Studio Tips

There are three main stages to recording a CD: track ing (recording), mixing , and mastering . With today’s technology, it is feasible to do all of these stages in a home studio environment. However, unless you are a solo artist working with synthesizers and “electronica,” you are likely to need professional studio help during one or more of these stages. This is due to the limitations of home studios when recording acoustic instruments and full-band lineups, as well as the engineering skills needed to track, mix, and master your music to a professional standard. Although some musicians are also good engineers, in my experience this is the exception, as the skills of engineers and musicians (though related) are not the same. The following comments assume that you are making a self-produced and self-financed CD; there has been a huge growth in these “independent” recordings in the 21st century, in all musical styles. Of course, if you are lucky enough to be signed to a major label, then some of the following constraints may not apply!

Most professional-level studios charge by the hour or by the day (typically ten hours). If you’re recording a band CD “from scratch,” you’re probably looking at a realistic maximum of four or five tunes per day when tracking, meaning at least two full days studio time for a CD of up to ten songs. Overdubs (extra parts added once the main tracks are in place) for vocals, instrumental solos, and any other parts, could also take a full day or more. These are basic minimums if you are on a budget, and, of course, your CD could take much more time depending on the nature of the project.

Before you take your band in to record, make sure you are thoroughly rehearsed, as a professional studio is a rather costly place to be wasting time! Your band should get to the studio in plenty of time to set up any equipment (especially the drummer, as the drum kit normally takes the longest to set up, mic, and sound check in the studio). All players in your band will have headphones on when “tracking.” Make sure you can hear enough of yourself and everyone else in your headphones. The engineer should be able to adjust your “headphone mix” as needed.

When all the tracking is done, then it’s time for mixing. This is when all of the individual tracks (piano, guitar, bass, drums, vocals, etc.) are balanced and combined into a stereo master (left and right) by the mixing engineer. For the “average” band CD (if there is such a thing!), you should allow a minimum of 2–3 hours per song for mixing. Of course, this will be more if your mixes are complex and involve a lot of layers. You don’t have to do the mixing at the same studio you “tracked” at. A lot of commercial CDs are tracked and mixed at different studios.

Since the late 20th century, hard disk-based recording systems (such as ProTools) have taken over from tape-based systems in many studios. These systems provide more flexibility and editing options in all stages of the recording process. Artists can also bring tracks they have created in their home or project studios into the “main studio” to dump into ProTools as a starting point for their songs.

When all the mixing is done, it’s time to “master” your record. This is the final “icing on the cake” that will make your CD sound professional and radio-ready! Some less experienced musicians make the mistake of missing out the mastering step, and just pressing CDs from the mixes. This may be OK for demos, but is not recommended for a full CD! Mastering is often done at special “mastering studios,” with the room and equipment specifically set up for that purpose. Mastering involves: overall level adjustments to make the whole CD consistent (and suitable for radio broadcast), overall EQ or tone color adjustments (for example, raising the level of the highest and lowest frequencies in commercial pop styles, to make the sound “pop out” when played on different systems), “topping and tailing” (cleaning up the beginnings and endings of the tunes as needed), and track spacing (determining the time between songs on the final CD).

When you have mastered your recording, then you finally need to manufacture your CDs to sell at gigs and over the internet (as well as any other distribution channels which are available). There are many companies offering CD manufacturing services for independent musicians, and one of the best-known is DiscMakers (www.discmakers.com). DiscMakers will take your master disc, band photos, text, and any design suggestions, then design your CD artwork and cover inhouse for your approval, before delivering bar-coded shrink-wrapped CDs on time and at a good price. I have used DiscMakers for two independent CDs, and would not hesitate to use them again. Another company very helpful to independent musicians is CDBaby (www.cdbaby.com). Their website is perhaps the best-known online store to buy and sell independent music on the internet. My CDs are on CDBaby, and I know a lot of other independent musicians who have CDs on there too!