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

**epotts06** · 06-20-2012

It really doesnt matter. IMO recording to pro tools hd isnt that hard so you could find any studio with an hd rig and record there. If its only one source it doesnt matter find a cheaper place with a capable engineer. As long as they know their quick keys and vibe well you'll be fine...you should be lucky to have access to two good engineers.

**HERESY/KNOKK SHOPE** · 06-20-2012

Originally Posted by 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.

More gear = more room to experiment. I don't want the chain to be the same from song to song. One of the engineers likes to stack the compressors, I'm cool with that and have done it before myself, so I don't think thats a problem. I have lead vocals to record, my background vocals, guest artist main vocals, background, etc so I do want to experiment a little bit. Not too much but a little bit is cool.

So, all other factors being equal, which it sounds like it is, pick the studio that has that ONE signal chain you want.

Chris, lol, I can't say. Both have pretty impressive signal chains.

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.

LOL. Well thats why I'm seeking advice here. If it were someone else I'd steer them in the right direction. I knew I was gonna have this problem when it came to tracking vocals, but I can also track at a smaller spot with less gear. But yeah, they have some pretty nice gear at both spots.

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

I've relied on flipism before so this may be a case where I do it again.

But what about tracking at both spots? OK, OK, I kid, but seriously both spots are equal so I'm gonna make my choice tonight, book tommorow and live with it.

**hollandturbine** · 06-20-2012

As well as offering an unbiased ear an engineer will allow you to relax about the technical aspects so you can focus on just your performance.

**sleepy** · 06-20-2012

I don't know that I'd base my decisions on a little less outboard if we're talking about really good chains. At that point, they may be different but not necessarily one better than the other. Of course, everyone has their gear preferences and you have a preference for the studio with more outboard, it seems. Nothing wrong with that. It's always nice to have options.

If this is a personal projects, I would tend to lean towards whatever studio provided me with a better workflow. I don't record much any more, but a lot of people preferred to work with me because I was usually pretty quick when going from one take to the next, lining things up when needed, fixing little issues, and maintaining the flow within the session. If I was working on something, I'd want the same. I'd skip on the exotic gear if it meant a better work environment. If they're similar as far as workflow, I think the decision is simple.

**[F_or_DEAF]** · 06-20-2012

Originally Posted by P. Casso

you are also paying for a knowledgeable engineer

word.

at the end of the day, EXPERIENCE > GEAR

**WeissSound** · 06-20-2012

Check really hard into the credentials. Not too many folks are well versed in both rap and metal. It's not always simple as just throw a good chain at the vocalist. For example - if you switch into screaming during your verses, or if you like to run your verse right into your chorus, or even if you just don't want to wait long between different vocal parts - the engineer may consider setting up both an LDC for your main vocals, and a LD dynamic for your screams. You may not want the larger room for your vocals, sometimes a smaller room is better - particularly if it's a properly constructed iso. I'd weigh the difference heavily on the engineer of preference. And all things being equal, go to the place where you can get more time, so you can relax between takes, make changes, experiment, etc.

**[F_or_DEAF]** · 06-20-2012

Originally Posted by chris carter

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

good advice

**HERESY/KNOKK SHOPE** · 06-21-2012

Originally Posted by sleepy

I don't know that I'd base my decisions on a little less outboard if we're talking about really good chains. At that point, they may be different but not necessarily one better than the other. Of course, everyone has their gear preferences and you have a preference for the studio with more outboard, it seems. Nothing wrong with that. It's always nice to have options.

I really don't have a preference when it comes to gear. I like seeing stuff like distressors, la-2a's, 1176n's, some of the dbx stuff, api, avalon you know the stuff you would find in a large suite or mid range studio, because I know how to use those. But there is no preference like I must have this or that. However, one spot has a Shadow Hills Gama 8. I know what this is and pointed it out when I saw it, but never used one before and the same can be said for the Retro Sta-Level. I think this is going to be a case of just trusting the engineer like people have trusted me to make music and mix for them. I vibe with both guys so we can work as a team to get things done.

If this is a personal projects, I would tend to lean towards whatever studio provided me with a better workflow. I don't record much any more, but a lot of people preferred to work with me because I was usually pretty quick when going from one take to the next, lining things up when needed, fixing little issues, and maintaining the flow within the session. If I was working on something, I'd want the same. I'd skip on the exotic gear if it meant a better work environment. If they're similar as far as workflow, I think the decision is simple.

Both guys have a workflow similar to mine. They're thinking ahead, they are willing to offer constructive criticism, they do things you need them to do before you even ask (lol) and they both work fast.

Originally Posted by WeissSound

Check really hard into the credentials. Not too many folks are well versed in both rap and metal. It's not always simple as just throw a good chain at the vocalist. For example - if you switch into screaming during your verses, or if you like to run your verse right into your chorus, or even if you just don't want to wait long between different vocal parts - the engineer may consider setting up both an LDC for your main vocals, and a LD dynamic for your screams. You may not want the larger room for your vocals, sometimes a smaller room is better - particularly if it's a properly constructed iso. I'd weigh the difference heavily on the engineer of preference. And all things being equal, go to the place where you can get more time, so you can relax between takes, make changes, experiment, etc.

I'll dig a bit deeper Weiss. Both guys played metal and rap mixes but neither had metal/rap combo or any nu metal stuff on their resume. However, what I did hear from both of them was really good. One of the engineers played a mix for me and the song sounded like an Alice In Chains song, the music sounded like it and the vocalist sounded a bit like Layne Staley so it caught my attention right off the bat. I actually won't be doing a lot of screaming on this, someone else will, but it's pretty much me rapping, lowering my pitch at points and using vocal fry. So I do want to switch things up a bit when it comes to mics. Both spots have good mics but the larger room, while it did sound good, had me second guessing (all bold sections in the OP denote things that really caught my attention.) And I do want to relax. I guess things are different because now I'm in the artists shoes again, and not just making music and engineering for the artist I come across on my own/networking or from someone spreading my name around, so getting outside opinions helps a lot.

Originally Posted by hollandturbine

As well as offering an unbiased ear an engineer will allow you to relax about the technical aspects so you can focus on just your performance.

And thats all I really want to do but I'm open to experimentation. The good thing is we got the music down so there is no need to redo any of the guitar, bass or drum parts and like I said, I know the material and have done scratch tracks of the vocals, so I'm ready to go.

In closing, I gotta go finish packing the rest of this stuff. I REALLY appreciate all the help, opinions, insight and knowledge you've shared because I'm putting myself back in the artists shoes and it's a bit difficult when you've been doing other things and making choices for other people, so you guys are my extra eyes and ears. I thank you all for that.