The first thing to be recorded is generally the drums. You load in, set up and we tune the drums to achieve the desired tones. This generally takes the first 2-4 hours of a project that is to be fully produced. Then, the drummer will track thier parts. Sometimes, the drummer may track by themselves (happens most often when planning to record to a click track). Many times, someone (if not everyone) will play while the drums are being recorded on the first day. These tracks are generally concidered scractch tracks with fully produced projects. Usually, guitars, bass, etc. are to be re-recorded after the drums are completed. The vocalist being present for drum tracking can often be helpful as they can conduct the band and to make sure that there are no parts of songs left out (this actually happens with about one out of every five projects). The drum and the tones will be worked up and drum tracks should be recorded on the first day to three days of the recording. Generally, the drums will need to be quantized to a click track with full production record. This can take an hour per 1-3 min. of audio depending on hour complex and progressive the drum tracks are. If this is to be done, it obviously must be done before tracking anything else. I prefer that the rhythm guitars be tracked next if the band is a guitar driven band. Bass if they are a bass driven band. Keys, Horns, Percussion etc. can be recorded after the primary rhythm tracks are done if there are no parts that rhythm tracks have to sync to. Only the performers that are actually recording need be present to record their parts. No one needs to be present for the digital editing. Although, any member can attend at any time. I prefer that we keep guests to a minimum. A digital editing reference will be given to the bands for the approval of all editing and reconstruction. Samples can be added after the songs are mixed down unless there is a sample with a rhythm to sync to. It is also not necessary for anyone to be present for the mix. It is up to the band as far as who attends the mix session. I recommend that only one or two people attend the mix session. Select the person(s) that is the producer of the band. Someone who will listen the mix and not individual instruments. Someone who understands the collective compromise on how the band should be mixed. The mix can be done remotely by uploading references for the client to download and sending adjustment list. This is generally the best method to use for ensuring the mix sounds it's best outside the studio. I don't produce the band unless requested but I do produce the sounds and the mix because my name is going on it. Ultimately, whoever is commissioning the project has final say so with me so make sure that you guys and that person or those people are in an agreement with one another on how the project should sound.
-No Smoking inside the Basement. Food and Beer and such is fine but no smoking or drugs of any kind inside. Just keep any food and drink away from eqipment for obvious reasons. You can smoke outside no problem.
-Park only on studio property. No pulling into or parking in neighbor's driveways or yards. If parking seems difficult upon arrival, consult me about the options. There should be plenty. Keeping vistors to a minimum and carpooling when possible will keep this from being an issue.
-No coming before the scheduled session or hanging out after the scheduled session unless I am present.
-I do not provide sleeping space. Not inside or outside. No exceptions. Please don't even ask.
-Keep noise to a minimum if session go after 10:00pm as I have people sleeping upstairs. No loud instruments, TV or discussion.
-No loitering around the neighborhood. People tend to wander while talking ..phones and such which freaks some of the neighbors out for some reason. haha
-There is no provided lodging at the studio. There are many local hotels. Some are really affordable. Some are nicer. Just inquire if you are in need of lodging and I will give you the info.
-Sorry no band laundry. There is a washer in dryer in the lounge area but that is for personal use only. There is a great laundry mat a half a mile from the studio.
-Have fun and don't try to take it all too seriously. I think we all got in to music for the love and enjoyment of it so we should try to keep it that way even through the business aspect of things.
-I really hate to have all these rules. Just a too many inconciderate, disrespectful give and inch, take a mile type people in this business. A few have ruined it for all. Please, just be conciderate and respectful to me, my family and the neighbors and everything with be cool.
The recommendations and requests that I have are as follows:
-discuss the sounds, production and mix that the band, producer and commissioner are collectively going for and bring CD examples if possible
-have guitars and bass set up to eliminate problems with intonation, fret buzz and noisy pots and switches if possible
-make sure tube amp tubes are not too old
-buy new strings for both bass and guitars
-buy new attack heads for drums (have the drummer contact me about the proper drum head selection for the desired sound)
-check resonant heads (make sure they are matched single ply like Remo Ambassador and don't have any dents or holes) (snare side ambassador for Snare)
-check snare strands (no broken or loose strands)
-no broken cymbals (Ihave studio cymbal but I have a break it, you buy it policy)
-nylon tip sticks are probably best for heavy styles of music to get attack out of rides cymbals and such.
-get plenty of rest the nights before tracking (especially for vocals. People's vocals sound best for a span of six hours after the person has been up for three hours)
-have everything worked out (have completed lyrics and vocal melodies and/or patterns worked out, have guitar solos worked out, samples and extras worked out and collected) (impoving can run into hours of uncalculated recording time)
-record the material prior to coming into the studio on anything including a jam box, four track, hard disk recorder or computer recording software to point out weaknesses in performance and the material.
-Above and beyond all, come in with an open mind. Try to be as descriptive about your sounds as possible and let me do what is necessary to get those sounds even if that means tuning the drums and tweaking the amp tones.
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The Antimatter Studio
ABOUT THE STUDIO:
Whats up! My name is Jamie King. The Basement Recording is in reference to the audio engineering and production services that I provide out of my basement in Winston-Salem, NC. Ive been recording bands and individual musicians since about 1996. I started recording on a 4-track, then moved on to a couple of Adats and now I use a Protools system on Machintosh computer with some top of the line industry standard outboard gear and microphones. I generally specialize in recording and producing amateur to pro rock and metal (with all the relative genres) bands and musicians. My primary goal is to help bands and musicians (along with their respective label and or management) achieve an audio product that is professional sounding while incorporating the artists personal tastes in tones and audio production at the most affordable price possible. My experience as a musician in bands and previous dealings within the music industry have enabled me to provide advice and insight on many aspects of engineering and producing records for bands and musicians with many different goals. Ultimately, I feel that the commissioner of a record has final say on how the record should sound so I work really hard to give them the product that they want. I am continually striving to improve my abilities and sound quality while maintaining affordable rates. I feel that my product speaks for itself so feel free to check out other projects that Ive done to get an idea of what Im capable of. Check out some artists in which I have done work. You can find links to their myspace pages in my friends section. I will provide a list of bands that Ive worked with on this site. Please contact me for any questions and or booking. Thanks for considering my services.
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