EQ Magazine - January 2009 - (Page 45)

The critical point is that the arrangement must work with the performer’s strengths. It’s certainly okay to take a few passes at a part, but if you have to spend all day getting the right performance, it’s probably something that’s not worth recording anyway. Nothing is more tedious than spending hours trying to capture a useable performance, rather than nailing a great performance, so be realistic—don’t write beyond the artist’s means. A simpler part that’s executed cleanly and with feeling will always translate better in the mix. THINK AHEAD Most good songs have a “cool part.” It may be a great melody in the bridge, a memorable guitar riff, or a big push through the chorus. Whatever it is, it has to be recorded in order to be part of the mix. That sounds simple, but it’s true. If you aren’t excited about the parts before the mix stage, you most likely won’t be excited about them afterwards. So make sure the parts you’re recording do the job. You should be thrilled about how a part works in the song—even without hearing the part mixed just so, or dressed up in sparkly effects. In addition, a mix can often lack power because there is nothing there to create the necessary energy. For instance, a big chorus needs something to support it. Heavy guitars or a huge organ pad might do the trick, but, once again, these have to be conscious decisions during the tracking stage. Great producers always have the final mix in the back of their minds when they work on an arrangement. BE A RAY OF LIGHT If you are the artist as well as the producer and/or engineer, tampering with your song probably isn’t much of an issue. If you take a gig as an engineer for another artist, however, suggesting changes to an arrangement can be tricky. If the opportunity does arise to chime in, here are three things to consider: • The song is the artist’s (or songwriter’s) baby, so treat it as such. The artist will usually be more emotional and temperamental about the song than the recording. • A polite demonstration of the techniques we’ve discussed can go a long way. For example, you could simply mute the tracks that are cluttering the mix, and then ask the artist how he or she feels about it. This one action may start a positive discussion about whether a part really needs to be present. • Don’t push a point too hard— even if you feel you’re right. This is an industry that hires by comfort level and likeability as much as talent. Believe it or not, a lower-quality mix in return for a higher-quality relationship is still money in the bank. cording at the Learn audio reof Recording Conservatory s. Arts & Science recording, you need 4.4 Call today! 888.60, AZ 85282 pe www.audiorecordingsch ool.com/eq 075 career in audio If you’re serious about a as committed to your a recording school that is to attend success as you are. teaches you ording Arts and Sciences ss The Conservatory of Rec ipment in eight world-cla ing equ on state of the art record live sound room. 00 square foot studios, six labs, and a 6,0 and Platinum award dy under seasoned Gold You’ll stu to succeed. who know what it takes aart, winning instructors Tools, Logic Pro, EAW Sm in Pro You’ll earn certifications package that helps receive a laptop Waves, and more. You’ll AS Connect along in class, access CR you follow riculum delivery system), (our web based cur cational access and gives you 24 hour edu home. And before you even while you’re at as internship graduate, you’ll complete . p choose at a location you hel When it comes to audio… 2300 E Broadway Rd | Tem ) rt, AZ 85233 (satellite facility 1205 N Fiesta Blvd | Gilbe .html . LET WE ARE THE EXPERTS E MIX. US HELP YOU GET IN TH www.eqmag.com JANUARY 2009 EQ 45 http://www.audiorecordingschool.com/eq.html http://www.eqmag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EQ Magazine - January 2009

EQ Magazine - January 2009 Contents Talk Box Sounding Board Punch In Bob Dylan The Killers Guitar Trax Bass Management Key Issues Drum Heads Vocal Cords Mix Bus Cheat Sheet Microsoft Windows Vista Apple Mac OS X "Lite" Software Roundup "Lite" Software Gadgets & Goodies Sounds Room With a Vu

EQ Magazine - January 2009

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