datamusicata

“ Does anyone out there on the list serve have advice on getting a live,
relaxed sound on a studio recording?  I know this is one of the main
challenges in music.  It is easy to play live and improvise, and come up
with good stuff, and then go into a studio and make a lot of mistakes or
come out with something that sounds stiff. “ 

Saw this post today and thought that it was a good one to respond to.    How DOES one get relaxed in the studio without stepping over the legal boundaries those guardians of morality have set up for us all? 

There are several factors that can contribute to the over all atmosphere.    

The first is to be as prepared as you can possibly be.   If you are going to be doing solo’s, then have an idea of them (if not the actual solos themselves) of them already written.    If it’s vocals, then be warmed up before you get there and rested the from the night before so that your entire voice will be available to you.   If there are other players, then make certain that you have charts that are easy to follow for all the musicians and the engineer involved. 

When you are unprepared, you tend to be uptight, fearful, and so full of anxiety that you don't do your best.   Do everything that you can possibly do to be at your best when you get to the studio.

And a competent engineer is an important second factor.    If he or she knows what they are doing, then they permeate the air with their confidence and their expertise, and if they are smart they make certain that you are relaxed and feeling that you are in a safe place from which you can dig deep and come up with the goods. 

I remember taking an artist in to play for Irving Azoff.    The artist was sweating bullets on the way in there, but Irving came in and was as gracious and pleasant as he could be, asking the artist about himself and his work and generally putting the fellow at ease.    When the time was right, Irving asked what songs the artist brought for him to hear.    

So make sure that you have nurturing people around you.   If you like performing before an audience then bring some of them with you.    If you are uptight about people seeing you then make certain that no one but the essential people are in there with you. 

Set the lights low, or turn them off or make it as bright as you want.    Make yourself comfortable.   You will probably not be asking for anything that the engineer and/or producer has been asked before.    It’s about you.   You being in as warm and nurturing a place as you can be.    And a good engineer and/or producer knows that and will make certain that that’s the place that’s available for you when you show up. 

The third thing is actually part of the first thing.   If you are playing live with other people, make certain that you have all rehearsed and are, in fact, comfortable with each other.    You don’t need any drama in the studio, there’s pressure enough.    Focus on why you are there and what you want to have happen. 

If you have a tense or unpleasant experience, then you are at the wrong studio or are using the wrong people for what you want to do.    Everyone should be on the same page, going in the same direction and willing to do whatever it takes to help you achieve your vision; to help serve the song and the recording. 

And above all remember that no matter how much money you are paying to record, it’s not all the money there is.     If you waste a day in the studio, it’s not the end of the world.   It’s uncomfortable and it’s expensive, but it’s all part of the learning curve.     Don’t make yourself crazy trying to get everything exactly right on the first take and don’t get crazier if you have to do more takes. 

One of the things that seems to happen frequently is that you have cycles.    You’ll get into a down cycle and nothing you are doing is right, but stay loose and remember why you play music to begin with and you’ll get through the down cycle and start to groove. 

And if things are not jelling, then take five.   Go outside, breath the air, look at the stars, give thanks for all your blessings and then go back in.   The ghosts in the machines will disperse if you bless the project in your head and move forward with the faith that you are making something wonderful for all the people of the world to enjoy.   

  Also make yourself physically comfortable.    Not in a chair that is too high or too low, too hard, too soft, etc.    Make everything about being there comfortable for you physically.