[HANASHIR:9437] Re: Recording Stuff

[Tafkajosh <Tafkajosh...>]

Chaverim,

As a full-time record producer with tons of Jewish music experience, I think 
I can shed a little light....

First- You get what you pay for. The best equipment in the world does you no 
good without the knowledge of how to use it and apply it to your project in 
the best way. Ears are everything. What sounds great on its own may never 
well sit in a final mix. Only experience yields this knowledge.

Second- Always, Always, Always use a producer. Unless you have done enormous 
amounts of recording and know the studio, it's gear, and how to use it inside 
and out, you will spend exceptional amounts of money for unexceptional 
results. 

Many people say they cannot afford a producer. In fact, most albums can be 
put out for much less money (and with much higher quality) with a producer 
onboard than without one.

Third- *Certain things* can be recorded outside of a commercial recording 
environment. However, this depends on many factors- the first being the 
quality of microphone/preamps/converters, etc. I just finished a full-length, 
Jewish singer-songwriter record, which was largely recorded at my house. The 
tracks laid at my studio sound identical to ones tracked in a commercial 
studio... but only because I invested in the gear I need to accomplish that. 
(not cheap... but worth it in the long run).  For example- You can buy a 
cheap mic preamp @ guitar center for $100 bucks. This will sound, however, 
like you spent a hundred bucks. To make records that sound like commercial 
records, you need commercial gear. Neve mic preamps cost $1000 to $2000 per 
channel. Was I broke for a while because of them? Absolutely- (I love ramen 
noodles). But, now vocals tracked at my house sound identical to a $1000 per 
day commercial room. It was worth it for me to do, because I use it 
constantly. However, if your goal is to track something to tape once in a 
while, or even a few times a year, talk to a producer about getting deals on 
time. Extraordinary studios used by major labels can be had for $400.00 a 
day, if you know who to talk to.

Fourth- Without a producer to control budget, sonics, etc... you put yourself 
in the hands of the engineer. Crap shoot, to say the least, Some are great, 
some are terrible. Trial and error is all that works here. Good producers 
know the right people to work with, simply because they are constantly doing 
so.

Fifth- Recording at home (with deference to Andy, who may be spectacular), 
generally (unless you *really, really* know what you are doing) will 
generally yield less than professinal results. 

Sixth- As for budgeting, there is no definitive amount that can be set 
without a discussion of instrumentation and arrangement. A live album can be 
tracked for under $600.00. A true, major-label, fully produced one can be had 
for $15,000 (with the right people working for you) Some producers, including 
some in the Jewish Music world, will tell you it can't be done for less than 
$25k-$30k. All this budget serves for is a trip to Bermuda for the Producer. 

If any of you need advice, or just want to talk about a project, please feel 
free to email me. Glad to help.

Just my 2 cents (or maybe 2 dollars)-
Josh Nelson
tafkajosh (at) aol(dot)com