Not just another Nashville Recording Studio

In this day and age, access to recording studios is easier than one could have ever imagined. Aspiring musicians have an abundance of options when it comes to choosing a place to record the album of their dreams. However, The Record Shop is not just another Nashville recording studio. There are a number of reasons why it stands out as among the best options for both upcoming and established musicians.

We have a team of skilled vocalists and players

If you have recently written a great song and you want to take it to the next level, The Record Shop is the best Nashville recording studio to visit. Not only do we have a team of skilled vocalists and all the necessary recording equipment to make your hit a success, we also realize the importance of stepping back and letting the songwriter make the big decisions. While the trained professions at The Record Shop are always ready to help in anyway it can, you can decide the session players, vocalists and production style that goes into making your song a reality.

Our help goes beyond producing records

We do not stop talking to our clients once the record production process is completed. As a matter of fact, we offer a range of post-production services that ensure that we are not just another Nashville recording studio. The Record Shop can help aspiring musicians with its various artist development and marketing programs.

We offer competitive pricing

Unlike almost any other Nashville recording studio, The Record Shop does not charge per hour. This means that people who come in to record their music do not have to keep one eye on the clock during their stay. The Record Shop charges a sum of money on the completion of the project. Various packages are available for different kinds of records.

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4 Music Recording Websites Every Musician Should Bookmark

With the continual growth of the internet, the number of tools available to musicians on the internet to help boost the quality and understanding of their music has increased dramatically. In an increasingly competitive industry, what often separates one aspiring musician from the other is his or her knowledge of music recording websites that every musician should be familiar with. This blog post hopes to familiarize you with 4 music recording websites that you must use frequently if you want to expedite your success in the world of music.

1. audiotuts+

audiotuts+ has some of the most comprehensive music tutorials anywhere on the internet. If you don’t want to spend your money on expensive music classes, you can simply visit audiotuts+. Some tutorials are available free, but for others, you will need to buy access to the Tuts+ Premium section of the site. Here you can learn the best techniques on how to mix, produce and master the art of creating music.

2. Scalerator

This powerful online tool allows musicians to generate scales and tablatures. All you have to do is enter in the scale you wish to learn and click on generate and you’ll get all the charts you could possibly need. This is a really effective way to learn different notes and scales that every musician should be familiar with.

3. YouTube

YouTube may not be solely a music recording website, but make no mistake. It probably has the most training resources anywhere on the web. The downside to using YouTube is that it is not as easy to find useful resources as it might be no dedicated music recording websites. However, if you master the search feature, you will definitely stumble onto some real gold.

4. musictheory.net

As its URL suggests, this is among a handful of music recording websites that teaches visitors the ins and outs of music theory. If you feel you don’t have the kind of knowledge people around you do about the ins and outs of music, musictheory.net has just the resources for you. It features trainers, lessons and a number of utilities.

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Picking the Perfect Songs for your Demo

A high quality demo recording is the first step to becoming a music sensation, and most musicians know it. Just like salespeople have calling cards that they hand out to prospective clients, musicians hand out their demos so that they can land themselves gigs and earn money. If you want to become a successful musician, it is imperative that you take time out for picking the perfect songs for your demo.

Picking the perfect songs for your demo is not rocket science. As a matter of fact, all you need to do is rely on your common sense. In case you don’t have any, there is no need to worry! Just go through this guide to picking the perfect songs for your demo and implement away.

Make sure your demos are the highest quality you can afford

Sometimes, it is worth paying an extra buck to get something of superior quality. Some people think they can record their demos at home, but the fact of the matter is that with the level of competition out there, inferior quality demos are often not even heard fully. Musicians are not hired to play at events unless they are able to make quality products, regardless of how great the songs they have written are.

Short and simple demos speak the loudest

Regardless of how good you think your music is, keep in mind that people who are looking to hire musicians are generally very busy. The last thing you should do is bore them with a three-hour tape of you performing every song you possibly know. By doing so, not only do you stand the risk of putting them to sleep or seriously annoying them, but also of perhaps revealing a potential flaw in your music. It is best to pick out a song or two that you KNOW will captivate them. Seeking the opinion of an impartial person may suit you best.

Choose songs that showcase you as an artist, and your full potential

The main purpose of a demo tape is so that you can prove to people who have never heard you play that you have what it takes to perform for them. You should make sure each song you put in shows a different side of your musical ability. Since it is likely that the different people who listen to your demo are looking for something different, it is essential to showcase as much of your talent and ability as possible in the shortest possible tape.

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Studio Tips: Three steps to effective pre-production

One of the most exciting aspects of my job is having the opportunity to do something new everyday. Running a recording studio in Nashville, I have been privileged to work on an eclectic range of projects. While every record requires a unique approach, detailed preparation is consistently a key element of the process. This week, we take a look at the basic elements of effective pre-production.

Demos: Keep it simple

There is a common saying in the music industry that you can tell you have a great song when you can strip it down to the most basic elements and it still resonates with the listener. Recording a basic demo, or “work tape,” is an important step in choosing the right songs and preparing for the studio. 

Many songs can be effectively demoed with a guitar/vocal or piano/vocal arrangement. For bands, recording a rehearsal is a great way to capture the raw vibe of the tunes. When recording your initial demos, remember to keep it simple.  The “vision” of the material will often evolve during pre-production. You may also find that some revisions are necessary, in order to maintain cohesiveness within the record. A basic demo will provide you, and the producer, with a fresh canvas to outline the direction of the project. 

If you plan on performing to a metronome (click) in the studio, it is wise to record your demo with one as well. Not only is it good practice, but once you begin your demo recording, it is important to lock in the “feel” of the song by finding the right tempo. Once you complete the demo process, the next step is to define your sound.

Define your sound: Choosing your colors

Throughout the process of writing your material, working out arrangements, and recording your basic demos, you have already begun to develop the vision for your songs. In order to define the overall vibe of your record, you’ll want to begin an in-depth analysis of your tunes and outline the basic elements of your sound.   

You can start by defining the “sonic character” of your record. I refer to this as the combination of instrumentation, tone, space, depth, and vibe. For example, if you are recording a rock project you may want a heavy drum sound, wide guitars, in your face vocals, and a “live feel.” A pop-country ballad might call for clean drums, warm guitars, and smooth vocals. Every genre has its basic elements. Developing your spin on the style is an essential aspect of pre-production. However, it can be helpful to analyze recordings that influence your music. Try to use recordings that directly relate to the sound and vibe that you’re after. These “reference tracks” will be an excellent starting point for your production and arrangement. 

The next step is choosing the instrumentation. Listen through your demos and make a list of the instruments required for each song. It will be helpful to make notes of the desired “tone” for each element as well. 

You will also want to begin working out the arrangement. You may find that dropping out, or adding, a section will improve the flow of the song. Where the instruments are introduced, or cut, out can also make a big difference in the dynamics of the arrangement. If you are after a “commercial” production, you may need to revise your arrangement to follow the basic structure of the genre. It is important to maintain your artistic integrity, but there are times where a little compromise can make a song more commercially viable. In most cases, finding a good balance between following the format and maintaining originality is the way to go.

As you outline the elements for each song, it is important to keep the “big picture” in mind. While we live in a time where the single is king, cohesiveness between your songs plays a big part in defining your sound and making a great record. 

Rehearsal: Get it right before you go red

Great recordings come from great performances. One of the keys to an exceptional record is capturing the moment where the emotion is flowing and everything comes together just right. There is nothing that kills the excitement of recording more than trying to figure out the right part in the middle of a session. Taking the time to work out the songs, before your step in the studio, will allow you to focus your energy on the vibe of the recording.

If you plan on recording to a click, it is important to rehearse with one as well. Since you played to a click on your initial demos, it will be easier to incorporate this into rehearsal. It helps to send the click to a pair of headphones for the drummer, as well as running it through the PA. If possible, try recording your rehearsals for reference.

Start by playing through the songs until everyone is comfortable with the tempo and their parts. Once you have the performance down, you can listen back to your recordings and see if there are any revisions that could be benefitial to the arrangement. Don’t be scared to experiment with additional parts, breakdowns, etc. 

Once you’ve got the performances down, take some time to try out different tones to see what works best for each song. A different instrument, amp, or drums can add some flavor to the various tunes. This will also save you time when your dialing in the sounds in the studio.

Now that you have everything locked in, make note of your tones and record the final rehearsal. It will be helpful to listen to these tracks during the time leading up to your recording. This can also be a great reference during your sessions. If you are bringing in any sessions players for the record, be sure to give them a copy of your final demos so they can get to know the songs.

Effective pre-production takes plenty of time and patience. However, if you take the time to get it right before the light goes red, your record will thank you.

I hope this article provided you with the information you need to get started with pre-production. We would love to hear your questions, comments, and feedback! If we can be of any assistance, feel free to drop us a line!

Giovanni-

therecordshop1 (@) gmail.com

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