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Brackish
- FB Fan -
142 Posts |
 Posted - 01/14/2003 : 22:06:49
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| Well hey guys. Like a lot of people on this board, I write and record my own music. One problem I have: I can play and/or sing a part perfectly like a hundred times, and then as soon as I go to record, I fuck up. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions? |
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Chris Knight
= Cult of Ray =
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2003 : 23:07:17
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The root of this problem is recording jitters, right? Here are a few possible solutions:
Try playing in front of an audience (family, friends, open-mic). Recording jitters is nothing compared to stage fright.
Record guitar and vocal separately(assuming you don't do this already).
Use punch-ins OR assemble a master take from portions recorded on parallel tracks(assuming you've a 4-track recorder).
Practice harder. ;) |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2003 : 23:21:59
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alcohol
i occasionally eat chateaubriand. |
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Atheist4Catholics
= Cult of Ray =
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2003 : 12:34:19
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This "red light" problem is pretty universal. As a producer, I always try to trick the artist into thinking we aren't rolling so they relax. I can't tell you how many times this has worked for me. I'd say 90% of the songs I've recorded have takes in them where the artist thought they were sound checking or just warming up. The key is to always be in record whenever you can. The last record I did I told the artist to just hang out and play the guitar while I got things set up next door. I ended up getting a whole song down in one take with just a room mic, and the performance is mind boggling.
This is harder to do when you're by yourself. Aside from alcohol (which is good for vocals, but not so good for rhythm tracks) you just have to find ways to make yourself comfortable and keep the process fresh. Try recording the song in a completely different way, then go back to the way you want to keep it. Let the tape roll and do several takes in a row without stopping and rewinding. If you're using a computer, turn the monitor off.
Just remember that each take doesn't have to be as good as the solo from "Stairway" Mistakes can add character to a track. If you don't like it in the end, you can always do it again. Everyone has made bad recordings, especially when they're starting out. It's a muscle you have to develop. Let the recording be what it is; a snapshot of you as a perfromer in a specific place and time.
www.mp3.com/clootie |
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johndietzel
= Cult of Ray =
Burkina Faso (Upper Volta)
464 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2003 : 15:35:48
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Not sure if this is a factor in your particular quandary, but also try not "monitoring" yourself (vox or instruments . . .) through headphones. Maybe that's a no-brainer, but when I hear my voice or the squeaks of my fingers on the strings of an acoustic, or my hands on a conga, it's like an aural microscope. It's almost like trying to talk to an AM radio host with your radio on. When I can just play and move around freely, I do better. Move your setup as far away from your device as possible too (if you think it might help you relax). Like if you have a long mic or guitar cable, use it to sit how/where you want. Maybe even have a favorite comedy show or other mood-establishing video stimulus on mute in the foreground. Try sex during vocals as well. Works well for the first little while, then it's perfect for like the "Sad Punk" vocals, and then you pretty much get disgusted by the thought of singing another note.
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"Music has sounded better and our hair has been smaller ever since."--St. Francis |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2003 : 18:19:16
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i hate making demos for that exact reason - my voice trembles and goes out of tune - i record everything else, wait until i get a burst of energy/confidence then do a vocal take practically jumping up and down as if onstage and try not to think that i'm recording.
its stupid, but it sorta works
-brian
as breathing flows my mind secedes... |
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misterwoe
= Cult of Ray =
Greece
675 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2003 : 08:25:38
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I've always found it helpful to record in the complete dark. Of course most of my stuff is so wierd and experimental you can't really tell when I make a mistake. As soon as it get it copyrighted I will upload my infamous witchhunt song. It is pretty cool, and it was recorded in the complete dark.
Leonard Cohen is cool.
"What the fuck are we doing in the desert?" |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2003 : 16:17:28
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| I find i'm often trying too hard to 'get it right'. Once i relax, and get in the 'whatever' mindset, i'm fine.. |
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theonecontender
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
565 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2003 : 16:19:14
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| Maybe you're just surprised to hear how you sound on tape. |
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Chris Knight
= Cult of Ray =
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2003 : 22:16:46
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| I'd like to hear your stuff, Mister Woe. I should have some "weird and experimental" mp3s for you guys to check out in, say, a couple months. |
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misterwoe
= Cult of Ray =
Greece
675 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2003 : 06:49:40
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No problem. I really want to re record some of it though. My drummer at the time couldn't keep a beat. As soon as I find a drummer I'll get things rolling again. Why is it so hard to find drummers!?!!!
Leonard Cohen is cool.
"What the fuck are we doing in the desert?" |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2003 : 09:34:26
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| Like Dave said, you gotta have a kinda "whatever" attitude. You have to be in the right state of mind to just say "fuck it" and rock out. I'm such a perfectionist that I freak out when I go to record and think to myself "OK, this is it...my one chance to get it right, here we go" and of course I fuck up a lot. You gotta just, I dunno...let go...pretend you're not actually recording. If you make a slight mistake, keep going. Maybe by the time the song is done you won't even notice it. |
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Brackish
- FB Fan -
142 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2003 : 18:50:44
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Thanks for all the suggestions. I read your input a few weeks back, but forgot to at least say thanks. (What a jerk I am!) My recording is going ok I guess. I'll have some mp3s ready soon, and when I do, I would love to get some opinions.
ps. athiest4catholics, I have actually tried to trick myself. Sad but true. I tell myself it's not a real take, I'm just testing to make sure the levels are ok. It helps a little. |
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