I want to hear a hit!
Musicians are exciting. They are cool and talented and live in a world unknown to non-musicians.
This may not actually be the case but it is the impression singers, guitarists and banjo players get when they are asked to record their own material. Knowing that more than just the people in whatever room you are playing in at any one time will be able to listen to you, can have quite a profound effect on people, especially if they are a big ego waiting to explode…
This is why the recording process was created (not really you understand) in order to bring these hot shots down a peg or two. Here is what happens on a typical first trip to the studio.
Band Show Up Late
Bands think they are cool and are used to showing up late for sound check and practices so think nothing of showing up late for their recording/rock hall of fame entry ticket debut. Sound engineers however, are paid by the hour, so will show up nice and early and have the room warm and ready for the time the band were meant to show up. Bands typically waste their first few hours of recording time by being late, costing them more in the long run, or leaving less time for mixing.
They Get Nervous
Stage nerves are one thing that most bands get over after a few reasonable sized shows. They know that as long as they play loud and look excited they will get paid at the end of the night. However when confronted with the locked in feeling of a recording booth, the many microphones and wires surrounding them and a room of band mates peering through the glass at them, they will feel a new kind of nerves that will corrupt the skills of even an actually quite talented musician.
They Will Realise They’re Not That Good
The sound at gigs and practice studios are never perfect. Plus you only play through each song once and can gloss over mistakes by just carrying on. When you listen to a first recording back though, things like bad timing, flat notes, missed notes and awkward drum fills shine out like beacons of imperfection. It is a sobering experience to say the least.
Happiness
No matter what happens though as long as they come out with a recording of some description and can listen to it back in the car on the way home, there will be a big smile on their face as they realise they just cut a record in the recording studio. Woo Hoo!
Sam Qam previously held several music teacher jobs. He now owns a studio in which bands record and also has many musical instruments for sale.
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