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[ZeromiserY]

Hey folks, we (som) are recording at captain toms in a few weeks. we've opted for the 8 hour multitrack recording.

does anyone have any (helpful) tips on how to get a good recording and improve on our last one?

if you haven't heard our last recording its posted up on myspace.com/statueofmisery

i'm especially looking for tips on making the drum sound a lot 'beefier', especially the bass drum. also, the tom sound on road to ruin. (which is also on myspace).

many thanks in advance

[black_matter]

just turn everything up really loud and hope for the best. That's what we did....

[PVH]

Originally Posted by black_matter

just turn everything up really loud and hope for the best. That's what we did....

Thats not good advice at all.

Why not speak to your engineer about how you want things to sound before you start recording?

If its mostly to do with your drum sound, then microphone placement is important...but in the mix down the engineer should be able to make it sound how you want with EQ's and compression and the likes.
Make sure your kit is properly tuned aswell with new skins aswell.

[The Byre]

The are several pages of information and a page on exactly what happens in a recording session at www.the-byre.com

[iain44s]

if its mostly down to the drum sound then its mostly down to the drum kit itself.
a beefy sound will only be possible if the kit is sounding good itself (may sound obvious but you would be amazed how many people will spend cash on guitar strings etc but totally overlook how the drums sound.)
buy fresh heads and make sure they are played in / stretched before you start recording (or else the sound will change throughout the day)
also listen carefully to the sound of the drums before there are any mics near them and make sure you like the sound of them. beg/borrow/steal a decent set of cymbals too.
if they sound good then its down to the engineer to transfer that to the tape.

[ZeromiserY]

as much of that will be taken into account as money can afford. been saving for new cymbals but an un-expected holiday opportunity came up and delayed that a few months.

bringing it down to detail a little more....the bass drum:

i have a double bass pedal with a double headed hammer. one side padded one side.....un-padded.

want that clicky, sharp, short kick sound. ah-la five minutes alone. i know im not going to get near that but as close as' would be good.

any tips.

also, whats the best way to convey this to an engineer who's probably recorded another ten bands that month and is more than likely a little bored of the whole process?

p.s, any comparison tips? what was bad/good about the last recording?

[Stripey]

err if you are paying for 8 hours of studio time, I would have thought that would include an engineer.

Having said that, most of what I've heard come out of captain toms has been fucking gash.

[ZeromiserY]

Originally Posted by Stripey

err if you are paying for 8 hours of studio time, I would have thought that would include an engineer.

Having said that, most of what I've heard come out of captain toms has been fucking gash.

it does include an engineer.

ih, .... and i agree.

[Adam Easy Wishes]

Originally Posted by ZeromiserY

also, whats the best way to convey this to an engineer who's probably recorded another ten bands that month and is more than likely a little bored of the whole process?

Regardless or not whether Paul is bored of 'the whole process', I'm sure that won't have any bearing on his performance as an engineer.

I'm assuming it will be Paul who does engineer your recording, and he's an entirely approachable and friendly chap. Just explain to him exactly what you want, and I'm sure he'll do everything he can to help you make it sound right.


And...if you agree that everything to come out of Captain Tom's sounds 'fucking gash', why on earth did you book recording time there?

[Chi 666]

Originally Posted by Stripey

err if you are paying for 8 hours of studio time, I would have thought that would include an engineer.

Having said that, most of what I've heard come out of captain toms has been fucking gash.

thats a very vague generalisation, what has sounded gash about Capt toms? there engineer there dose not give the 100% he should but i found that studio to be quite good. they have all the right equipment for what they are selling, and if the sound going into the mic is good then the sound coming out should be ace, but if a shit sound gos in then a shit sound will come out. no matter what the studio.

ZeromiserY- the things you are wanting from your drum sound will come down to micing and mic placment. i found that the Sure beta 91 give outstanding bass drum sounds, as i dont think toms will have this mic we will just have to wait till we get there to see what they have.