Retro > Single Mic Recording
Single Mic Recording
Single-mic recording is a RETRO method that using only a single microphone (usually an AEA 44-C pictured above) to capture all sounds during a recording session. The microphone is routed into our Custom Series 75 console, several parallel busses with outboard, analog gear (compressors, EQ’s, reverb, delay, etc) are patched in, and a single stereo mix is created live from the stereo mix bus on the console. Single-Mic recording is not for everyone, but is a great way to create a record in a very short amount of time, without the usual logistical/timing lags in tracking, overdubbing, mixing, mastering, and lacquer cutting. Please see below some examples of Single-Mic recording done previously at Austin Signal.
Single-Mic Recording
The standard Single-Mic session is 2 days of recording, 3 songs per day. This can be adjusted depending on the client’s wishes. Generally, we expect to record 3-4 takes per song; the artist(s) selects the best take of each song for final inclusion in the album. We provide some light mastering, and that completes the process.
Without question, some genre’s and band-configurations work better than others for this recording format. That being said, we’re certainly willing to try anything the client would like to do. Some things to consider:
· Well-rehearsed arrangements are very important. Not having this done prior to recording creates delays in the process, and quality can suffer as a result.
· Being able to sing on pitch, play in tune, and keep time is obviously very important. This seems like a glib statement, but without pitch correction, editing, over-dubbing, etc., lack of ability to execute creates an entirely different end result than a session with the corrective measures used in a ‘normal’ session.
· Since we are only using 1 microphone, with no DI’s or other inputs, we employ several techniques to get a great sound:
o For acoustic instruments, we many times plug them into amplifiers, where we can adjust volume and EQ easily.
o We employ spikes (marked floor positions) to sing and play from. You may have a position to solo from, and a different position to play rhythm, comp, etc. from. The same goes with vocal soloing vs. background vocals.
o We many times incorporate some number of parallel compression/eq that feed the stereo ‘mix’. This doesn’t violate the single-mic limitation, but does add punch and definition to the final product.
o We experiment with different delays/reverbs to be placed on the whole mix – it’s not possible to specifically allocate a reverb to only a vocal, for instance. These effects are usually stereo, so the final ‘mix’ sometimes has a stereo feel to it, even though a single mic was used to capture all of the program material.
Pricing
· 2 days of recording, 6 songs, mastering: $2,000
Options
· Lacquer masters cut for vinyl pressing: $150 per side
· Videography/video editing: TBD (you may certainly supply your own videographer/photographer is you like)
· Live lacquer-master cutting during recording available on request
· Vinyl Pressing is available on request