Recording
 

I friend of mine and I are planning to record a CD of Christian songs we have written. We are both singer-acoustic guitarists. My first inclination would be to record instruments and voices all at once. That way you get that live performance feel. However, the engineer's job is made easier, I've been told, if everything is recorded separately. Which do you folks think is a better way to record?

Start with a scratch track, record everything live. Then go back and record the individual tracks by playing along with the scratch.

I've never heard that suggested. Doesn't it bother you singing along with yourself?

Not if I'm trying to do harmonies, or singing with someone else. You can always add the vocals last, on top of the clean instrumentals.

You, or the engineer I guess in this case, will have better control over the final mix if you record everything separately. You can play live and still get separation through a multi-input interface, but it all boils down to what gear you have access to. Having everything all recorded into one blob of a track limits a lot of post editing capabilities and is usually a bad idea in most cases, but sometimes people pull it off to an extent and get that 'live feel' with a good balance in DB separations, but mostly it just comes out muddy and everything competes for space in the mix. Put in a little more work than just a one-off performance and you'll likely get better results.

I'm going to be in a bit of a hurry. I have a $2000 budget and will be charged $35/hour. We might like to add musicians when we are finished laying down our own tracks.

Yes, I've pretty much resigned myself to the idea we'll do the tracks separately. I might like to be in the same room as Linda when we do the guitar tracks - it helps to be able to see her.

Ah, didn't realize you were going to a studio, I only have DIY experience. Like Plankton said it's all about what equipment you have access too, in a studio that's likely not a problem. Playing and recording in the same room whenever possible seems ideal, especially for energy and getting that live feel you want.

Chula?

If this fellow had rooms with windows, then you could play in different rooms but still see each other, preventing the problem of bleeding into each others' mikes. I don't think he does, though.

Who's Chula?

Such a Chula thing to say.

Chula?

It's as clear as day

Awesome. Good luck. :)

Thank you.