Mentally prepping for recording

[Fuzzhead]

I know this may seem like a dumb problem to ask for help for, but I can't seem to get a perfect take of a recording. I've practiced it enough and I can do it very well, but when it comes to (home) recording, I just get nervous and freeze. It's just a simple three-and -a-half minute acoustic song. I know that I can just record it over again if I mess up, but I still get so nervous once those microphones are staring at me. :o

Anyone have any tips for calming yourself down before recording? Surely everyone gets nervous on their first time. Thanks in advance.

[Fuzzhead]

(Totally not a bump)

My non-musician friend tells me that I could simply record parts of it (verse, chorus, outro) seperately and then put them together. Is this commonly done, or is it kind of a no-no?

[Me on crack]

well instead of recording part per part i strongly recommend u to relax and done all in one shoot.

be confortable in the recording room, make it your own, take things that have meaning to u, its silly i know but it works!! i always take my sponge bob pillow when i go to the studio and it makes me feel more relaxed, we're in 2006 you cant waste tape so let the rec button 'on' and start jammin, once you are in zen-peace play the song, it will be al right



xoxo

[Provo]

wow...i was just about to post a thread almost exactly like this. I'm going into the studio on Thursday morning to start recording my band's new album and was wondering if there are any good ways that people know of to relax beforehand. sorry for butting into this thread but it's sort of the same concept :cool:

[Fuzzhead]

Originally posted by Provo
wow...i was just about to post a thread almost exactly like this. I'm going into the studio on Thursday morning to start recording my band's new album and was wondering if there are any good ways that people know of to relax beforehand. sorry for butting into this thread but it's sort of the same concept :cool:

I don't mind you 'butting in' at all. :)

At least we know we're not alone now. Good luck in the studio; hope some more people give us their opinions.

[maxsample]

recording in one take is usually preferrable, but you can cut and paste with various levels of success. When recording, I try to find a sort of zen mindset before I do anything, and then I play through the song in my head a bunch of times. Finally I just go for it and go until I've got it...sometimes it just takes time.

[Dusty]

Alcohol has always worked for me. Particularly if you're just doing it at home. I had this song I was laying vocals on, and I'm not too proud of my voice. Took a couple shots and it actually sounds really good I think. But in the studio, a little alcohol helps I think, but too much and you waste tons of time and money. Not that I've ever actually followed that advice, but I probably should have on several occassions. :D

[Fuzzhead]

Originally posted by Dusty
Alcohol has always worked for me. Particularly if you're just doing it at home. I had this song I was laying vocals on, and I'm not too proud of my voice. Took a couple shots and it actually sounds really good I think. But in the studio, a little alcohol helps I think, but too much and you waste tons of time and money. Not that I've ever actually followed that advice, but I probably should have on several occassions. :D

Heh, well, I'm 17, so that isn't much of an option for me. Sounds like it *would* work, though.

[Mosquitocoil]

Originally posted by Fuzzhead
Heh, well, I'm 17, so that isn't much of an option for me. Sounds like it *would* work, though.

Sure it is! I was drinking when I was 13, and to this day I have no problem with alcahol, and never have.

But anyway, it definately helps a little. Even just a couple of beers or a few shots or something - just make sure it's not enough to get you totally paro :) We did that at my mates place last week, and...the results were...not so spectacular :rolleyes:

But stuff that relaxes you in normal situations...works for recording. Drinks/a little weed/familiar surroundings, having friends/bandmates around. Make a little party out of it, and it gets you all nicely hyped up. I find I practice my skills better by myself, but when I'm around others I get more flamboyant and showoffish (I've been told I'm not showoffish enough, these days I beg to differ). Flamboyancy can help when recording, because your parts won't just 'be there', they'll be 'awesome parts'.

Just a couple ideas anyway. Use all or none of them :) Good luck too!

[K-bza]

+1 on the alcohol or the weed

I would personally go more for the weed. A couple of days ago I was just jamming out with a couple of friends and when a pause in the singing came, I just started feeling the song so much, I played crazy ass improv I didn't even know I was capable of. I know...it wasn't in the studio, but for sure you feel the music instead of just playing and listening to it (I know it sounds corny, but there is no other way to put it into words.)

Then again if youre a drug free kid, then DO NOT start smoking weed just cause you think you'll become a better player. If youre not...well then, party on! :D

[boyecho]

Originally posted by maxsample
recording in one take is usually preferrable, but you can cut and paste with various levels of success. When recording, I try to find a sort of zen mindset before I do anything, and then I play through the song in my head a bunch of times. Finally I just go for it and go until I've got it...sometimes it just takes time.

why waste your zen mindset by immediately filling it with a preconceived idea of the song ;)

but seriously. i agree. i say just chill. relax. get lose and jam the song out. little mistakes are a good thing. if you're doing the song over and over, quit. move on. take a break and come back to it later.

[sirian]

just chill out man and dont fret if you **** up..if you think youre gonna **** up, you will...if you think "IM GONNA ****ING PLAY THIS BITCH!"...you will

[Fuzzhead]

Thanks a million for the replies.

Obviously, I've been looking at recording the wrong way. In retrospect, I was getting a little too tense, and self-doubting. I guess a lil mistake or two is what makes a recording 'real'. I'll be sure to take all your (legal) advice. :D

Thanks again. :cool:

[Provo]

Yeah I'm 17 too haha. Anyways, I quit all that illegal stuff but I sure do appreciate the rest of the comments :)

[Halford87]

Originally posted by Provo
wow...i was just about to post a thread almost exactly like this. I'm going into the studio on Thursday morning to start recording my band's new album and was wondering if there are any good ways that people know of to relax beforehand. sorry for butting into this thread but it's sort of the same concept :cool:

I usually psyc myself up, listening to rage against the machine helps!! or watching the DVD i got of Atreyu recording their new album, i got several things like that. I would just find something that inspires you and keeps you relaxed. For me music helps me to escape things going on in life. I can be in my own world and that helps me when i record. You can practice the song and go over it billions of times before hand and play it perfectly but when u come to record it you mess up, thats just the way it is sometimes.