Track 1 (Guitar-based band production)
Pre production
We struggled as a group to organise a guitar based band. Eventually we organised one in the Christmas break. This was poor planning and something we should’ve organised sooner. We kept having issues of thinking we had a band and then someone couldn’t do it. This led to us using Jamie’s band which included Jamie on the vocals himself.
Mics were set up before everyone arrived so we could be prepared. However problems arose as we couldn’t get the click due to issues with the equipment and how the desk was set up. When discussing this with the band they said that they would just prefer to play without a click and use the drummer to keep the tempo instead.
Recording
Mic list
For the drum kit we used an Audix D6, AKGD112, SM57s, MD421s, which are able to capture high SPL. They are also renowned mics for drum kit purposes. Condenser mics are used like a pair of AKGC414s on the overheads and KM184s for the ride and hat. The drums used the wallbox on the farside of the recording room.
For the guitars DI boxes were used on the bass and acoustic guitar. Electric Guitar used an SM57 and a 414.
Vocals were captured with an SM7B. This microphone gives a smooth vocal using its condenser attachment to pick up vocals even better. Finally a room mic was able to capture the live performance giving it a more live feeling to the listener, with a Sontromics Orpheus. Alot of these mics resemble the ones used in the jazz recording.
The vocal was re recorded in 116A with the same SM7B microphone. This gave us a doulbe for the vocal and a better recorded vocal take.
Here are some photos Sam sent to the Teams Chat.
Musician Management
Musician management was much trickier than the jazz ensemble due to different circumstances, the main difference being our production member Jamie was in the band performing whilst trying to produce at the same time. This meant sometimes Jamie was going back and forth both the control and live room for certain things.
Mix
For the independent mix I initially did a rough levelling before using EQ on each track to highlight frequencies that i wanted to stand out and punch through whereas reduce frequencies that could cause muddiness. This was effective at reducing background noise like drums in other microphones dedicated to other instruments. Each plug in used is a logic stock plug in since I cant afford any other plugins.
Compressors – I used compression widely to compact the recordings.
I panned the guitars left and right, I panned the drum parts. The kicks and bass were not panned because i like the low end to be in the middle and the high end to fill the space in the mix.
I noticed the vocal at the last chorus was out of tune. I tried to flex pitch it on Logic pro but it was too out of tune for it to sound good on pitch correction. To make this better, I removed flex pitch and reduced the response time on the autotune I was using. This stopped the auto tune being too heavy and making the vocal sound worse in the out of pitch parts. I didn’t use a previous chorus to replace it because the singing sounds like the vocalist wants the pitch to be higher at the end for more energy.
Post Production
Many improvements could’ve been made. Sound checking the mics with accurate adjustments during takes could’ve been done to improve the spill in the microphones and we should’ve recognised that the vocal was too quiet. This led to the vocal being re recorded separately. Without it being inefficient with time, it did improve the production, due to no spill from other instruments on the new vocal take.
Managing time was hard with a production member being in the band and the late in holiday session.
Live in the studio (jazz/folk ensemble)
Pre production
The Jazz ensemble we invited to the studio were performing a piece they had already practiced. This meant no rehearsals were needed in the studio. This benefitted us as we had therefore had more time to capture multiple takes of the group’s performance. They did have some practice takes to get things right in parts they struggled with in the recordings.
The track development was carefully chosen by the performers, starting with scat vocals before transitioning to normal vocals. There is a drum solo in the track too. Due to Jazz’s improvisation techniques/feel we were happy to include these features in our recording.
To plan the session, we booked a 6 hour studio session from 4-6. The band had been organised to arrive at approximately 6pm. The 2 hours before they arrived mics were set up to save time and be prepared. The day before a mic list was prepared so we knew which ones we needed.
Recording
Mic list
Mic list
The D6 and D112 mics were chosen due to their high SPl capabilites and effectiveness in capturing low end. Both mics are of the dynamic type and reduce the need for EQ.
The Sm57 was used for snares due to its mid range focus. It’s dynamic make means it can handle high SPL.
The MD421’s gave the Toms clarity.
KM184s were assigned to the hat and ride. Being a small diagprham condenser mic they give a transparaent detailed sound to the high end.
C414s were used.
Sontronics Orpheus used as a room mic to capture the live sound better.
KM184 and AKG C414 used for capturing slightly higher and lower end from the double bass.
SM7B used on the vocals for a warm smooth sound which excels at rejecting background sound. Give’s the vocals better clarity and the warmer tone suits the piece.
Drums were set at the back of room. 113. The piano was captured at the other end of the room
Double bass was recorded in the centre to the left and vocals to the right. The Orpheus was located in the centre of the room. This gave even spaces between each microphone instrument setup.
Here are some photos I took and sent to the Teams groupchat.
Musician management.
The muscians were greeted and they went to set up.
Time was spent organising with the musicians to check sound levels on each mic and adjusting gain with PFL.
After some takes the band needed a break. Around half an hour was spent chatting to the band and joking. This helped relieve pressure on the band for good performances. The vocalist was struggling with a sore throat. The band was also making some mistakes so this helped them decompress.
They returned to the studio and did another 3 or so takes.
Mix
EQ was applied live to the recording. This helped us create a good sound to listen to.
The D241 compressor was applied to the vocals and reverb.
Mangement
No one in the studio was assigned a specific role except the musicians playing their instruments. This meant 3 of us were in the studio and who sat at the desk had alternated throughout the session. Jamie knew the musicians best and so did most of the communicating. We discussed the quality of the track as they performed it, and what we could do or suggest to the musicians to improve the next take.
Estimated Time list:
4-6pm Mic setting up and headphone checks.
6-7pm Sound checking with muscians – adjusting headphone mixes and addressing unexpected issues.
7-8pm – Live recording of multiple takes
8pm – Mucians break – chatting in the control room
8:30pm – 9:20pm – More takes for the recording.
9:20pm – 10pm – Packing up the studio equipment.
Track 3 Remix track
Pre production
I had pre written a chord progression to fit with the vocals. I had planned the remix in a different key, moving from e minor to A minor. I did this because my piano capabilities are not great, and so Aminor would be the easiest key for me to play.
I developed the piece to be more aggressive and full in the chorus. I knew synthesis would be key in this track to fit it’s genre. I chose a house style track, because i thought the vocals would not sound good in a genre like metal for example.
Recording
When recording the live instruments I booked a studio session for 3 hours. I recorded live piano chords and bass. Unfortunately, these takes were lost, due to an IT mistake where my audio files were not transferred over to my project on my memory stick. This meant I wasted a studio session.
To solve this problem I had to record live guitar and bass instead at my home during Christmas Break. This means my audio recording will be less quality due to factors such as mic versatility and recording environment.
I then used synthesis and drum one shots to fit the dance genre of music. This means the famous 909 kick was used etc.
The vocal was pitched up and down. It was cropped to fit timing and have repeated echoes in parts. This gave the dance genre vibe.
Mix
Guitar strums, Synths were panned left and right.
Low end wasn’t panned.
EQs, Compressors applied, and saturation applied. Reverb using buses.
Post production
I don’t like this track, it’s poorly written. Planning was bad since i didn’t have a good backup for losing my files. I think I adapted well.
