pre production
- Thread starter FIXXXER
- Start date
JeffTD
Senhor Testiculo
It's for making a good record.
-Making sure the songs don't suck.
-Making sure the band is on the same page.
-Making sure everything goes as smoothly as possible during the recording progress.
-Getting you familiar with the songs to be able to better track them.
-Finding the right vibe and direction for the tracking to go in.
-Avoiding issues of "oh wait, we need 4 more bars of this part" during vocal/gtr/bass tracking.
-To get the tempo tracks and guide parts recorded correctly for the drummer to record to.
-Making sure the songs don't suck.
-Making sure the band is on the same page.
-Making sure everything goes as smoothly as possible during the recording progress.
-Getting you familiar with the songs to be able to better track them.
-Finding the right vibe and direction for the tracking to go in.
-Avoiding issues of "oh wait, we need 4 more bars of this part" during vocal/gtr/bass tracking.
-To get the tempo tracks and guide parts recorded correctly for the drummer to record to.
ahjteam
Anssi Tenhunen
crillemannen
Member
Mattayus
Sir Groove-A-Lot
It's basically something that I have learned (the hard way) that you absolutely NEED before you go anywhere near the big red button. I will never again track a band in a rush like I did these last guys without any pre-production. 7 hours work for 3 drum tracks? No thanks. That should have taken 4 at the very most, including setting up. My fault I guess, was too eager for the work to begin and they were having a tough time getting the time off from their day jobs, but yeah, no pre-production = horrible recording experiences 
JeffTD
Senhor Testiculo
It really helps in the details of things, and I've started doing full band pre-pro when I track stuff (that is, prog'd drums, single track gtrs/bass, usually let the vocalist go one way through and then punch in for stuff.
When you can start planning out where drum hits can accent certain strums or even vocal lines, or planning for punch ins on drum recording, it makes your life a lot easier in the end. The drums accenting other instrument is crucial IMO, as it's a huge part of a bands sound, but if you track drums first to just a single guitar track without any planning, you miss out on a huge opportunity to breathe more life and dynamics into the track with something as simple as a modified fill, some extra ghost notes, 1/2 bar stops, etc.
When you can start planning out where drum hits can accent certain strums or even vocal lines, or planning for punch ins on drum recording, it makes your life a lot easier in the end. The drums accenting other instrument is crucial IMO, as it's a huge part of a bands sound, but if you track drums first to just a single guitar track without any planning, you miss out on a huge opportunity to breathe more life and dynamics into the track with something as simple as a modified fill, some extra ghost notes, 1/2 bar stops, etc.
DanLights
Santa Hat Forever
Any Producer can take care of Preproduction duties I think, but I don't there is such things as a "Preproduction Engineer" specifically. I can help you as much as many people here could, how are your demos done? Guitar Pro? Midi? just bedroom recorded? programmed drums? Don't wanna go offtopic, you can hit me with a Pm if you want.
On topic, yes what Jeff said is a pretty detailed list. In case it isn't 100% clear, making, breaking, changing arrangements is something better done in preproduction (keyboards, second guitars, vocal arrangements, etc.)
On topic, yes what Jeff said is a pretty detailed list. In case it isn't 100% clear, making, breaking, changing arrangements is something better done in preproduction (keyboards, second guitars, vocal arrangements, etc.)
C_F_H_13
Protools Guru
+1 to everything Jeff said.
Only thing I'd add is that prepro is where I figure out where the weak link(s) are in the band, and who will be the most difficult to track. Seems kind of negative, but if you see an obvious problem in prepro, you can plan accordingly.
I've re adjusted my studio schedule on more then one occasion because I became aware of someones lack of ability before hand. If a bass player is incredibly sloppy in his fast picking, I might have to plan for an extra day then I anticipated. If I didn't do the prepro, it might totally fuck my whole schedule.
Another thing prepro is good for, is getting to know the band and making them feel comfortable with you. Rehearsal is the perfect time to crack a few beers, make some jokes, and make them feel that you are cool (or whatever) and you are on their side.
Only thing I'd add is that prepro is where I figure out where the weak link(s) are in the band, and who will be the most difficult to track. Seems kind of negative, but if you see an obvious problem in prepro, you can plan accordingly.
I've re adjusted my studio schedule on more then one occasion because I became aware of someones lack of ability before hand. If a bass player is incredibly sloppy in his fast picking, I might have to plan for an extra day then I anticipated. If I didn't do the prepro, it might totally fuck my whole schedule.
Another thing prepro is good for, is getting to know the band and making them feel comfortable with you. Rehearsal is the perfect time to crack a few beers, make some jokes, and make them feel that you are cool (or whatever) and you are on their side.
DanLights
Santa Hat Forever
AllanD said:
Sure thing, I'll be expecting!
C_F_H_13 said:
This is important as well IMO. It also helps for you as a producer to "get" the feeling of what the band is trying to do, put yourself in their shoes and see their vision (if any if course), and convince them that you get them so they'll feel more comfortable around you and trust you more
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