HELP, tracking musicians who can't play?

[Devon8822]

I'm currently recording a musician in a band who's music is technically beyond his abilities to play cleanly/consistently. We have spent the past 2 days redundantly recording takes and we are about 4 riffs into a single song. This cannot go on. We have been punching in and cycle recording as small of a section as 2 bars at a time, and he just cant get a good take... What can I do? I just want to be done with this. Is it possible to track one note at a time? Any other tips? Thanks!

 

[C_F_H_13]

I'm currently recording a musician in a band who's music is technically beyond his abilities to play cleanly/consistently. We have spent the past 2 days redundantly recording takes and we are about 4 riffs into a single song. This cannot go on. We have been punching in and cycle recording as small of a section as 2 bars at a time, and he just cant get a good take... What can I do? I just want to be done with this. Is it possible to track one note at a time? Any other tips? Thanks!

Welcome to the wonderful world of making records.

A few tips that may or may not help.

1- have someone else track it (seriously)
2- track it yourself (seriously)
3- track it in the smallest increments possible, then edit it.
4- Try tracking the song a few bpm slower, then editing to the right tempo. It sounds like this guy has no feel so you'll be doing him a favor.
5- have someone else track it.

I know I'm kind of being a dick about the someone else thing, but seriously 2 days and 4 riffs in one song isn't even laughable. It's just wrong. If you can't at the very least complete the main rhythms on AT LEAST 1 song in a day, there's a major problem.

Ultimately my suggestion is to either do something behind their back to get it done, or come right out an have a discussion about it, or say "who gives a fuck" and keep going.

Chances are if a band sucks so bad they can't finish one song, no one is gonna hear the record and say "god who recorded this?". They'll say "well that sucked".

hope it helps.

 

[Devon8822]

Thanks man, these are helpful tips, I may have to go at it myself.

 

[rotebass]

Are they paying hourly? lol

 

[Zack Uidl]

If someone wanted to record with me or my assistant and they were that bad, I would honestly just tell them that they are not ready to record and tell them to come back when they are ready. I have never had this happen personally, but my time far to valuable to waste on something like this.

 

[rob w]

If someone wanted to record with me or my assistant and they were that bad, I would honestly just tell them that they are not ready to record and tell them to come back when they are ready. I have never had this happen personally, but my time far to valuable to waste on something like this.

+ one billion! Amen to that!
Also, if there's another guitarist, get them to do it. Same player on each side sounds tighter anyway (..AJFA).