What would you do? Those with big studio experience encouraged to chime in.

[HERESY/KNOKK SHOPE]

Sorry for being so long.

OK, here's the deal. Starting monday (not sure what day) I won't have access to a good internet connection for some time as I have to move for a week or two. (The flex hose in my downstairs bathroom broke and the crib was flooded) so if I can get some opinions and insight before I leave that will be appreciated.I need to lay vocals, but I don't want to record them at my spot because I want to use a different recording chain. I've worked out of two big studios in my area before so I have the experience with large consoles.

Here is where the problem comes in:

Studio 1: I vibe with the lead engineer, he understands my project, he knows his shit, he knows that I know my shit (his words), he understands my needs, he isn't trying to force shit on me, the studio has an SSL 9000, tuned room, great mic selection, the patch bay isn't hard to use (the patchbay came with the console, but I've recorded at a spot where they made their own patchbay for the console and well....lets just say it wasn't the best experience) a pair of monitors like mine (amongst others that I'm familiar with), a shitload of outboard gear, great mic selection, a large booth that is used for tracking vocals, guitars, etc and I can get a day rate of 8 hours without an enginner for a reduced rate or I can get it for his day rate (with him engineering) which is 5 hours.

Studio 2: I vibe with the lead engineer, he understands my project, he knows his shit, he knows that I know my shit (his words), he understands my needs, he isn't trying to force shit on me, the studio has an SSL 4056 (I've worked on an 4000 E/G), the patchbay isn't hard to use (it came with the console) has some very rare outboard gear (but not as much outboard gear as the other studio), tuned room, monitors I'm familiar with, great mic selection, a REALLY LARGE ROOM that is used to track vocals, guitars, etc (baffles for isolation and sound control once in the room, but it sounds good without it.) I can get a day rate of 12 hours without an enginner for a reduced rate (but comes with assistant that will work the patch) or I can get it for 10 hours at his daily rate (with him engineering.)

Studio 2 has studio 1 beat when it comes to pricing but they have less gear. Both of the guys are good. Most importantly however, I vibe with both of them so that's a good thing. Both are in the same area, so distance is not a factor. Both understand my needs and wants. All I'm doing is tracking vocals (songs have already beeen chosen as I've done scratch tracks) so I'll come in with sessions that contain appropriate markers, appropriate number of tracks to be recorded on (and labeled), BPM/TEMPO info, key/root note info (just in case it is needed) and a two track rough mix of the music (it won't be loud and I'm comfortable with this.) All I need to do is track vocals, no mixing, I'll mix at my spot, then take it back out to another spot and adjusts ome things before I get it mastered. The project is a metal/rap project, I already know the material so I just want this to be the time to capture the performance.

Both spots are using PT 8 HD but if I record without an engineer, my bro can record me, but he doesn't have the experience with using large consoles so it would kind of be like throwing him to the wolves. Maybe I should have him assist first and then go the other way? Another option is to record at a smaller project studio like mine and go from there. I have two on my list, one of the guys actually contributed to the playing on my album, and the rate is lower. He has some good mics, a good interface, some nice pre amps but we would have to export/render the files so I can get them in PT or he will have to give me the Reaper sessions and let me do it myself. So yeah, that is what I'm faced with. I'm more concerned about this album than the flooded floor, but this album means a lot to me and there is nothing I can do about the floors now but let the insurance and repair guys do their thing. I need to finish this album, thats all that is on my mind.

So help me out people. I appreciate any questions, feedback, comments, opinions, etc that can be tossed my way.

Thanks,

HERESY

PS: At both spots when I played the music, both engineers said that if they were to remix the material, they would only make slight eq and volume adjustments. They said the material was in the ball park and that I might just want to bypass hitting another studio after I do my final mix. However, both said bringing the final mix in and printing from there is an option.

[P. Casso]

Honestly going to a commercial studio is about more than the gear you are also paying for a knowledgeable engineer. I would go with the engineer especially since you already have what you need to do planned out.

Using your friend may save you a few dollars but you are sort of throwing him to the wolves because he will have all of the tools around him that he doesn't know how to use. YOu may even benefit more by going to a smaller studio with a good vocal chain. Going to a studio with an SSL doesn't really matter much if you are going to be mixing later on without an SSL.

[HERESY/KNOKK SHOPE]

Honestly going to a commercial studio is about more than the gear you are also paying for a knowledgeable engineer. I would go with the engineer especially since you already have what you need to do planned out.

Using your friend may save you a few dollars but you are sort of throwing him to the wolves because he will have all of the tools around him that he doesn't know how to use. YOu may even benefit more by going to a smaller studio with a good vocal chain. Going to a studio with an SSL doesn't really matter much if you are going to be mixing later on without an SSL.

Good lookin out. Like I said, I already have experience on large consoles and I understand why one would use a commercial studio. Rates are dropping now, I mean REALLY dropping, so that's why I considered them and did the walkthroughs. I don't want to throw my folks to the wolves, but this would be a good time to get his feet wet with large consoles (assisting). He has PT experience and knows that inside and out, but I don't wanna put him in a situation where it's a bit more than just patching.

And it's not the SSL I'm concerned with, there have been plenty of albums recorded on other consoles or inside the box and then spread out on a different desk. I liek the sound of the 4000, yeah I admit that, but I didn't select those two studios because of the consoles. Which studio would you pick? 1 has more outboard gear, 2 has less outboard gear (but more rare gear) and the rates are lower.

And thanks for yout input fam, I appreciate this.

[P. Casso]

In that case it wouldn't be a bad idea to have him assist especially if you intend to continue to go there in the future.

Honestly I would just go for the lower rate. From your description I'm pretty sure they have a nice input chain.

[HERESY/KNOKK SHOPE]

In that case it wouldn't be a bad idea to have him assist especially if you intend to continue to go there in the future.

Honestly I would just go for the lower rate. From your description I'm pretty sure they have a nice input chain.

Good lookin out fam.

And I just got word that I have to vacate the crib tommorow afternoon. The floors tested positive for asbestos. ****in 60's crib.

But yeah, I'll be able to read this up until tommorow so good lookin out everyone.

[chris carter]

Who cares about the large console?!?! I mean, you are tracking vocals. The console is a non-issue. All you are going to do with it is use two channels panned L/R for the return from the DAW so you can get signal to the monitors. The console is just a ginormous monitor controller. That's it.

Pick the place with the best engineer, the signal chain you want, and the vibe you want. Everything else, all those extras, are meaningless.

[HERESY/KNOKK SHOPE]

Who cares about the large console?!?! I mean, you are tracking vocals. The console is a non-issue.

I don't. I already said I'm not concerned about that. I just listed the consoles so people would know what they have and, who knows, I may even use some of the channels of the consoles. Again, I didn't look into the spots because of the consoles. I considered these two spots (amongst others) because I have to record this project, want a new chain, can't record myself and the big spots with engineers around here have dropped there prices. I have two project studios with good chains I can go to (one of the guys contributed to the album) so the console is a non-issue, it always has been. The recording chain and person pushing the knobs is what I'm concerned with along with the day rate and how I vibe with the engineer.

All you are going to do with it is use two channels panned L/R for the return from the DAW so you can get signal to the monitors. The console is just a ginormous monitor controller. That's it.

I understand this but this is not what I'm asking. I'm not even worried about the console, fam.

Pick the place with the best engineer, the signal chain you want, and the vibe you want. Everything else, all those extras, are meaningless.

And this is where the dilema comes in. Both are good engineers, I can't say who is the best because they both have good references, good mixes, etc. I vibe with both of them. I like the vibe I get from both studios. So it's essentially, less gear less price more hours or more gear more price less hours. Thats the simplist way I can put it.

ETA: And good lookin out Chris, I appreciate it, fam.

[fataltone]

And this is where the dilema comes in. Both are good engineers, I can't say who is the best because they both have good references, good mixes, etc. I vibe with both of them. I like the vibe I get from both studios. So it's essentially, less gear less price more hours or more gear more price less hours. Thats the simplist way I can put it.

ETA: And good lookin out Chris, I appreciate it, fam.

if that's the case the answer is simple go with the cheaper rate studio
period
and enjoy

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[HERESY/KNOKK SHOPE]

if that's the case the answer is simple go with the cheaper rate studio
period
and enjoy

Good lookin out, fam. I don't know, maybe this shit with the crib got me overthinking, lol. That and I want this project to really shine, so I may be a bit over cautious.

BTW, both spots have what you would see when it comes to outboard gear it's just the first spot has a lot more things while the second spot has some rare gear and some of it is custom made/modded. I know we can get a good sound out of either spot, and the less gear the better might be appropriate right about now.

[chris carter]

The AMOUNT of gear is completely unimportant. For tracking vocals you need one mic and one preamp, maybe one compressor and maybe one EQ. Everything else will just be sitting there unused. So, all other factors being equal, which it sounds like it is, pick the studio that has that ONE signal chain you want.

You are definitely over-thinking things. And you've got a really bad case of gearacidis that needs to be treated by a doctor lol.

And honestly, if it's that close between the two, then just flip a coin because it won't matter.