Lois and the Lantern Session
Consider Different Recording Options
I am
listening to the final mixes of Lois and the Lantern EP project, and they
turned out to be amazing. Great work ladies and kudos to Larry Lewis our
amazing mixing engineer. The release party is February at The Blind Pig so get
your tickets and be there. Lois and the Lantern is a well rehearsed band that
plays original Americana music and and are definitely a group of seasoned
professionals. They have a consistent rehearsal schedule that shows in their playing. The proof is in the pudding.
One of the things
that came out of the great experience of recording this first EP for Lois and
the Lantern is that it has given me time to reflect on the different ways to
accomplish a recording project. There is more than one way to skin a cat. The
first three approaches that come to mind are, do a live multi track recording
that can be mixed later to optimize the quality of the recording, do a live to
stereo recording, or do a multi track recording with overdubs.
The first and
most efficient way is to do a live recording mixed straight to a stereo master.
The recording can be done in a recording studio or at a live venue. Doing it at
a recording studio will maximize the noise isolation and lower the noise floor
that comes with recording in a live venue. Live venue recording can give your
recording an energy that comes with performing before an audience. This can
also minimize your actual recording expense. This approach means that you will
have to be well rehearsed to maximize the quality of the performance and hence
that quality of the recording. This is the easiest way to have a recording for
playing on local community radio, like KRFC 88.9 in Fort Collins. A number of
years ago I recorded Colorado Symphony Orchestra using this method.
Another way
to record is to do a multi-track recording in a live venue and then take the
tracks back to a studio for final production, mixing and mastering. One of the
best examples of this is the Peter Frampton's “Frampton Comes Alive” In the
1970's this recording set the standard for live Concert Recording. This method
has the added cost of post production, but you can substantially improve the
quality. This method requires that you be well rehearsed and playing at a high
level of musical skill within your genre. I was a recording engineer for Opera
Colorado, and because of all the movement on stage this became our go to method
for these recordings. They were broadcast on KVOD 88.1 in Denver.
The method
that Lois and the Lantern chose to record was live in our studio at Acoustic
Ranch to multi track. As I said earlier, these ladies were so well rehearsed
that this approach was a breeze for them. They recorded 5 songs in 4 hours. The performances were so spectacular that they
accomplished them with ease. The recording was 3 instrument mics and 3 vocal
mics for 3 performers. We also had 2 overhead room mics and a centralized ambient
mic. The performers were Saja (banjo and vocals), Mary on Mandolin and Vocals,
and T on Guitar and Vocals. Tara came in the next day to lay down her bass ukulele
parts. She was not able to schedule herself at the same time as the other
ladies. By recording this way it gave us the flexibility to add the bass
overdubs on the next day. The set up gave us the ability to mix it in 5:1
surround sound at some point in the future but for the EP project we chose to
mix to stereo. This approach can be a cost effective way to get a great
recording. This method requires that the musicians be incredibly practiced to
insure a great recording.
The last way
to record is to do multi track recording with lots of overdubs. This approach
gives the freedom to sculpt the sound and make decisions during the recording
sessions. Albums like Michael Jackson's “Thriller”, The Beatles “Sgt.
Pepper's”, among many others were recorded in this fashion. In this scenario,
the recording studio becomes a palatte with many sonic color choices to paint
on your sonic canvas. It is good to have a clear plan laid out before you hit
the studio, so as not to waste time and money.
With this method it is a good idea to do plenty of pre-production so you
can make the most of your time and budget in the studio.
All in all,
these options can fit your skill set and your budget. Contact us to continue this conversation
about how we can serve you.
-Adrian Yañez
