The Grim Smirary Diary: Report from the studio
So, for the first time since we recorded the bulk of “Antidote” in 2004, on Wednesday we returned to a studio to record some new songs.
It is an emotionally exhausting experience, a roller coaster full of peaks and valleys. But it is ever so rewarding to hear the mixes as we go along. The songs are coming along great, and we are very optimistic that we’ll have something worth putting out very soon.
A special thanks to Robert at the Hive Recording Studio for his ideas and expertise — and patience. And one thing we especially enjoy about working with Robert is how authentic the production is. Music today is too sterile and there’s no personality in rock music. You have computers and Pro Tools to thank for that. But at “The Hive,” Robert doesn’t let technology get in the way of a truly authentic experience. Such is the essence of rock ‘n’ roll.
If you are in a band that might be interested in working at The Hive, you should check out their website here: www.thehiverecordingstudio.com
The view from the street
Anyhow, back to this project. Just to give you an idea of how we like to work in the studio … our process involves a session with Justin on drums, Mark on bass and myself recording scratch tracks on guitar and vocals. We give each song a few takes and keep going until we do one that we’re confident with. We spent a lot of time in preproduction working out all the parts before we ever hit the studio, so this part of the process went along relatively smoothly. Then we begin guitar overdubs and lead vocals and harmonies. Once everything’s on “tape,” then we begin the mixing stage.
We set aside four days last week to get as much done as we could. It was an intense week, but things are coming along great. We don’t know how long the whole process will take, but we’re excited at how things are coming along.
So here’s an account on how things are going thus far:
Friday, Dec. 7, 2007
Justin goes in to set up drums and sound check the mics.
Wednesday, Dec. 12
11:08 a.m.: I arrive at the studio to find Justin and Mark set up and checking their levels with Robert. I take a look around, unload my gear and start to set up. Once all the levels are set, we work on “Age of Delirum” and “I Know,” and choose the takes we like the best.
12:12: Smoke break
Smoke break: Justin, Robert and Mark.
We also take a crack at “Rain on My Parade,” but decide to try again tomorrow.
3:06: Justin and Mark leave for the day. I start working on guitar overdubs on “Delirium” and “I Know.”
5:36: Robert needs to go burn more money at Guitar Center, so we call it a day.
Thursday, Dec. 13
10:02 a.m.: I show up and Robert and I listen back to what we’ve done. I take a shot at recording some vocals on “I Know” while we wait for Mark and Justin to arrive. They show up and we continue work on “Parade.” We do a take we’re happy with, then it’s on to “What Really Matters.”
We do one that Justin is happy with, but Mark wants to continue trying and works for another hour or so aiming for the perfect overdub. We sit around and get sick of the song.
Mark, ever the perfectionist
Mark and Robert scrutinize a take
2:33: We give “Running on Fumes” a shot on Robert’s brand new electronic TD-20 V-Drum kit, so we can let Robert play with his new toy. We also throw in this little funk jam, and an impromptu ultra-quick take of “Fall Into Place.” It sounds cool. We should revisit that one some day.
Then, in search of the perfect snare sound, we experiment on recording a drum take with the TD-20 over what Justin had already done on “Delirum.” Doesn’t turn out, so we scratch the idea of using the TD-20 on this project.
Justin tries out the TD-20 V-Drum
I try some vocals on “Delirium.” Voice is shot. We’ll try it again later.
The day ends at 6:03 p.m. with a group hug. Yeah, that’s how we roll.
Friday, Dec. 14
10:22 a.m.: I arrive to find Robert doing some initial mixing on “I Know.” It sounds incredible! Bobby Silver, who is doing some guitar work for us on this project, shows up 15 minutes later. He sets up and after careful consideration of choosing the right amps and guitars to get the appropriate tone for the part, records all his parts.
Bobby Silver lays down a guitar track
By 4:30 or so I begin my rhythm guitar overdubs. We call it a day at 6:30 after “Delirum” and “Matters” are in the can. There is some discussion on how to achieve the right guitar tone for “Parade.” But we decide to save this for tomorrow.
Ben plays guitar
Saturday, Dec. 15
10:26 a.m.: I arrive to find Bob and Robert talking guitars (a common theme during these four days). We spend two hours or so trying to find the right vocal mic. I lay down some keeper lead vocals for “I Know.”
Ben’s view in the vocal booth
2 p.m.: Bob records some nice vocal harmonies. We start messing around with some rough mixing on the song.
Bobby Silver hanging out
3:30 p.m.: We start miking an amp to record my guitar parts for “Rain on My Parade.” After some technical issues and a couple takes, all electric guitar parts are pretty much DONE for this project. We call it a day at 4:48 p.m. and will take a couple days off before we head back.
UP NEXT
We still have to finish up the vocals for “Matters,” “Parade” and “Delirium.” Oh, and I’ll be redoing my guitars on “I Know.” Then we’ll be adding a cello to “Parade.” Then we mix!
ROCK
=Ben=
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