when she'd learned some respect.
She did.