Q8. Why is the hourly rate for demo multitrack recording higher than the rate for pro multitrack recording?

Set-up time and the cabling complexity related to demo multitrack recording justify the higher rate.

Q9: We are on a tight budget, how can we save on pro multitrack recording studio time?

A: Apart from coming in the studio prepared, thus saving time otherwise wasted for lengthy brainstorming/discussion with bandmates and endless takes due non-familiarity with the song, you can record some instruments outside the studio, whether in another studio, or better yet, your home. That way, you won’t be charged for pro multitrack recording time. Instead, you just bring the tracks you recorded at home (in wav format), and a separate track of the whole mix of the song, with the recently recorded track more pronounced, in order for the studio engineer to have a rough idea of what you want to do with the recently recorded track.

For example, if you feel that you play the lead guitar best alone and at home, without studio time pressure and absent the inconvenience of people looking at you while recording, you can record at home using your computer. In your computer, you should have a software program, which allows you to record your lead guitar parts while playing the guide song. After recording, you solo save the lead guitar track. So you have one wav track for the lead guitar only. Then you save both the lead guitar part and the guide song into another wav track, mixing the lead guitar louder than the guide song. Now you have 2 wav tracks to give to the engineer.

Among the instruments recommended to be recorded at home are the keyboards, bass, electric guitar, secondary back-up vocals, synths and effects. A quick tip on how to record such instruments would be, record at midlevel volume (not too quiet, not too loud), watch out for audible noise due to improper cable connections (inherent hums are ok), and save the files in wav format. For other detailed instructions, consult with the studio engineer.

It is not recommended to record the following instruments by yourself at home because they entail a more careful approach. So you must record these instruments in a pro studio (whether Sonic Factory or others).

1. Drums- coz this has to be recorded with 6-9 mics

2. Main vocals, acoustic guitar- needs utmost clarity so condenser mic and 24 bit soundcard is a must, unless you have a condenser and 24-bit soundcard, or unless it is ok for you to instead, just settle with a dynamic mic and 16-bit soundcard. The end product’s quality is actually up to you.

3. Main back up vox- the type of 2nd voice which is equal to the main vox in all aspects. Reason is the same as the main vox and acoustic guitar.

Since the above directive is just a recommendation, you can still record them at home, but don’t expect the studio engineer to be a magician and turn the quality of your recordings in par with those recorded with a 24-bit soundcard and a condenser.

Q10: What is the difference between recording and mixing?

A: Recording is the process of “capturing” the instruments you are playing, while mixing is the process of “blending” all these recordings into one cohesive song. An analogy would be a beverage. Putting all the ingredients in a glass is like recording, while deciding how much quantity per ingredient (how much water or salt be poured etc..) is like mixing.