Which instrument to record first?

[Andy43]

To me it seems like it should be the drums because that's the main rhythm part, but supposably it is hard for drummers to play the song to nothing, at least it is for mine.

What do you guys think?

[The Euphor]

Nothing is stopping you from recording all at once, then redo the parts you are not satisfied with.

In a live situation (as in no MIDI parts) I prefer to have at least bass, drums and vocals. Vocals only as reference to where in the song you are. Also easier for bass/drums if they got more than a boring click to play to.

In the end, it's all up to you, really. What equipment you got. The players, what they prefer. How good the studio is, can you prevent bleeding during recording? One room, many separate rooms?

Only you know. But, most drummers have a hard time recording over other tracks. As there most often will be small changes in tempo, and they are used to staying in charge.

[6fingers]

If you have a click track you can record any instrument first.
If not drums should be first.
If a drummer can't play the hole song alone because song have stops and stuff,ask to guitarist to record a guitar track following a click track..Just chord progressions for help drummer.
Anyway is always better using a click track expecially if song has fast and weird rolls and stuff cause you could mute drums and people will play over a click track.

[The Euphor]

I don't agree on the click track. For many styles of music, yes, but not always. Some music, even rock, can be very "organic" in tempo.

[6fingers]

I said always because if drummer wants it,it's there,if not,mute it.
I just gave an option.
We don't know what he's recording and stuff.Well we know nothing so it was just an option.If a guy comes and ask about wich instrument should be recorded first it tells me he probably knows nothing about recording,even the basics so a click track would be a better option.Or not.

[rty13ibz98]

you should try to play with a click. typically drums are recorded first, but with other musicians playing along. the other musicians are basically just going through the motions in order to get a "perfect" drum take. usually, those parts will be redubbed. those are typically referred to as scratch tracks. usually, as far as amps go, is this process, they are located remotely, or a modeller/plugin is used. this is to reduce the bleed from live instruments into the drum tracks. usually bass is DI'd. during this time the guitar and bass tones aren't as important as being solid with the drummer. most often, they will be overdubbed. as for singers, they are typically seperated from the group behind glass...either in the vocal booth or in the control room. in most project studios, that is a luxury we aren't afforded as much. in my 2 room, non viewing project studio i have right now, the scratch vox are recorded in a different room where the DAW(pc) is and the musicians are in the live room with the drummer. everyone works with a headphone mix. very crucial to reduce bleeding of extra sounds for the drum tracks. how i usually record is drums, then bass, then rhythm guitars, vocals, leads, the background vox. this is not standard as it is based around musician availability as well. as long as the drums are cut, or you have a solid click, you can start tracking any of the instruments.

rich

[OklaStar]

1. I always record the whole band,
2. Then kick everyone out but the drummer and have him play to a headphone mix so I have clean drums.
3. Then I record the vocals.

The guitars usually record great the first time, but I will often get a dupe of just the guitar so I can double it later for a thicker sound

Its much easier on the bands this way, its very organic and they are familiar with the process.

I only use a click track if they really really suck and I will have to do tons of cutting and pasting out bad parts.

[kotornut]

Originally Posted by rty13ibz98

you should try to play with a click. typically drums are recorded first, but with other musicians playing along. the other musicians are basically just going through the motions in order to get a "perfect" drum take. usually, those parts will be redubbed. those are typically referred to as scratch tracks.

rich

This what I have always done. Record the drums but have at least the guitars and bass (and click track) playing along just to keep the drummer on task and in the mood. Then redub everything. But there are other ways to do it too. Click tracks are optional depending on the style, applicability and your drummers inner metronome, but I recommend them for just about everything in the studio.

I always did my scratch track with a POD. it worked well. Usually, a drummer needs to hear the guitar sound as real as possible so they can get into it. The last thing you want is a tight but uninspired sound. It's really hard to keep everyone emotionally charged on the songs when you are recording the intruments in segments and overdubbing things so be sure to try to keep that energy.

[EvoGiant]

i always thought the accordion part went first....

[rty13ibz98]

Originally Posted by kotornut

This what I have always done. Record the drums but have at least the guitars and bass (and click track) playing along just to keep the drummer on task and in the mood. Then redub everything. But there are other ways to do it too. Click tracks are optional depending on the style, applicability and your drummers inner metronome, but I recommend them for just about everything in the studio.

I always did my scratch track with a POD. it worked well. Usually, a drummer needs to hear the guitar sound as real as possible so they can get into it. The last thing you want is a tight but uninspired sound. It's really hard to keep everyone emotionally charged on the songs when you are recording the intruments in segments and overdubbing things so be sure to try to keep that energy.

we track scratch with pods and overdub DI into my pres, from there we either reamp or use plugins like gearbox or ampeg svx.

everything is just a bed for the accordian to lay in.

rich

[kotornut]

Originally Posted by rty13ibz98

we track scratch with pods and overdub DI into my pres, from there we either reamp or use plugins like gearbox or ampeg svx.

everything is just a bed for the accordian to lay in.

rich

When I was cool and in a band and recording, we scratched with pods. And then recorded everything with live amps and good mics. We used mesas and marshalls for guitars, and ampegs and SWRs for the bass. The other guitarist (besides me) owned the studio and all the equipment we had a great time doing all this stuff like we were a "real band."

[rty13ibz98]

Originally Posted by kotornut

When I was cool and in a band and recording, we scratched with pods. And then recorded everything with live amps and good mics. We used mesas and marshalls for guitars, and ampegs and SWRs for the bass. The other guitarist (besides me) owned the studio and all the equipment we had a great time doing all this stuff like we were a "real band."

i am basically the other guitar player in your last post! hehe i am the one with the boatload of gear.

rich

[shredmaster]

Originally Posted by EvoGiant

i always thought the accordion part went first....

NO WAY MAN! THAT'S THE ICING ON THE CAKE! it goes last!

i usually record drums first, and the drummer will record to a guitar scratch track, as someone said, to keep him in the mood. i have dealt with so many drummers and it's weird...they find it hard to play to a click track. and, they can't play a song all the way through on their own. rhythm guitar players don't seem to have a problem remembering parts and progressions but drummers do. for them, it's always a scratch guitar track to play along to. then rhythm guitars, bass, then leads...anything else...vocals last usually.

[skins345669]

Originally Posted by shredmaster

...vocals last usually.

Apart from accordion, that is.

[toneboy]

Originally Posted by EvoGiant

i always thought the accordion part went first....

No way man, you should always record the cowbell first because you can never have too much cowbell.