How to Become a Better Producer: Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
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- Опубліковано 3 сер 2024
- Give me money so I can fuel my junk-buying addiction please. Be an enabler.
/ mariodisanto
mariodisanto.bandcamp.com/
Today we are going to follow a quick recording session with me and some friends. We discuss mic choices, compression choices, mic placements, and general all around recording engineer/producer tips.
~Chapters~
0:00 - Introduction
2:00 - Microphone Choices
11:12 - Microphone Pick-up Patterns
15:30 - Song
18:52 - Conclusion
an experimental mindset and trust in one's own instincts are more important than knowledge and experience, i always say.
I agree wholeheartedly.
The most inspiring aspect of this channel is the affirmation that the playful intuitive approach is the way to go -- once upon a time as a teen, Cobain was beating on a suitcase to record a bass drum track for his first demo. His aunt who had a home studio asked if he wanted to record a real bass drum -- his response to her sliced thru me -- "I want to keep my music pure"
Anyone that's ever played with other people knows that what happens at 18:50 is what it's all about.
i hope you mean pizza
@@judehastings2643 That too, but i meant the silly noodling and general shithousery.
@@judehastings2643 😂 🍕
Yes the in between indirect stuff ends up being great material! Is my interp at least
I love this for so many reasons. On the gear side, anyone in your generation who owns a Shure M67 mixer and EV 635s gets my vote right off the bat, but beyond that, you have a unique gift for sharing your process in fun, fresh, informative and entirely unpretentious way. Rock on.
Thanks Zack I don't take your compliments for granted.
Go Go Go!
Your videos are so inspiring. Bless up, Mario
Regarding the comment about tracking with compression, when recording rock, especially garage rock, me and all of my colleagues and mentors run about everything through compression on the way in, DAW or tape. For us compression is about excitement.
I agree it adds to the character of the track.
Far Out! Keep em coming.... 👍
this is awesome! love it!
Great work! Keep it up!
nice tune! love the sound, and the dude's voice sounds a bit like billy corgan haha! smashing pumpkins
More of these dawg
Will do
beautiful song. lovely video!
Many thanks!
Great producers always enjoy some pizza after a good session
I loved the song. Great explanation for studio production. Thanks for posting.
Absolutely love this song!!🫀🤖🛸
Thanks for showing your process / workflow. I'm trying to get up the courage to actually start tracking after way too much time collecting outboard gear and just need to find the right time to hit Record. It's been helpful to watch you experiment in your videos.
Don't be so nervous Ned ;)
It can take a bit of courage at times. Especially when you are in over your head, but the end result will always be worth the effort.
Mario
I Dig what you do, keep going Ma-Man!
I appreciate that!
Hell yeah, been doing it kinda like this for 17 years. There are millions of kids on Tiktok that need to see this lol.
I tried the Tik-Tok sphere...didn't agree with my stomach.
@@Mario_DiSanto who knows how long it'll be around lol
Wow this is an awesome video and an awesome channel! Definitely going to check out your other vids. Thanks for sharing these videos. I am never able to bring myself to record a session to video like this but I'm feeling inspired to maybe in my studio after watching this video.
Yes definitely do it
Wonderful.
Love this!! The song came out really good! Very cool to see different types of mics being used for different purposes to create the mix!
Nice
FAR OUT MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SUPPORT!!!!!!!!
Mario there's definitely a time and a place to record with compression. Even if I'm recording on DAW, there are plenty on things that I want printed while I'm tracking into the file. Things like vocals, snare, kick, acoustic guitar and a few other things I almost always record with compression.
Exactly my thoughts as well.
Great videos Mario! Can you make a video of your full process from recording analog to mixing and converting to digital to upload? Love your instruction videos the way you deliver is refreshing!
I have something like this in the works for the near future. Thanks for suggesting Eric.
Peace
I usually start with pizza first before a session, sets me up for a good vibe during the session. Songs seem to come out better for some reason lol.🍕
That doesn't work for me. The only method of eating I know is engorging myself until I'm about to split open from too much food. That doesn't bode well usually for my drumming haha
Nice , Sounds good Gents , definitely experimenting and comparing results is the best way to learn . I like seeing how other people record and always find it inspiring, I’m not the best judge of things being long winded because I enjoy the subject matter.
I appreciate people sharing their thought process
Good to hear. I'll definitely continue rambling then.
@@Mario_DiSanto ha ha, please do Bro
Loved this vid, makes me want to get my buddies together and record something on my 4 track. Loving these videos!
4 track is the best for buddies having fun
My back hurts from fixing my otari. This is a dope break. Great stuff here. Never thought of off axis frequency response as changing, that's great advice, very good points.
Response to the fellow comment at 8:29, you can absolutely track with compression whether analog or digital, even with 32 bit recording. Compression is a coloring device, not just utilitarian. Mic, Pre-Amps, LF roll offs, they all contribute to color. Also decision fatigue is a thing and you can decide to print or commit to whatever you like. You may. have less choices and flexibility down the road, but when done to taste, it can be actually quite powerful.
I almost always track with compression now. It winds up saving me so much time in the end run once I get to the mixing stage. Instead of starting from ground zero, my mix is already 50% there. Cheers
Good afternoon dear Mario! Another funny and interesting video whose you have the secret!!! Thank's a lot!! The result is awesome... I love the way you use the scientific approach mixed with fun and originality!!!
Although it's not recommanded by the pros, I used an omni mic too, when recording the drums in a live setup! In fact, a single omni mic for the drums worked well, mixed with few other mics for the vocals and guitars...
Thomas so good to hear from you! I don't care what anyone says, omni microphones are fantastic! I love an omni on my share drum and also on a guitar amp. Hope you're doing well.
Mario
@@Mario_DiSanto I luv the way you're searching for the best place for each mic, and taking your time for it!!? It makes me think of Sam Phillips himself!!
Great video. Have you tried recording outside yet, Mario? We used to run cables out a window onto the patio.
I think I may be pushing my luck with my neighbors if I do that lol
Was very fluid. I enjoyed the frank talk of trying things as you went along. Personally, I find this kind of thing fascinating, cuz I’ve recorded a lot, yet don’t often get to see other people’s problem solving/work flow. I like your commentary style, so I usually have a good journey through your content whatever the topic.
Moving on to the outcome: I really like the feel of it and how you glued it all together. Nice work guys!
Thanks for the fun look into your way to do things, Mario. I’ve enjoyed many of your videos so far… and that’s kind of a big deal in my book. Says good things about you.
Ok… enough bla bla bla from me…
Keep getting creative.
Thanks again for the video!
You always extend positive encouragement to me. It does not go unnoticed. Thank you.
Very cute viddy I luv
SUBSCRIBED👍
wooohoooo!
@@Mario_DiSanto 🥰
Digging the vocals for sure. So how was it recorded ? Direct onto a tape deck’s inputs?
This was recorded onto my Alesis HD24.
Wow better production value now it has other people. Next up grass.
Love this! I can't get enough of hearing the thought process of a sound recording engineer, especially using pre daw equipment. What EQ went onto the snare and final master? Wish I saw this video a year ago, I had to work out the 2 mic phase cancellation thing myself, everyone I asked about my problem didn't know what I was talking about 🤪
There was very minal EQ on these tracks. I don't remember how I specifically EQ'd the drum mic. Probably cut some EQ to get rid of some boominess in the room.
Mario
Man.. im looking for an organ like this for so long :00 Where can I get one like this ? Is it with or without a foot pedal ? What's the name ?
Well done gentlemen.
Thank you Richard.
Really inspiring!
How are those Sound Skulptor Tube Pre's? Does it have quite abit of gain on tap, and does it have quite abit of headroom before it starts to get crunchy? Hows the noise floor on it also?
The noise floor is noticeable but it is a nice velvety shimmer. Has a good amount of gain. It's not as crunchy as you would think though. I recommend though.
@@Mario_DiSanto Thanks Mario! Appreciate it! I need more solid pre's for big drum sessions, and want to invest in some DIY, or other stuff like that! .
What's the best 'exercise' you guys have found to help yourself become a better recording engineer?
Procrastinating and eventually going online for new gear
This will sound crazy. Maybe most musicians are like that but I don't know so... I always hear music in my head, even in the middle of a conversation, or in the middle of the night, I hear parts of songs in a loop. So I use that to work on songs arrangements or mixing ideas.
@@TheProducers Claude I have the same "condition". I'll often get stuck on these "loops" for days at a time. I wonder if this is just a musician thing?
@@Mario_DiSanto Yeah, it happens to me too. I guess all musicians just sort of "play an hour-long loop of a song". The worst part is sometimes it's a song that you really hate...
I actually think this exact kind of experimentation has been the most helpful to me over the years, especially when you already have a pretty good sense of how to engineer a proper recording. There always seems to be at least one pleasant surprise when you try a bunch of things out, and those discoveries can become techniques you use later on down the road. It's even helpful when things don't work like you thought they would since that leads to a deeper understanding of how everything interacts and why certain things tend to work better than others. I love these videos, by the way. Thank you for putting so much thoughtful time and effort into making them
Where you get that ribbon mic from?
It's a "Shiny Box" ribbon. The dude who makes me stopped doing it unfortunately. I like the mic a lot.
Mario
Let’s be friends doc.
Let's do it.
Maybe you could hang up some heavy blankets or make some panels to set up around where you're recording to help tame the verb from the room.
I am in the process of making a movable Gobo to take down some reverb and help with isolation. I tried blankets before, a lot of times actually. I've filled a whole room with 'em before. It didn't make a lick of difference! Maybe I need Shure branded blankets lol
Good ideas. I do think you should take some time to scout out some solid live bands in your area. Guys who play together often and are tight as hell. And do a live session with them. Find some professionals who can do some retro tunes.
I need a better recording space and some basic tools and gear until I can do that. But it's coming!
Mario
@Mario DiSanto bro. No you don't. You have a damn decent setup. And it's not about the gear. It's about how you utilize it. Almost any group would be stoked for a free recording sesh.
@@Mario_DiSanto I agree with these two. I think you have enough to try it, if you're comfortable having some strangers in your house. I did something like that once, and all I had was a small 2nd bedroom to work with. I asked the band to bring any microphones they had, which was a good move. I tracked the bass and drums at the same time (because I could only record 2 tracks at a time to my computer back in 1999), then I had the guitarist, singer, and trumpet player all do overdubs. All things considered, I was pretty enthused with how it turned out. Although I sure wish I knew then what I know now, even if I was forced to use the same tools.
you need to buy some chairs.
Don't be ridiculous now....