Steps of the Recording Process

These are typical steps in recording a band. Other types of recordings use different steps but follow a similar process.

1) Preliminary work: The engineer gets session information before the session date. He configures a rough room layout considering the instruments possibly having to move equipment out making room for the positioning of musicians and different instruments. Microphones, stands, cue boxes, cables, and anything anticipated to be used for the session is prepped for the session. A recording template is built for the first song ready to be filled in when the band arrives at scheduled session time and starts on item 2) below. When possible the preliminary work is done a day in advance.

2) The setup of instruments: including tuning, microphone placement, making track assignments, general patching to recording and outboard equipment, level adjustments, and sound check.

3) Recording basic tracks: typically a rhythm section with drums, bass, guitar, and or keyboard with a guide vocal all recorded on separate tracks.

4) Recording over dubs: includes listening for and fixing any mistakes and adding additional parts including all vocals and solos.

5) Mixing down: All the recorded tracks are mixed into the sound field balancing frequency range, dimension, panning, volume and tone including some enhancing with processors. Tracks may get some cleaning up, repair, editing or additional musical magic added. The mix down blends all this together to create the complete sound of the song. For high quality this is usually the most time consuming and a very critical phase of the recording process.

6) Mastering including editing and sequencing: Mastering is taking the stereo mix and putting the final polish on it. It consists of evening out levels, pumping it up a little and possibly overall equalization. Editing and fades are involved, sequencing the songs in order and making the CD master.