How to Record a Full Length Album (And How Not To)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 чер 2024
- ► Want more? Learn to mix better than ever before with our FREE workshop, "The Top 5 Habits of Truly Great Mixers": sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ◀
Justin Colletti evaluates the 3 primary ways to record a full length album and offers best practices gathered from 15 years studying how artists succeed in the 21st century.
For the text version, "How Long is This Gonna Take: The Time and Cost of Recording a Full Length Album", visit:
www.trustmeimascientist.com/20...
Being stabbed in the throat by my mic, like that, would drive me insane.
You are not alone, +daggergblue This was my very first video in this blog series. You won't see that numbskulled lav placement in any of the later installments.
ugh. didn't notice it until I read your comment. now all I can focus on is the flippin mic. ehehehehhhehe thank you
he seems way less comfortable than usual, lol
hahahaha
😂😂😂😂😂
This video is so damn accurate,
I used to be a drummer, had a crazy passion for it, I was watching drum covers daily so I wanted to record something to chuck up for people to see, 2 years later and all I care about is recording music, playing drums is just a side thing. This is really helpful information for all musicians that I collaborate with 👍
I'm 8 minutes into this, and I haven't yet heard a single bit of advice about "how to record a full length record and how not to."
Clickbait, they say
Was this an “introduction” to how to record an album?
Cause the video is over and I’m still waiting
I don't have words to say thank you🙏 I was about to make a mistake, record an album without building an audience🙁 I want to do it sooo bad and release it, but at 3am I was looking for advice on UA-cam and I found your super x10 helpful video 🙌🙌 I'm sooo glad that I watched this video, thank you a lot, you explained how should I proceed so clear😊 thank you from the bottom of my heart brother 🙏
Want fans? play out.
No scene nearby?
Want a following? Record basic stuff and put it online
Did all of the above and want to fully realize your stuff? go to a studio
basically all you need to know.
This is such a thoughtful and complete set of suggestions for musicians who are in this place in their journey. Kudos on the great video! Loved the talk about opportunity cost. That’s such an important aspect to all of this.
Thank you Justin! Very passionate vlog. Here's the approach of how me and my band record a vinyl album:
We don't give a damn about what happens with the album. We don't care to get an audience. We just love to write and record songs! We live and record to one rule: we don't say 'No' to an idea a band member proposes. No no's! :)
There is nothing better in this world than to go out to a studio or a garage and record your own songs. Buy some SM57's and record the crap out of your gear and play like it's your last day on earth. Enjoy every moment and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes lead to creative solutions.
Happy recording every one!
i wish i knew this before
If it takes you 10 days, you're terrible. Rehearse your material and get your shit together. You should have a recording. Gigging is great till the club you're trying to book says they need to hear your music first. If people like you at that show but can't buy your cd or download or stream it on the ride home they'll probably forget you within a few days. You need releasable material right away.
I dont agree with the whole "you became an audio guy". I think most artists now days are bedroom producers. Now that may not work for everyone and maybe you wont be the next big star but I think if you can do it go for it.
I don't agree with it either. When your a musician (like me) and working with a budget your bound to go over it just going to a recording studio recording a full length album. And there's a 50/50 chance that the producer will make it how you like it. I think every musician can benefit from producing their own music because in the long run you can save money buying the equipment you need and you can take your time making your album and you can make money producing other people's projects. Not everybody is made out of money.
Zachary, I'm sorry but you're full of shit my man. You're conflating a professional engineer with a traditional 'producer'. I'm in a band, signed to a major label, for all intensive purposes a 'pro'. At the very least I know a little about this. My band did our last record in a few HUGE studios but the album was self-produced. We had the help of the house engineer in each studio and hired our own 1st engineer. His job was to record what WE wanted (ahem, what I wanted). When I said "no, it has to sound dirtier" he adjusted the preamps or moved the mic, when I said "that's the take" we moved on. It's not like on TV where there's a controlling producer telling us how to play our instruments, how to sing and essentially writing the song himself. Maybe that happens in top40 pop and in the old days, but that's not what this video is about.
"Bedroom producers" are not the same as audio engineers. They might fiddle with mics and prosumer interfaces, but it's not the same thing as the studio-rats who either went to school for it and then spent 1000s of hours getting coffee and doing coke-runs for pro engineers/musicians in actual studios. Justin is telling you that people who chose that path have *committed* themselves to engineering and spend less time being musicians. Likewise it's best to focus on your craft if you're trying to make it as a musician. I can hold my own in the studio but I kinda regret not spending more time trying to up my songwriting game. Wish I had seen this video 10 years ago.
I'd say if your a band signed to a major label, this guy is right on but the truth is very few will ever make enough off their music to justify studio time. Not even one in a million will get that break. Most of us will sell a few hundred to a few thousand. You can make a decent studio for far less than 5000 dollors. For most musicians to remain in music we have to diversify. Learning recording can be fun and frustrating all at the same time. I love this guys videos but i say, unless you have a contract then build your own. If your ever given a contract then you will have a personal studio to work on ideas to then take to the big studio. Most big musicians have home studios even if they do their album at the big ones. A home studio is fun and opens up avenues of colaberation with others who will want to come hang out in your studio.
Interesting video. I agree with a lot of what was said, although I think recording and mixing helps a musician write better arrangements.
Melomania Pj
Love how this guy explains things I knew or didn't know. It feels like he experienced all this!
This was a great find full of really crucial information that has helped me immensely. Justin, I really enjoyed your breakdown and explanation.
they way you communicate all this is great. you're a true audio jedi
I for one am a musician / engineer where I gig, write music and do all my own recordings, mixing and producing in my home studio. The days of spending many hours and paying outrageous costs in a profession studio are less and less these days. Also you didn't mention the overabundance of studio musicians who do a fair amount of tracking in their home studio. This is certainly true for many Nashville players and song writers. This video sounds more like a promotion and validation for audio studio engineers with the mindset that a musician with a high degree of talent really cannot track, mix and master their own music in a home studio with successful results along with keeping the musicianship in the forefront.
I really needed to hear this. Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge
Enlightening and insightful as usual. 👏
Really massive great insight especially when it comes to those of us chasing that DIY idea. Too many musicians are trying to be everything at once and end up not really becoming anything because of all the hats they're trying to wear. Thank you so much for this video!
Love your honesty
I'm kind of in the middle, i love playing jazz guitar, piano and drums making demos, but still I want to be in charge of the mix.
Great video Justin! I have been debating these exact things, as I've certainly learned that DIY can compromise my time being spent as an artist. Although, I do think the DIY approach is a great way to start out because knowledge of gear and "sound" as an artist can be a power tool in the studio, there is a time to let go so that the best possible piece can be created.
Great advice. Thanks so much Justin. This has saved me in lots of ways.
You're a real inspiration, Justin,. Thank you immensely !!
Thank you for stopping by! Hope to see more of you around.
-Justin
This has helped me realise the mistakes I've been making. My goal this year is to record music, it's a simple goal when I read it like that, but I've tried so many times but my mindset has always been "let's find a studio and record ten songs!" or "I can record ten songs myself!" but neither have worked. I feel that the one song a day approach is the way forward, thank you for this video, this could be a turning point.
+Alex Montoya I should've made it clearer, I currently have no recorded material. I implied this in my original comment where I state 'neither have worked' in reference to the two mindsets.
More on this topic please! I love these vids targeted towards musicians like you addressed in the opening. I love all of it though.
Good thoughts, Justin.
Thanks, that was exactly what I needed
Amazing and inspiring advice. Thank you so much.
great advice!!
thank you so much for your wisdom!!
im now subscribed!!
keep the vids coming!
I was so happy to see tip number three. It's precisely what' I've been doing, writing and recording things in one day on my iphone and them uploading it to soundcloud
This is extremely helpful. The UA-cam Musician Advice signal is a dense space, with a sky-high noise floor. Much like this video.
What an amazing video!! Thank you so much!!!
This was really helpful
Thank you Thank you Thank you! This was extremely helpful!
Brilliant Justin!!! Tremendous advice!!!
nice. super helpful!
Awesome video sir. Thank you for sharing your insight.
Ishmael Hutson
Thanks for this, very very helpful.
Absolutely brilliant. Where were you when I was 17 years old
If you're liking Justin's instructional videos here on SonicScoop, you might like his new video course on mixing, called
"Mixing Breakthroughs". Check it out at mixingbreakthroughs.com
Great advice Joe! Thanks!
This is Justin in the video, but you're welcome!
This video helped me so much to help me to decide how to go forward with my projects. I have about 10 demos that I wrote myself so I am gonna take your advice and go with a professional production company and do 1 song at a time. Thanks
Hey Justin this is excellent advice. I was in the studio thinking I was going to be able too knock out a bunch of tunes and release an album this summer. I even put out a trailer for my very small audience. After I went in the studio I realized I rather focus on one excellent than doing things half ass. I'm taking this to heart and will have my first release done in a month or so. Great videos!
hey thanks you cleared a lot up for me
Your videos are great!
I appreciate the information. Thanks.
Excellent!
Good advices man, thank you!
Thanks for the advice!
awesome vid man bery helpful keep it up forsuree!
This is great! Thank you so much.
I became an audioperson/engineer sometime in 2009. I recorded my first song and since, I've engineered for others and started SquareNation Media, a record label in the Atlantic Region/DMV. Years of hard work and learning. I actually worked at a studio for a while. Started producing etc. General music guy now lol
This was awesome 👍
Yes I've become an audio person.😕
He said"i dont think it will be quicker lol.
I've wondered why it's all so overwhelming before. Now I understand a bit more. But my husband is the one who bought me a studio. But I havnt mastered the audio part.. so I constantly feel like the songs I have recorded, although they have quality equipment, I still never felt like they were radio quality. There is so much to sound engineering.
Great advices!
AWESOME!!!
Don Draper always gives the best advice! Thanks a ton! :)
thanks a lot, still helping!
really great video.
Solid advice
I've recorded 84 albums... I'm about to turn 44, and I'm gonna try to record 44 albums over the year. I cant wait to see this vid, thank you!
Thank You Sir
Thanks...I think you are correct
i love this. the way you talk reminds me of norm macdonald
That's really cool, especially near the ending of this video. That's the direction I feel Music should be going to. More artists, making "less" songs, in a way. Instead of the few who get burnt out, more artists having a more relaxing/organized approach to it. Not meaning it will be less work, but that all the work putting forward will mean more.
what you are doing is great.
The way we got rid of our box of a thousand was to go and tour it.
I need to start recording my album
As a session musicians where would your advice be in all of this? How should a musician react to being put under the microscope while essentailly sightreading? Or what about recording your track to send off to a producer and how to do that?
Maaan. Great advice
I don't entirely agree with everything being said here... 6 years ago I literally WAS that guy who went to school to learn how to make my own records. My band fell apart a year into the program and I became an audio guy until earlier this year when I decided to use what I'd learned to dust off some old songs and write some new ones, and the demos we've recorded at home so far sound fucking incredible! That being said, I made a point to get my moneys worth out of my education. I wasn't a prodigy but I sought out and took on opportunities that other people didn't and put a concerted effort into building relationships. Those relationships allowed me to mentor with some incredible people and those peoples recommendations got me jobs working with a handful of heavy hitters I won't namedrop here. I'm a few days shy of 30 years old but I can affirmatively say I'm very grateful to have progressed more as a song writer, engineer/producer, manager, and well-rounded music business professional than I would have had I stuck to being strictly a guitar player, and I'm infinitely more prepared to take on the music scene as I am now than as I was when I was a foolhardy 24 year old!! I understand some people don't have the resources for that, in which case there is a plethora of content online for the motivated self-starter looking to make it big, but if you have the chance or are willing to take the risk involved, the word "worthwhile" hardly does it justice 8-)
Very good point about not becoming an audio guy and staying in the making music mode...I haven't gotten much done at all my self trying to make sure i have all the right gear...convincing my self i don't need all this fancy stuff because iv e spent so much time looking at gear rather than practicing! Then trying to get the right mic placements on the amps and ect ect! your right...letting them make decisions for you speeds everything up! However the benefit is that if you look at producing and mixing as an instrument you have full control.
this helped me so muuch.... I was about to publish an album, but i had no audience.
i started to perform on a caffe shop. Now that I have enough audience, i'm earning money to make my own show on my city.
great smart video
It's 2020, can someone tell me what a cd is?
Great vid!
Good material.
I see musicians shoot themselves in the foot day after day on Social Media, as I did back in the late 80s in venues, from being so stubborn about parting with any sort of money or control when they end up with less than they could have gotten with using specialists who are eager to help.
#1 Start with a Record Producer (not a kid with Reaper and some Plugins making Beatz)
#2 Work to develop the Act & Material
#3 Practice that material as it needs to be for the record
#4 Record it
#5 Let the Mix Engineer (who may or may not be the studio or Producer guy) Mix the material
#6 Get it Mastered
#7 Whilst all of this is happening, work on Album Cover, Videos, Promotion, Shows, Tours...
BTW I started as an Audio Guy but found to get material to record, I had to start making music. That made me a Composer too but my first love is being a Record Producer.
I'm listening just swapping "album" when you say "song". I'm looking at it like 22 minute 5 part songs, recording 1 album side at a time, up to 2 per day? Seems impossible the more I think of it, but I'm gonna try, your advice is perfect for me to hear today...
After being a shredder guitarist for 10 years and amassing 200+ demos and working towards that "golden album", I have never had someone break my face and facade of just how wrong-headed my approach has been all this time. I can't thank you enough. Damn, it is hard to take a knee and realize a mistake this huge.
It’s ok. You spent all that time getting GREAT at what you do.
Now get out there and share it with the world!
It’s likely you won’t get noticed as much at first as you might like.
But be as consistent with figuring out better and better ways to share what you do, one track at a time, and eventually you’ll be as good at that as you are at guitar.
Just like shredding, it takes consistent practice if you don’t plan on hiring in an established pro to play the solo for you.
Hope that helps!
-Justin
One question, I like this idea nr 3 a lot but What about sound selection? Like the sounds from the daw are not necessarily what you're going to use when you get into the real studio. So the time spent getting the right sounds might is also a factor in right?
I lost a box of our band's CDs at senior week '94. Only about 10 left in box at time though... :)
I see what you're getting at about the line between musician and audio guy. But there are plenty of examples of successful musicians who can and do do both. It is good to be aware of that concept though, to make sure you're not devoting yourself too much to one side and inadvertently abandoning the other, or losing passion for the other.
I totally agree, 10000%. I started out as a musician, then through trying to be crafty and make my music sound better and became a engineer lol..
very interesting
Absolutely correct. No different than Fitness Brother.
Thanks man. My friend is in a band I really wanna help him
Great video, very apropos. Some time ago I decided to release one song per month, regardless of how "finished" or "perfect" it was, just to get into the mindset of not letting imperfection completely stop my progress. So I started working faster...and suddenly my mixes got much better because I was really working so much more. Still so much further to go to get the results I want, but getting better :)
In my case, doing experimental / electronica / noise stuff, I have to be the musician and the "audio guy" because so much of what I do depends on how it is mixed to fit with the other bits, they are really inseparable. If I have three - five voices making up one particular sound, they have to fit together or they'll be so muddy the result is shite.
very cool video! I don't know if you'll be responding to an older video, but what do you think about Tame Impala? I always hear Audio guys talking about this and that, DIY etc, this'll work this won't. But I always say every time, what about Tame Impala? Kevin, He is a master engineer and a fantastic musician, one of the best in my opinion. I have heard lots of people say you shouldn't be your own engineer, or you shouldn't master your own music.. But he did, and I think it is THE BEST! What do you think about Kevin's music?
Not sure he's a 'master engineer" but he's damn creative and mastered a way at translating his own songs through two speakers. His imperfections and lack of "proper engineering knowledge" add to the quirky sound. Basically he learned to use the gear he has for his own specific kind of music, doesn't mean everyone else can do the same. He's an outlier.
Yo great video will help me with my first complete composed recorded produced mixed n mastered album by myself for my college final project. Have got to say tho, i fort u had dart stuck in your nexk the whole vid lol
Do I have to compose songs myself in order to make my own album. I can only sing and make albums of already existing songs of singers like Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Martha Tilton, Joni James, Doris Day, Fred Astaire, The Andrews Sisters, and so on.
The camera keeps going in and out of focus and it bothers me
I'm set, I don't even need the Sustainable career part, I have cool dayjob. THANK YOU! Better go write!
Wow Wolverine retrained him self in a unexpected direction!
Haha
You make it sound impossible to be a musician and an "audio guy".Look at Ty Segall, Kurt Ballou, Jack White. All writing, producing, recording, performing and touring their own music in their respective bands/projects. Don't write that option off, because it is very possible and already being done.
I'll also add, this guy is kool as.. some good chat in here.. recommended.
of course it's still important that albums stay...if i make an record of lets say 10 +- songs...it's got to do with story telling....every track has it's connection with eachother.....& each album can be different depending on the topic....so yes...i am still interested making full length albums....as long i have ideas for it...now resently i just have finished my new album of 15 songs....after so many albums......i still can come up with something new & interesting themes & music
I am loving the study of being an engineer. But, gearwise and skillwise I'm not at the level where I'd be happy to put something out. Not that the investment of time in this was not placed well, though. After this, I've got a better idea of what mics, how many mics, placement, how many dubs, the side of the producer and engineer, etc. it's been very enlightening. But, in my heart of hearts, I want to be the musician. Getting things organized well, then handing it over to a real professional, sounds like a great way to play it
My way is that I record and pre produce on my computer, then when iam ready Ill go into a pro studio to record my vocals and mix and master it in the studio. Its what i can afford and it works for me. Ive never sold alot of music and dont plan to be on a record label, tour, im working on my 11th recording, some good, some not so good, and I got my gems. My engineer is a famous musician and have over 30 years recording experience too, so i dont agree with the audio guy advice though.
I wish I had seen this video 10 years ago! So much sunken costs, waisted time.. much easier to work on the music and get ready for the studio!
Iwould be interested making an album how i wan tomake it ina studio
I understand what your saying but I really cannot afford an album so DIY is my ONLY option. But Im so passionate about songwriting that I dont want to wait to create a rough draft of my songs. Then when I can afford it one day ill make an professional album of the BEST songs. Thats atleast my plan.
Good!
It's been a year since you knew it, anything going on in your music?