Q5: How do you approach pro multitrack recording?

A: Drums are first to be recorded. The snare, kick will be miked by dynamic mics, overheads and toms by condenser mics. All such mics shall be routed to the audio interface with 32-bit quality. Each pass of recording will generate 6-9 separate drum tracks into the mixer software (one track for snare, one track for kick etc..). The advantage of this, is that each drum track can be separately processed, as opposed to processing one single drum track (like what happens in simultaneous recording).

While the drummer is recording, he will be accompanied by a guide instrument and vocal and such rough “guides” will also be simultaneously and separately recorded with the drum tracks. The person doing the guides will be in the separate room of console so as to assure that the guide tracks won’t bleed into the drum mics in the studio proper room.

After recording the drums, the sound engineer will then fix the timing and tempo of the tracks. Once the timing and tempo are fixed and finalized, then the other instruments will be recorded (bass, guitars, keyboards), the sequence of which will be the decision of the artist. Bass is preferred next to drums. Recording can be done either in the studio proper or in the console.

Once all instruments are recorded, vocals will then be lastly recorded and the vocalist will be recording in the studio proper for better isolation. Of course, the artist can just record the drums, or just some of the other instruments while deciding not to proceed to record the other instruments. The multitrack recording rate remains the same.

When all tracks are recorded, the artist now then has a choice whether to ask the studio engineer to save or archive all the recorded tracks in a CD, or ask the sound engineer to proceed with the additional service of initial mix and mastering. See Question and Answer 10 on the difference between initial mix and client sit-in mix and Question and Answer 11 on archiving.

 

Q6:What is the difference between demo singletrack  recording and pro multitrack recording, in terms of final outcome of the song?

A: In demo singletrack recording, the final mix of the song is already what you recorded. In pro multitrack recording, what you recorded will be subjected to further editing, which will correct musician errors, and further mixing (initial mix and client sit-in) to achieve a tight and coherent sound.

In essence, pro multitrack recording is more geared to perfection, which is quite important if you intend to publicize it (radio play, album etc). Demo singletrack recording is more of a rough draft in the sense that artist error will be audible. But this is not to say that a demo singletrack recording cannot be played on radio. Some hit songs are actually merely demo singletracks. It is just said that pro multitrack recording has a greater chance of impressing the listener.

 

Q7. Is there a difference in quality between demo multitrack recording, and pro multitrack recording?

Since demo multitrack recording contemplates simultaneous recording of all instruments, there will be mic bleeding (e.g. gtrs will be heard on drum tracks etc.), which in most instances would limit editing capabilities. Like demo singletrack recording, demo multitrack also courts a higher probability of an imperfect take (meaning that a mistake by the drummer will ruin a perfect take of the guitarist or bassist and so on and so forth).

For best results, Sonic Factory recommends pro multitrack recording where instruments are recorded one at a time in order to tackle retakes and mistakes efficiently and minimize mic bleeding, carving a perfect environment for flexible mixing.