Patience in the Studio?

[spi]

Hey all,

I'm contemplating taking my 4-track recordings into the studio just for the hell of it (no I am not rich). I do not plan on shopping it to labels; this is more of a self-fulfilling project.

That being said - how patient are the staff in studios typically? I know that depends on each person individually, but in terms of the recording process is there etiquette involved?

For example:

1) I have a crappy guitar which I don't think would hold up well when professionally recorded. Are there guitars in the studio to borrow? Is it negligent to show up with almost nothing but lyrics, ideas and a demo and use all studio equipment?

2) Although I have played guitar for years, I am far from being good. However I have my own style, a keen ear and a complete vision for the recordings. Will my lack of actual playing experience drive the engineer nuts? Please be honest.

3) Would there be musicians in the studio willing to participate in my recordings to help me out, or is this strictly a more formal "you're buying the time here, that's it" type situation?

Sounds like I need a band, I know, and I would probably bring a drummer to the recording sessions - but these are just questions I had. For the record, my songs are rather minimalist and wouldn't require heaps of different instruments. Generally voice, guitar, bass and occasional drums.

Any advice will help.
Thanks!
Julie

[ginandtacos.com]

You are paying the studio and its personnel for their time and the use of their facilities. Within that agreement, you have a right to do whatever the hell you want with your time (money).

Any recording engineer who knows his ass from a hole in the ground is going to understand that he has a JOB to do for his clients and it doesn't matter whether or not the clients are terrific or awful. If you want to go into a studio and record an out-of-tune guitar and spend 6 hours trying to make it sound acceptable....well, hey, as long as you pay for the 6 hours that's your right. The engineer has absolutely no right at all to get pissy with you, condescend you, or complain.

Using EA as an example, if use Studio A for a day and in that time you and your experienced, professional bandmates nail a dozen songs on the first take, it will cost you $600. If you and some drummer you barely know spend the entire day trying (unsuccessfully) to get one track right, it will cost you.....$600.

You are in control of what happens. Go at your own pace and don't be embarassed. Remember, you're paying them to perform a service. It doesn't matter what they think.....no more than it matters what the pizza delivery boy thinks about your house as he drives away.

[spi]

Thank you, I've got a better perspective now.

[russ]

Just to clarify what ginandtacos.com said, and he put it very well I might add, it would cost you $700, not $600 becuase you would probably need to pay for a staff engineer while you're in Studio A. If you brought your own engineer, you can work out with him what you will pay him, and then it would only cost you $600. But, he should probably be a very good engineer, becuase if it's his first time at our studios, he'll probably need an assistant, and you'll end up paying for that as well ($100).

As far as the staff engineers caring about your playing ability and so forth, it's really not an issue. We recommend that you try to do any maintenance or upgrades to your gear before you get to the studio, but that's really only becuase we'd prefer that your stuff was working well so you aren't wasting your time or money during the session fixing problems.

That said, we do have quite a bit of stuff that you are welcome to use if you'd like. The best thing to do, if possible, is to come in for a tour. That way you can see first hand what the studios are like, what equipement is available, etc.

[KilledByAlbany]

It can be pretty different wherever you go. I've worked with engineers who are the chillest people around, engineers who just leave the tape running and then go hang out in the studio lounge with a bunch of their biker friends who "just popped in to get drunk", and engineers who snap and lose control when you need to re record a take, and need to actually go upstairs and spark a crackpipe to calm down again. (Yep, these all really happened. I've actually got video of the biker one!)

Basically, before you book time somewhere, take a tour, spell out your plans and problems to them and see how well they react, and basically just try to get a feel for them & how they operate. Having a good rapport with your engineer is probably the most important aspect of getting a recording you are satisfied with.

As far as worring about your guitar, your style of getting things done, etc, don't sweat it. Hell, it worked for Greg Sage! As long as you can pay for your time, with a good engineer, it should be of no consequence.

[instant_zen]

It can be pretty different wherever you go. I've worked with engineers who are the chillest people around, engineers who just leave the tape running and then go hang out in the studio lounge with a bunch of their biker friends who "just popped in to get drunk", and engineers who snap and lose control when you need to re record a take, and need to actually go upstairs and spark a crackpipe to calm down again. (Yep, these all really happened. I've actually got video of the biker one!)

where the FUCK did you find these people?!

[Space_Streakings_are_Gods]

As far as worring about your guitar, your style of getting things done, etc, don't sweat it. Hell, it worked for Greg Sage!

Was Greg really that bad of a guitarist?

I would've said "Hell, it worked for Jad Fair!"

[otisroom]

It can be pretty different wherever you go. I've worked with engineers who are the chillest people around, engineers who just leave the tape running and then go hang out in the studio lounge with a bunch of their biker friends who "just popped in to get drunk", and engineers who snap and lose control when you need to re record a take, and need to actually go upstairs and spark a crackpipe to calm down again. (Yep, these all really happened. I've actually got video of the biker one!)

.

Oh man I'm sorry about the crack pipe thing that day. I was in a bad space and really hitting a bottom. But I'm sober now and I've got all my gear out of pawn and I'm ready to make amends. Come back please I'll make it up to you. We can work long hours cause I've switched to Meth!!