What makes a great recording?
Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:10 am
Its a question I've been mulling as I am in the unusual position of having a (very) little pot of cash to spend but not really seeing how anything would add to my current setup - which isn't that flash but absolutely all I need to get my bottom-of-the-food-chain recording done.
So here's my top 10, for what it is is worth, in order
(1) Passion in the artist - someone who believes in what they are doing and can deliver emotion
(2) Talent in the artist - songwriting, musical ability
(3) A good producer - a clear vision for what the project is and what is expected
(4) A good space - so everyone is comfortable working there
(5) The right mic .... - get one that captures the performance
(6) In the right position ... placed to maximise the vibe
(7) Into the right preamp - match the pre's vibe to complement the mic
(8) Technical skills in recording, mixing and mastering - knowing what to listen for and how to fix it.
(9) The right mixing / mastering tools to get (5) done
(10) Money and commitment to see it through - prep, recording, mixing, mastering, distribution, promotion
Only four of these relate to gear (if, like me, you count the room as 'gear').
I'm a little conflicted about (10). In one sense, there is no recording without this so it should be higher up the list. I also think that (5) and (6) could be said to be captured by (8) - mic choice and placement are technical recording skills - but by (5) I mean having the actual mic and by (8) I mean for the sound engineer things like actually having hit record before the artist pulls some magic out of their hat.
As I ponder my gear list and setup, I would love to hear from wiser, more experienced heads about their list.
So here's my top 10, for what it is is worth, in order
(1) Passion in the artist - someone who believes in what they are doing and can deliver emotion
(2) Talent in the artist - songwriting, musical ability
(3) A good producer - a clear vision for what the project is and what is expected
(4) A good space - so everyone is comfortable working there
(5) The right mic .... - get one that captures the performance
(6) In the right position ... placed to maximise the vibe
(7) Into the right preamp - match the pre's vibe to complement the mic
(8) Technical skills in recording, mixing and mastering - knowing what to listen for and how to fix it.
(9) The right mixing / mastering tools to get (5) done
(10) Money and commitment to see it through - prep, recording, mixing, mastering, distribution, promotion
Only four of these relate to gear (if, like me, you count the room as 'gear').
I'm a little conflicted about (10). In one sense, there is no recording without this so it should be higher up the list. I also think that (5) and (6) could be said to be captured by (8) - mic choice and placement are technical recording skills - but by (5) I mean having the actual mic and by (8) I mean for the sound engineer things like actually having hit record before the artist pulls some magic out of their hat.
As I ponder my gear list and setup, I would love to hear from wiser, more experienced heads about their list.