To the average individual, being in a recording studio may sound like an amusing, perhaps even a pleasurable experience, when compared to the traditional office type setting. Indeed, the mere idea of working with the famous music artists and producing the hits that make it to the top of the charts is so wonderful – more so when you’re paid highly for this. But a word of caution, there are plenty of things about the recording process that is unseen.
A prevailing notion of a recording studio and the recording process is what I will call the Doctor Dre/ Rick Rubin misconception. Both are pioneers and maestros of recording and both appear to be people that one would either like to associate with or actually be. Truth be told, having both of these “artists” push for a three hundredth take would leave most people missing their cubicle. Truly, life in the studio isn’t a bed of roses. It is an arduous and difficult process that can leave even hardened, veteran artists looking for relief.
A major consideration for an artist is money. Studios are not cheap and they need to be rented on an hourly basis. If an artist cannot perform under pressure, they better be getting a big advance from their label (if they have one). Otherwise, they’ll be feeling the clock when they should be thinking about their work. This is not a good thing particularly if the producer is serious about getting the work done. Indeed, an artist should always be ready and should always – and I mean always – be in working condition. There’s no reason not to be prepared, and there have been many stars that have failed for these same two things. Axl Rose, can you hear me?
Still, the success of the work at the recording studio is not only determined by the artist and the producer. People are known to make mistakes and this is a place where your mistakes are magnified. The studio is one large microscope. There’ll always be honest evaluations – positive or negative. Dependability rests on everyone’s shoulder in the recording studio. Copious amounts of time can be spent on a song and there can be literally no improvement. As people grow tired after more takes, then the errors could get even worse.
The artist and producer need to think about what they want to happen versus what really happens. These are clearly two different stories. Numerous hours are spent trying to get both artists and producers ideas down and to sound the way both want.
Regardless of all these negative things, what keeps the recording process a truly exciting task is when that magical moment comes – when everything just falls into place. All the sweat and toil gives way as the whole reason for being involved in the process in the first place, which is to capture that perfect take, is realized and that one unique kind of energy is forever printed to tape. That’s the glory.
But then that glory fleets and it’s back to work to begin another steep climb to find that next moment. It is like a vicious circle. What remains to be given credit is that thing that is laid down on two inch. Yes, you can conceal your voice but what you are willing to make and what you are, what your work ethics are, shall always surface in the seemingly magical place of the recording studio.