Curious about the music industry? Find out stuff.

[BonsaiK]

Damn I haven't even discussed mixing from a desk/computer point of view...

You should discuss it, then. I don't know anything about that anyway.

I've touched on it briefly but I'll go into more detail in a couple days because it'll be another epic post.

 

[BonsaiK]

Big thanks for this thread! One potentially silly question for you: if you record a band 'live' into several channels through mics. Do you need to isolate the instruments? Will the guitar mic pick up the drums and it somehow sound weird? Amateur band, and small rehearsal/ recordin space:/ thanks a ton again!

It's nice to be able to isolate the instruments, put it that way. If you can do it, do it. Matresses as the other guy suggested do work well. So do office dividers. Offices are always chucking out those fucking things, grab some if you see them in a trash pickup. Use whatever you got. But don't be too fussy. Don't let it compromise your performance. If there's so much shit lying around that performers start feeling "funny" - then get rid of some.

Pro studios will have isolation booths where you can put your amplifier (so the bass doesn't leak into the drum mics etc), while you actually sit in another room and play with your bandmates, while listening to a mix through headphones. However, we're talking about a demo quality recording here and for a demo, pristine audio is less important than a killer performance. If you've got to compromise something, compromise a little sound quality before you compromise performance quality. In fact I'd argue that's always the case, but especially for a demo.

 

[BonsaiK]

I got a couple of questions as well. Does record company value originality not only general musicianship? Also what consequence the artist can expect, when he breaks the contract or does it vary from company to company?

Yes record companies value originality... but usually in small doses, unless it's a really strange label that likes to explore the fringe. Something completely new and different probably won't sell, but something that gets a popular formula and twists it slightly might sell very well indeed.

Breaching the contract... the contract itself will state what happens if you break the terms. This of course can vary but usually amounts to the artist not getting paid in some manner or form. In extreme cases the artist may not get their album released, be dumped off the label or even forfeit the rights to their own material! All the more reason to always have a music industry lawyer present during contract negotiations.

 

[BonsaiK]

I'm interested in entering the industry in the technical side, and I have experience using a lot of hardware and software, as well as doing some recording on my own, as I'mm a qualified musician as well. What would you recommend as the best way of getting a foot through the door into the recording industry?

Networking. Go record at studios, go to all the big ones where you are, get to know people who work there. Tell them you're looking for work. Get invited to parties. Meet more people. Rinse and repeat.

 

[KaiRai]

How do you get into the music industry? I have a friend that wants to be a Radio DJ at some point. So like...where would he have to work himself up from?

 

[Gorden Springel]

Gotta say when I first seen the thread I wasn't all that excited to read it but so far I have found it very interesting, thanks for making it and responding to everyone. On piracy, if its a small band I would never pirate their music, that would be pretty low, if its a big band, I avoid it anyway, unless I'm looking for a live version or something I cant find. Anyway, my question is, have you ever met the band Billy Talent, they have been my favorite band since I heard their first single and while I have met them before, it was only for a few minutes, and I would be interested in knowing if they are as cool as I thought they were when I met them.

 

[Vhite]

Wow, you could build a house from so many walls of text. I dont know much about music so I cant really ask anything but its surely interesting to read.

 

[Ham_authority95]

To D.I. means to record directly (Direct Input). As in, plug the bass guitar straight into the mixing board.

However, you may want to run your amp at the same time, that's where a D.I. box comes in. It takes a split from your bass guitar output that can go to a mixing desk, and also leaves another split which goes to your amplifier.

Some of the flashier bass amplifers have a built in DI output. They are usually XLR (three-pin microphone style connector). Check if your bass amp has one, it will be clearly labelled as such. If not either get a DI box, or just forget the amp altogether and plug straight into the mixing console. You'll be pleased to know that DI boxes are actually quite cheap. They don't typically cost as much as, say, an effects pedal.

That sounds cool, I'll definitely look into that.

Also, how strongly would you recommend using D.I for live shows?

 

[Ham_authority95]

Damn I haven't even discussed mixing from a desk/computer point of view...

You should discuss it, then. I don't know anything about that anyway.

I've touched on it briefly but I'll go into more detail in a couple days because it'll be another epic post.

And another block of text epic post it will be.

 

[Datsle]

Big thanks for this thread! One potentially silly question for you: if you record a band 'live' into several channels through mics. Do you need to isolate the instruments? Will the guitar mic pick up the drums and it somehow sound weird? Amateur band, and small rehearsal/ recordin space:/ thanks a ton again!

It's nice to be able to isolate the instruments, put it that way. If you can do it, do it. Matresses as the other guy suggested do work well. So do office dividers. Offices are always chucking out those fucking things, grab some if you see them in a trash pickup. Use whatever you got. But don't be too fussy. Don't let it compromise your performance. If there's so much shit lying around that performers start feeling "funny" - then get rid of some.

Pro studios will have isolation booths where you can put your amplifier (so the bass doesn't leak into the drum mics etc), while you actually sit in another room and play with your bandmates, while listening to a mix through headphones. However, we're talking about a demo quality recording here and for a demo, pristine audio is less important than a killer performance. If you've got to compromise something, compromise a little sound quality before you compromise performance quality. In fact I'd argue that's always the case, but especially for a demo.

Yer, agree on the performance > sound quality, and that will most likely be the case, but it is still worth doing tho, if its one of few options? Just worrying that things leak over, feedback etc. before i get myself around to buy a decent mixer / mics
(Lack of experience talking)

 

[BonsaiK]

How do you get into the music industry? I have a friend that wants to be a Radio DJ at some point. So like...where would he have to work himself up from?

Volunteer work, networking, doing courses, more networking, and networking. Pretty much. Also, support the live music scene where you live, go and see shows - every week. Network there too obviously.

 

[BonsaiK]

Gotta say when I first seen the thread I wasn't all that excited to read it but so far I have found it very interesting, thanks for making it and responding to everyone. On piracy, if its a small band I would never pirate their music, that would be pretty low, if its a big band, I avoid it anyway, unless I'm looking for a live version or something I cant find. Anyway, my question is, have you ever met the band Billy Talent, they have been my favorite band since I heard their first single and while I have met them before, it was only for a few minutes, and I would be interested in knowing if they are as cool as I thought they were when I met them.

I saw them backstage at Soundwave 2009 but I didn't bother to talk to them because I don't really have any business with them. They didn't do anything that I saw that made me think that they weren't okay guys, let's put it that way.

 

[BonsaiK]

To D.I. means to record directly (Direct Input). As in, plug the bass guitar straight into the mixing board.

However, you may want to run your amp at the same time, that's where a D.I. box comes in. It takes a split from your bass guitar output that can go to a mixing desk, and also leaves another split which goes to your amplifier.

Some of the flashier bass amplifers have a built in DI output. They are usually XLR (three-pin microphone style connector). Check if your bass amp has one, it will be clearly labelled as such. If not either get a DI box, or just forget the amp altogether and plug straight into the mixing console. You'll be pleased to know that DI boxes are actually quite cheap. They don't typically cost as much as, say, an effects pedal.

That sounds cool, I'll definitely look into that.

Also, how strongly would you recommend using D.I for live shows?

Bass guitar is often D.I.ed live. Keyboards and any electronic shit like samplers, KAOS pads etc pretty much always is. It's just easier and more idiot-proof than micing the cabinets - one less mic stand for the musicians to accidentally bump or spill beer into. Also you don't have to worry about feedback as much. If it's an option always do it. Electronic artists should buy their own D.I. boxes.

 

[BonsaiK]

Big thanks for this thread! One potentially silly question for you: if you record a band 'live' into several channels through mics. Do you need to isolate the instruments? Will the guitar mic pick up the drums and it somehow sound weird? Amateur band, and small rehearsal/ recordin space:/ thanks a ton again!

It's nice to be able to isolate the instruments, put it that way. If you can do it, do it. Matresses as the other guy suggested do work well. So do office dividers. Offices are always chucking out those fucking things, grab some if you see them in a trash pickup. Use whatever you got. But don't be too fussy. Don't let it compromise your performance. If there's so much shit lying around that performers start feeling "funny" - then get rid of some.

Pro studios will have isolation booths where you can put your amplifier (so the bass doesn't leak into the drum mics etc), while you actually sit in another room and play with your bandmates, while listening to a mix through headphones. However, we're talking about a demo quality recording here and for a demo, pristine audio is less important than a killer performance. If you've got to compromise something, compromise a little sound quality before you compromise performance quality. In fact I'd argue that's always the case, but especially for a demo.

Yer, agree on the performance > sound quality, and that will most likely be the case, but it is still worth doing tho, if its one of few options? Just worrying that things leak over, feedback etc. before i get myself around to buy a decent mixer / mics
(Lack of experience talking)

Yeah things will leak a bit, whether you baffle shit off or not, but it's not that big a deal. Especially not for a demo recording, fuck it. Do it anyway if it doesn't take too much time and it's not a big hassle for the band, but don't go spending half a day baffling a room unless you're seriously bored.

 

[open trap]

snip

Do you get free cd's and concert tickets, are you friends with so me of the bands you have worked with and are you friends with Dave Mustaine

 

[Ham_authority95]

Bass guitar is often D.I.ed live. Keyboards and any electronic shit like samplers, KAOS pads etc pretty much always is. It's just easier and more idiot-proof than micing the cabinets - one less mic stand for the musicians to accidentally bump or spill beer into. Also you don't have to worry about feedback as much. If it's an option always do it. Electronic artists should buy their own D.I. boxes.

Ok, I was just wondering because there's a plug on my amp that says "Bal. line out" that the
sound engineer always plugs into at my larger shows. Its that basically the same thing?

 

[meticadpa]

What is your opinion on the loudness war, and how adversely do you think it's affecting music today?

As something of an audiophile, I really can't stand it.

 

[BonsaiK]

What do you think of the RIAA?

I don't think of the RIAA. In Australia we have APRA which perform basically the same function which is collecting royalties etc. They do things I don't like sometimes (mainly to do with their systems of collection for radio) but I'm not going to go there, it'll get too legalese.

As for any RIAA actions specifically, legal disputes are really common in this industry and I tend to glaze over when I read about all that stuff especially if it's happening in a country that I don't live in. I'm not actually that passionate about RIAA issues, believe it or not.

 

[BonsaiK]

snip

Do you get free cd's and concert tickets, are you friends with so me of the bands you have worked with and are you friends with Dave Mustaine

I get free concert tickets all the time (or more commonly I just get my name on a door list and thus get to enter for free when I show my ID). Thank fuck for that too, because there's simply no way I could afford to pay my way with the prices the things are these days.

I'm friends with some bands. Not going to say who. Most of then are "business acquaintances" rather than friends though - there's only few who I'd actually call friends in the true sense of the word. Mind you, when most people in the industry say "we're friends with [insert band/industry person here]" what they usually mean is that they met them backstage once and had a beer or something and never saw them again.

I've never met Dave Mustaine, but I've seen Megadeth play a long time ago, just after they did "Rust In Peace". I wasn't working in the industry back then, so I had to pay for that one.