Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

Self recording - it is humbling


Recommended Posts

My weekly trio sessions are a blast. We play for three hours. We have two accoustic guitars and a bass, and all three of us sing. We choose songs in our wheelhouse - ones that our level of talent/ability can manage. We try the usual formula : one sings lead/melody while the other two chime in on harmony/harmonies in choruses - a few duets. One guitar in first position, the other in third or fifth position. We work hard on our vocals. We polish a song and have a few beers. 

We have a really nice setup. We probably do not deserve the fine instruments we play.  It includes a Zoom L-20 mixing board. It is a pretty sophistocated digital mixer and recorder. When we are ready, we record our efforts. It is a great immedate feedback tool. But it is VERY humbling.  Any/all shortcomings are laid bare.  Sure, we have plenty of moments that shine. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and again.  It is especially revealing when we isolate one channel on playback.  Talk about walking around with your zipper down. When it is all played back together with EQ and effects, you can dress it up some. But, still......

It is a great learning tool and I am glad we use it.   When you look closely in the mirror, be prepared for anything you may see.

But we love doing this.

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

tlwalker,

In addition to being recorded a few times during  guitar lessons, I've been taped during the recitals I play in, and in every case, the results are cringe-worthy for me.

How anyone could be play a musical instrument for as long as I have, and be such a shitty musician is truly astonishing,

But like you, I play for my own amusement and enjoyment so will continue to keep on doing it.

RBSinTo

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm guessing that you are just being extra critical of yourselves. I mean, sure, if we compare ourselves to the people who do this sh!t for a living and practice/rehearse 8-10 hours a day, we will never match up. But for us folks who have real jobs and do this for pure enjoyment, I think we do pretty good. 

  • Like 1
  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/14/2024 at 7:55 AM, duane v said:

Recording by yourself is even worse. When I'm in control of the record button, it takes me at least 10 more takes to get it right. 

It's super-hard to excel at "wearing all of the hats" at once that are required to self-record. You have to mind the technical (engineering) side while simultaneously serving as producer (keeping in mind the direction and flow of the recording sessions and the overall view of the final work, being the objective "ear," etc.), and at the same time, focus on performing at your best. Frankly, it's something that only a few people really do well, which is why commercial studios, engineers, and producers have not all totally gone out of business. When you let them/us handle those other aspects, you (generalized "you," not you specifically, Duane) can focus on playing and not have to worry about those other things distracting you from that. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Music is an art form, and it’s also part of this thing called THE music business. Business is about $. Now as a fan of music there are albums I wish didn’t come out. Songs I would have told even my favorite bands/performers don’t record that. But I’m just a layman schmuck who loves music. As country artist today, Nashville is gonna tell you what they want recorded, and if you don’t like it, go down the street and see if Sony or RCA wants what you have. There is always gonna be a fan of Tay Tay no matter how bland and pop or commercial her music is. It just affects MILF’s and 13 year old girls a certain way down in their nether regions. People still listen to Garth Brooks. Why? Not sure. Even Kid Crock of S-hit had a career in music and dated Sheryl Crow. How many lame Rock band are still doing it? There is always gonna be a group, or performer someone loves. I’m a realist. After Going ForThe One, Yes were just awful. There is lots of stuff Zappa did I wish he didn’t. Zeppelin actually put out the album In Through The Out Door, cause we all needed a song to hold hands and roller skate too back in ‘79. There are probably 50 YT vids of phenom kids who can play Eruption to a T, but that’s it. They didn’t write it, and all they can do is imitate it. Think you can do what The Beatles did? I doubt it.

Edited by Sgt. Pepper
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm lucky, my musical partner keyboards player is an LA recording engineer. All I have to do is play my part right and stay with the click. Musch easier said than done. Sometimes when he is singing I need to hit the record button. I sometimes manage to screw it up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like Music, Recording is an Art. You got to put in your 10,000 hours for music. You got to put in your 10,000 hours for Recording. I’ve done that with both, maybe more, & I’m still far from satisfied. 

  • Like 1
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/16/2024 at 10:42 AM, Larsongs said:

Like Music, Recording is an Art. You got to put in your 10,000 hours for music. You got to put in your 10,000 hours for Recording. I’ve done that with both, maybe more, & I’m still far from satisfied. 

Gladwell, is that you?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...