Creating a safe space for Singers and Musicians (and some Gear Qs)

Hey Laura and Oli. Hope all is well!

Gear aside, it’s my understanding that the most important aspect of a session is to create a open and safe space. I reckon it’s especially important when working with a singer. Other than to just be a nice person how do set up the space and/or act to bring the best out of the person you record (both vocalists and musicians). Is there any routines, tips or tricks that you developed that helps?

And two gear Q (because we love us some gear too):

  1. What’s your go to, if you have one, setting for recording line in git/bass with TG2 pre amp? (I just bought myself one).

  2. How important is the Tube Tech CL1B to your Vocal recordings? Is it a must have for you guys or? When tracking with it roughly how much GR?

Thanks!

/ Carl

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Hey Carl!

Obviously be a good person and friendly, and also know when to leave the room - you dont want to crowd someone so if I’m not needed in that moment I might sneak out. You can normally pick up when someone wants a bit of space so be receptive to those signals. Especially when tracking vocals we tend to not have many people around unless the artist wants that - it’s sort of an unwritten rule.

Where in the room someone records can be important. Some people like a booth as a space that feels like theirs and some people prefer to relax on the sofa at the back of the room. I tend to find that the more you make recording vocals feel like a ‘thing’, the more pressure it creates - a sofa or similar can be a great way to make someone feel at home. Its also why we tend to favour rooms where everyone is in the same space rather than separated by glass and talkback mics. I’d sacrifice ‘audio quality’ for artist comfort any day. It really depends on the artist and you can always ask them how they like to record and adapt.

  1. no real go to settings, but its so versatile in that you can get a clean signal or get that nice crunch very quickly.
  2. I think now it’s become more important, especially if we’re doing drop ins. Often writing/production is intertwined and ‘real’ vocals can be recorded at any time and place in the process. I came from the UK where La-2a is more often the go to so I think it’s about what you’re used to and comfortable with. And GR - not too much! It’s mostly there to just catch loud moments than to really shape the sound. I’ll adjust it pretty regularly depending on artist/song.
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Thank you Oli! Much appreciated. :slight_smile: