Every engineer/producer has, at some point in the new amazing digital era of recording. Heard the phrase “can you fix it in the mix”. This has become as cliched for modern music production as the drunk guy yelling out “Freebird!” at your local bar gig. Gone are the analog days of big studios with amazing musicians who cut the music on the floor live to tape and had to nail it right there and then. Now don’t get me wrong, there has always been slight editing and production even in the days of 6 track recorders and Elvis, but with analog tape, there was really not a lot of fixing to be done once it was recorded. Musicians and productions had to be prepared and ready to put it down right there and then.
So how did we get to musicians who put in a lackluster performance and expect the producer/engineer to fix their mistakes and make it sound huge? After all, we are in the digital nirvana of affordable equipment, and amazing editing and production tools to the point where you can make the next radio hit in your room with your laptop and some software. Here is a slight overview and some tips for a better-sounding production outside of the gear and engineering techniques.
1. Be prepared and get into the tape mindset
As I mentioned above, we truly are in the golden age of gear. There are thousands of amazing plugins and software on the market today that can take you from Abbey Road to 80’s synth heaven to the most brutal Norwegian death metal and everything in between. Gear has also become incredibly affordable and even the entry-level producers and home studios can achieve amazing results. There is one thing that has lacked behind while the technology has whizzed past – the craft. The craft of production and musicianship has gone by the wayside with the ability to edit drum tracks in time, fix bum notes on instruments, and take your vocals from average to amazing with autotune.
The first tip to improve your craft is to listen, experiment and practise. The 10 000 hour rule is not a myth but a real thing. You will be amazed how much a skilled musician, producer, and engineer can make when they have put in the time and honed their craft, and know what to do. They not only deliver better performances but can help with suggestions, add input or even lend more magic to get that thing you have been missing in the project.
When you record a band, for example, a band who is prepared and practised regularly will just sound better, tighter, and know their music better walking in the studio. The usual rockstars wannabes who expect you to make their 5-watt amplifier sound like Jimi Hendrix’s wall of Marshalls at Woodstock, on the other hand, might not sound as great as they think.
Engineers who have been the lackeys and have built themselves up from the bottom will work more efficiently, know the nature of the studio better, and deliver the goods. Chances are that these engineers will be much better than the kid who just graduated from audio college and expects to mix Metallica at Wembley stadium.
So the tape mentality is: get it down before you record, know the project and what you have to add to it, and practise before you press record. This leads to tip number 2.
2. Listen, and get it right at the source
This is also something that has been put to the back seat in the modern digital age with musicians being able to perform with tracks, midi triggers, and digital ecstasy. We have loopers, harmony pedals, and the power to have a whole band or orchestra in your room.
But do we really listen? A great way to beef up your production is to listen to music and take in why you like it. Try to nail the sound and play around to achieve it. You learn so much from messing around with sounds, gear, instruments by seeing how they interact, their relation in the mix with one another, and the frequency spectrum they occupy. A great way to play around and expand your ear is to get the stems of your favourite tracks and attempt to mix them yourself.
The source…this is a big one. You can have the best mics, preamps, mixer, and even live room in the world. If the original source (guitars, drums, vocals, keyboards, etc.) is not good, in time, or grooving, nothing can save you. Although you can still perform miracles, it won’t have the same impact as a great source. This does not necessarily mean that you have to spend millions but there are some basic things to keep the source good. Keep your music equipment well serviced and in good shape. A controlled room without too much temperature fluctuation, with a 6 – 8 month regular service of amps, guitars, etc. will go a long way. Keep your drumset tuned and also fresh skins for a project goes a long way for tightening up your drum sound. Keep your mics serviced and in safe storage and they will not let you down.
In conclusion
The studio and gear are always half of the equation. The rest is an experienced engineer, good producer, and skillful musicians to make your project pop. The great thing is that all these skills can be learned and mastered through practice. It is a very rewarding and awesome journey delving into your passion and getting deeper into your craft. With amazing platforms like YouTube, where you can really learn from the masters, the world is your oyster.
Listen, practice, and enjoy the ride!
