I had to type something. I keep reading misguided statements about how certain bands wish to record raw, live, no triggers as tho this is a novel concept.
The main reason for having to go the pro tools route these days is lack of rehearsal and song writing not being complete. I can't remember the last time a band came to me with all 4 or 5 band members fully rehearsed, knowing exactly what they should be playing and all fully capable of playing their parts to a professional standard.
The labels maybe partly to blame for this also. The usual scenario is they want 12 songs (4 more than the glory days) all recorded and mixed in less time than we used to get for 8 songs. This also waters down the creative input from the band and you can guarantee there's some scrabbling for lyrics for the obligatory japanese bonus track. The band are usually given 2 months or so to get this all written.
There was a different level of quality in the 80's where you'd go into the studio knowing your parts, practice was the only option and it paid off.
Why am I ranting? Well I see certain bands pointing the finger at me and fellow producers when I know damn well what I put into their albums and how it would have sounded without months of input and hard work from myself. Had said bands come to me with more than 6 songs written lyrically and only half the band knowing the songs we could have taken a different approach.
Basically if you want the old school approach, put the effort in we ALL used to.
I would love nothing more than a band to be able to come into the studio and throw it down live, fully rehearsed, I'm waiting....
The main reason for having to go the pro tools route these days is lack of rehearsal and song writing not being complete. I can't remember the last time a band came to me with all 4 or 5 band members fully rehearsed, knowing exactly what they should be playing and all fully capable of playing their parts to a professional standard.
The labels maybe partly to blame for this also. The usual scenario is they want 12 songs (4 more than the glory days) all recorded and mixed in less time than we used to get for 8 songs. This also waters down the creative input from the band and you can guarantee there's some scrabbling for lyrics for the obligatory japanese bonus track. The band are usually given 2 months or so to get this all written.
There was a different level of quality in the 80's where you'd go into the studio knowing your parts, practice was the only option and it paid off.
Why am I ranting? Well I see certain bands pointing the finger at me and fellow producers when I know damn well what I put into their albums and how it would have sounded without months of input and hard work from myself. Had said bands come to me with more than 6 songs written lyrically and only half the band knowing the songs we could have taken a different approach.
Basically if you want the old school approach, put the effort in we ALL used to.
I would love nothing more than a band to be able to come into the studio and throw it down live, fully rehearsed, I'm waiting....
