recording session management
TRANSCRIPT
The Recording Session
• Recording Session Management is an an essential component of your
practice as Sound Engineers and Music Producers.
• The studio environment is your place of work and you must have a
‘planned’ strategy to operate effectively within it.
• Each session you conduct will enrich your practical knowledge of
recording.
Recording Studio Engineering
Studio Psychology
• The recording session is psychologically and physically demanding on
both artists, engineers & producers, but in different ways.
• Irrespective of which side of the glass you work on, you must continually
monitor session progress, the clock and the stress and performance levels
of all parties involved.
• Be prepared to take on different roles and responsibilities in the studio -
Gain experience of the process of recording from all perspectives and
your studio practice will be more balanced and robust.
The Artist’s Perspective
• Studio recording takes the artist outside of their usual context for
performance (i.e.The Stage or Rehearsal Room).
• The studio can be an alienating & artificial environment that counteracts the
psychological conditions conducive to reproducing credible, expressive
performances.
• Even experienced recording artists can suffer pre-session anxiety.
• Artist stress can manifest itself quickly in the studio, look for the overt signs.
The Artist’s Perspective
• Artist stress is either an enemy or friend of the music producer.
• A little stress can raise performance levels to the optimum (e.g. Stage
Performance).
• Too much stress, and performance degrades rapidly - The ‘Snowball’ effect.
• Alleviate excessive performance anxiety with positive reinforcement &
encouragement.
• Take ‘time-outs’ where necessary.
The Artist’s Perspective
• Artists need to feel that you are in control of the sequence of studio activities at
all times.
• Give them reasons to feel confident in your abilities - It will alleviate their
anxiety.
• If there is a problem, deal with it quickly, positively and reassure the artist.
• Monitor your tone of communication and body language - If you feel stressed
you must hide it from the artist - a professional attitude!
• Take a ‘time-out’ if you really need to.
Artist Indulgence
• Remember - the clock is always against you.
• Don’t expect artists to be aware of the time that various studio activities
take.
• If an artist makes a reasonable suggestion, it’s prudent production practice
to give them the opportunity to try something out, even if you know it
probably won’t work!
• Decide a cut-off point for such creative departures and build into your plan
some contingency for them.
A Planned Strategy
• Most recording sessions follow a typical pattern or sequence of activities.
• Having a basic template for the agenda of a recording session is your
starting point for planning a more tailored strategy.
• Agree the strategy in advance with the recording team and inform the
artists or their management of the session time, duration, location & any
technical requirements.
Pre-production for Producers
• Research the Artist: Call them or meet them if possible, see them live or
rehearsing. Get a feel for their work and approach. Make an assessment of
studio experience and anticipated session conduct.
• Research the Music: For each track you will record - know the song structure,
key, BPM, time signature and arrangement, noting any overdubs that will be
required (e.g Solo’s & Backing Vox).
• Research the artist’s equipment & sounds.
The Recording Session
Activity Artists / Producer Session Engineers
1. Meet and Greet Producer meets artists and escorts them to the studio
Producer informs the artists about the agenda for the session
Live room engineers clear the studio space and get all equipment inc. mics & cables into the live room
Console room engineers setup a new session and verify operational capability of Software and Desk
2. Setup Producer discusses with band and live room engineers the setup of the live room and positioning of artists & equipment
Live room engineers assist in the positioning of artists and equipment. Place & connect mics to control room via wall box. Remember cable management!
Control room engineers verify signal chain to live room mics is working ok
(Continued on next slide)
The Recording SessionActivity Artists / Producer Session Engineers
3. Mic positioning & Foldback
Producer works with artists to get correct instrument soundProducer and artists monitor sound via headphones / foldback system
Producer visits control room to check on sound
Live room engineers adjust mic placements and setup foldback system giving headphones to artists. Set basic levels.
Control room engineers set up all tracks and initial input levels for signals (gain) and advise producer and live room engineers on mic placement
4. Set Recording Levels Ongoing adjustment of instrument sound and foldback. Individual sound checks on all sources
Producer works in control room with engineers to adjust the sound, informing the artist via talkback
Live room engineers stay in position ready to make any adjustments to mic positions. Instruments and foldback
Control room engineers adjust signal levels and obtain a working recording level mix. Foldback adjustments. Preparation for recording a test take
(Continued on next slide)
The Recording Session
Activity Artists / Producer Session Engineers
5. Test Take / Rehearsal Producer works from control room and informs the band to go for a rehearsal take (could also be a rehearsal for a guide track take)
Producer goes into live room after take and checks artists are happy
Live room engineers leave the live room but stay on station ready to make any adjustmentsControl room engineers record the test take (it could be good). Playback with producer to check on levels, signal noise or spill.
Make any necessary adjustments before proceeding
6. Going for a Take! - Recording Tracks
Producer speaks to the band and instructs the artists that you are going to record a take
Repeat as necessary for all tracks & O-dubs, giving refreshment / rest breaks where appropriate
Live room engineers stay on station ready to make any adjustments. Make detailed notes of mic setups used. Control room engineers record takes and save the session after each take, making signal level adjustments and edits on the fly
(Continued on next slide)
MO1 SO1 Audio Engineering
The Recording Session
Activity Artists & Producer Session Engineers
7. Session Review Artists and Producer listen to a selection of recordings in the control room. Discuss any mixing & post-production strategies going forward
Live room engineers begin the breakdown of mics and cables
Control room engineers playback the recordings to artists and producer, creating a rough mix on the fly. Create an export of the rough mix if required for the artists
8. Session Wrap Producer makes final arrangements with artists for more recording or a mixing session & handover
Producer escorts artists from the studio
Live room engineers complete room breakdown and tidy up. Assist artists with their equipment. Control room engineers save and back up the session data and then assist live room engineers with live room breakdown
Remember to leave both the control and live rooms in good order. Tidy up! Return all microphones, cables and amps to the studio technicians. All cables must be correctly coiled. Inform the technicians of any faults or operational issues with studio equipment.
Recording Session Roles
• A successful recording session requires strong teamwork, a division of labour, and responsibilities assigned to predefined roles.
• Time pressures necessitate that different activities must take place in parallel (see previous slides).
• Everyone should know their job and responsibilities.
• Leave your ego at the door!
• Be patient with each other and help out when you notice that assistance is required.
• Don’t wait to be told to do something when you already know what is required.
• Good engineers and producers anticipate needs.
Studio Roles - Live Room Engineers
• You own the live room!
• Responsibility for microphone setup, cable mgt, foldback, instrument / artist
position and amplification adjustment.
• Leave one set of headphones for yourselves so you can take instruction from
the control room.
• Room setup and breakdown including the return of equipment is your
responsibility.
• Be ‘friendly’ to the artists and get their appraisal of the sound - pass this info
back.
Studio Roles - Control Room Engineers • Control room engineers operate the recording studio desk, control surfaces &
software.
• Responsibility for setting up - the session files and storage, recording chain, gain controls & signal levels.
• You record the takes, making regular saves and edits on the fly. You trace and solve problems in the recording chain.
• You work the with producer with regards to obtaining clean input signals and the right sound.
• A successful production starts with good source!
• You pass instructions to the Live room engineers and listen to their feedback.
• You must always be one step ahead in the sequence.
Studio Roles - The Producer• You are in charge, you conduct and regulate the sequence of activities
according to the session plan and clock.
• You pass instruction to your engineers but also trust them to get on with their jobs. Don’t overly interfere but remind everyone of their responsibilities.
• Your first responsibility is to your artist - listen to them.
• You must monitor artist psychological and physical well-being and do what you can to assist them.
• It’s down to you to control the environment & conditions of recording in order to facilitate quality musical performances. Issue ‘time-outs’ if required.
• You must have a ‘vision’ for how you want the music to sound - Engage in research & pre-production.
