Recording tips

This page really just lists a number of miscellaneous tips for those recording music in the comfort of their own homes. Some of the tips may be good, many may be bad. With a little luck, you'll try them and work out which you prefer.

Most of the examples will probably mention guitars. I can't help it. This stuff applies to other instruments too, such as... umm... errr, that thing... with the... oh, never mind.

As always, comments, additions and suggestions welcome.

Turd polishing

Whatever you do, try to get things like your levels right before recording a part. If you have your trim or faders set too high on your mixer, and it clips or distorts, you'll never get rid of it. If you record with your levels set too low, you'll need to amplify it more, along with any noise on the tape/disk. You can polish a piece of turd all you like, but it'll still always be shit. Try to start with something better than crap.

Instrumentation

Multiple tracks, same instrument

When recording multiple tracks of the same instrument, such as a guitar, try to avoid using exactly the same tone for each track. Using a track containing two guitar parts as an example, using exactly the same pickups, effects and EQ settings for both tracks will often result in a lifeless recording. Both guitar parts will merge together too well and will remove some of the definition between the two parts.

The most simple way to work around this problem is to use a different pickup. Use the neck pickup for one track and the bridge pickup for the other. Using a different guitar (if available), altering distortion, bass, mid and treble and effects settings may also achieve the same. See the section on mixing for more ideas here.

By the way, this is one of the most widely accepted excuses for "needing" another guitar. Wink wink.

Mixing

In my mind, the art of mixing is all about finding the right amount of blend and contrast between multiple tracks. You don't want all of the tracks to blend in together completely, or you'd have a thick, muddy mess. At the same time, you probably don't want complete contrast.

Reverb and direct-inject

If you're recording an instrument (such as a guitar) by plugging it directly into your equipment and not by placing a microphone in front of an instrument or amplifier, try adding a very small amount of reverb to each track, if possible. You probably don't want to add so much that you sound like you're playing in a concrete tunnel, but a small amount will really help to bring your track to life.

Contrast in tone

Try to create a little contrast between two similar instruments. A good example is much of the rock and metal music out there. Many guitarists will crank the treble and bass controls and drop the mid control back as much as possible. This can help create a great rhythm sound, but try playing lead over the top on a second guitar using similar settings and you'll have trouble hearing the lead part -- it disappears into the mix too much. Try dropping the bass control a little and giving more of the mid section. By itself, it's not likely to be the sort of tone many guitarists would search for, but combined with the warm tone of the mid-scooped rhythm part, it sound great. Many of the harsh mids will be nicely rounded off too.

Essentially what we've done is create a significant amount of contrast between the two parts. They're still fighting each other for the same piece of air, but they'll seem to cooperate a little better.

Panning

When recording multiple tracks, try to create an interesting soundscape using the pan control on your mixing equipment/software. Using the example of recording two guitar parts, have one guitar part panned a little to the left and one a little to the right. There's probably no reason to go too far, but what's the point in creating a stereo recording with everything panned dead centre?