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Post by chessparov on Jun 27, 2019 15:28:46 GMT -6
Some (understandably) heavy threads lately. So... Thought this might make a fun thread, for a change of pace. I was thinking either/both Recording Studio and Stage (live performances/also Sound Reinforcement). Figure you guys have seen and heard, maybe a thing or two!  Thanks in advance for your responses-and stories! Chris |
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Post by geoff738 on Jun 27, 2019 17:55:53 GMT -6
I so want Mixerman to be (mostly) true.
I still don’t know what band(s) it supposedly is about.
Cheers,
Geoff
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Post by geoff738 on Jun 27, 2019 18:19:29 GMT -6
Friend of a friend had a studio in a smallish Canadian city. Studio in a converted church. Gorgeous, enormous live room. Can’t remember console at the time Sony? D&R? Is that a thing? They might’ve had a Neotek at one time but I don’t think then.
Anywho, Christmas, we stop by for a visit. Actor from LA, but raised in the place where the studio is, is there with his girlfriend. He has backing tracks done in LA and he wants her to put lead vox on. Now, you probably would not know the actors name, but he has done some iconic roles. That you would definitely know. He’s got this ballad he wants to pitch to Bette Middler I recall. Don’t think it was Streisand. And we heard her sing that chorus, whooo boy. A lot. And it was exactly the same, pretty much. And, do it again. I mean, pretty typical studio stuff really, but we as visitors were finding it kinda comical after a while. What nit picky thing is he gonna find wrong with this one?
There was a bit more going on too but I’ll leave that out. I’d say you had to be there, but you’ve all been there I’m guessing. Studios are kinda inherently weird/funny when viewed from the outside I think. To see this perfectionist thing that was no doubt driving the girlfriend batty as she did take after take after take that to me not the artist were mostly indistinguishable.
But, I’ll say this, although I don’t think the tune ever got placed, I still remember it. So, maybe there was more to it than I thought. This was almost 30 years ago.
Cheers,
Geoff
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Post by chessparov on Jun 27, 2019 18:53:52 GMT -6
Cool story. After work, I'll see if I can come up with some funny stuff too.
Chris
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Post by geoff738 on Jun 27, 2019 20:36:28 GMT -6
I’m not sure it was particularly funny. There must be much better ones. I eagerly await.
Cheers,
Geoff
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Post by chessparov on Jun 27, 2019 22:04:40 GMT -6
Well, one funny variation of that, is in "A Shot In The Dark", where Peter Sellers AKA Inspector Clouseu, has the scene with his Junior Detective... Where Clouseu uses the Blackboard to "explain" who the Murderer is. If you've never seen it, check it out.
Chris
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Post by spindrift on Jun 27, 2019 22:09:30 GMT -6
While nowhere near the funniest thing to happen in the studio, this funny moment got captured at least. We were searching for an alternative to a typical shaker.
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Post by geoff738 on Jun 27, 2019 22:14:52 GMT -6
And nutritious!
Cheers,
Geoff
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Post by geoff738 on Jun 27, 2019 22:20:54 GMT -6
I’ll also say that I have no recollection of the recording chain in my anecdote, but I’d bet anything it was either an 87 or 414. That was all I ever saw back in those days, early 90s. I don’t remember seeing 47s etc. They may have been around, but not the studios I was in occasionally. It wasn’t until a friend went into Grant Ave, Lanois’ place in Hamilton in the late 90s, that I saw/ heard an M49. That was an ear opening occasion. Wow.
Lanois was long gone by then though
Cheers
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Geoff
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Post by spindrift on Jun 27, 2019 22:23:30 GMT -6
LOL, I always keep studio snacks stocked and the Triscuits have become a bit of a favorite for vocal tracking....go figure. This crew always has a great time when we work together....some fun and funny times!
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Post by geoff738 on Jun 27, 2019 22:29:49 GMT -6
Keeping the mood light is an important skill. It can make or break a session. Producers/engineers have to be able to do this with musicians. Not necessarily the most stable bunch at the best of times. Honorary psychology degrees all around!
Cheers,
Geoff
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Post by kevinnyc on Jun 28, 2019 9:16:50 GMT -6
One of my favorite stories Is from my friend (who I’m sure many of you know) who for many years managed one of our favorite studios in Manhattan.
She recalled one day looking at one of the security monitors in the office to notice the lead singer of Dexys midnight runners trying to escape with a stack of 2” tapes without paying his bill..
She ran out into the street, chased him and tackled him. Her description of the tapes unraveling down 8th street (😉) has stuck with me ever since 😂😂😂
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Post by chessparov on Jun 28, 2019 10:21:54 GMT -6
Eileen?  Chris |
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Post by rowmat on Jun 28, 2019 18:01:12 GMT -6
The funniest thing I heard recently was from our regular mastering engineer who had an old client contact him via email after many years regarding mastering a new album the client was working on.
He had returned from travelling to South America where he had experienced a 'spiritual re-awakening'.
To celebrate his spiritual re-awakening with the rest of the world he wanted to produce an album, a book and a video all limited to only 200 copies for a total production cost of $5k AUD ($3.5K USD) raised via crowd funding.
To top if off he told our mastering guy that his mastering budget for the entire album was $200 ($140 USD).
The mastering engineer responding by saying the must be LITERALLY tripping and then he hit 'Delete' on the email.
I told him the client should have gone on a Magical Mystery Tour to India see the Maharishi because the hashish is much better.
I guess he could have least offered a discount for anything containing Panflutes and Charangos!
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Post by svart on Jun 28, 2019 19:02:51 GMT -6
One band I had through here Had a particular member who was quite possibly one of the gassiest people I've ever known. I mean dude could fart a loud 3-5 second blast on command..
And I do mean like "hey dude, blast one" and he'd be like BRRRRPSqueeeeek.
So naturally while doing vocals he lets a loud one go, so I left it in. You couldn't hear it in the mix but in solo you could hear it as clear as the vocals themselves.
The band thought it was the best thing ever, so I placed fart samples hidden in all their songs. If you knew where to listen and you were really good at it you might pick out a fart in the mixes..
The band all hasn't found them all.
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Post by mrholmes on Jun 28, 2019 19:10:28 GMT -6
Heard a first-hand story about Al Schmitt and Al Jarreau. Jerreau said that his wife thinks something sounds bad. Schmitt picked up his cellphone called his wife, played back a few bars and said. "Well my wife thinks it sounds great" |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Jun 28, 2019 20:09:50 GMT -6
I had a punk band in and we were going to open the track with a beer cracking open. I've got the Flea47 up in the live room. Hit record, walk into the live room, get positioned just right for a solid crack...
...beer spraying everywhere. I'm trying to slurp it up. Laughing. Crying. Had to have one of the other guys run another take. 😂😂
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Post by jeremygillespie on Jun 28, 2019 20:56:38 GMT -6
One of my favorite stories Is from my friend (who I’m sure many of you know) who for many years managed one of our favorite studios in Manhattan. She recalled one day looking at one of the security monitors in the office to notice the lead singer of Dexys midnight runners trying to escape with a stack of 2” tapes without paying his bill.. She ran out into the street, chased him and tackled him. Her description of the tapes unraveling down 8th street (😉) has stuck with me ever since 😂😂😂 Damn... Mary was my studio “mom” for a few years. She told me that story when I interviewed to be an intern. Sort of a “don’t f with me” thing. We had a ton of laughs and I always loved her stories. |
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Post by NoTomorrow on Jun 28, 2019 21:06:44 GMT -6
One band I had through here Had a particular member who was quite possibly one of the gassiest people I've ever known. I mean dude could fart a loud 3-5 second blast on command.. And I do mean like "hey dude, blast one" and he'd be like BRRRRPSqueeeeek. So naturally while doing vocals he lets a loud one go, so I left it in. You couldn't hear it in the mix but in solo you could hear it as clear as the vocals themselves. The band thought it was the best thing ever, so I placed fart samples hidden in all their songs. If you knew where to listen and you were really good at it you might pick out a fart in the mixes.. The band all hasn't found them all. LOL |
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Post by chessparov on Jun 28, 2019 21:27:28 GMT -6
If I was in that band, I'd be fuming! Chris |
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Post by iamasound on Jun 29, 2019 3:22:33 GMT -6
One of my favorite stories Is from my friend (who I’m sure many of you know) who for many years managed one of our favorite studios in Manhattan. She recalled one day looking at one of the security monitors in the office to notice the lead singer of Dexys midnight runners trying to escape with a stack of 2” tapes without paying his bill.. She ran out into the street, chased him and tackled him. Her description of the tapes unraveling down 8th street (😉) has stuck with me ever since 😂😂😂 Dexy tried a runner. |
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Post by donr on Jun 30, 2019 4:43:19 GMT -6
Hard to run with your arms full of 2” tape reels.
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Post by geoff738 on Jun 30, 2019 13:07:28 GMT -6
Sorry donr, but somebody had to.
More cowbell, full sketch. It’s still pretty damn funny.
Cheers,
Geoff
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Post by donr on Jul 1, 2019 8:11:39 GMT -6
The Cowbell sketch has been both a curse and a blessing. And yeah, it's still funny. About 80% Christopher Walken, IMO. "Bruce Dickenson" wasn't the original producer, but the guy at SONY Legacy that does our re-issues. He enjoys his fame post-skit.
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Post by kilroyrock on Jul 1, 2019 13:40:09 GMT -6
The Cowbell sketch has been both a curse and a blessing. And yeah, it's still funny. About 80% Christopher Walken, IMO. "Bruce Dickenson" wasn't the original producer, but the guy at SONY Legacy that does our re-issues. He enjoys his fame post-skit. The truth behind the skit! I've been waiting for this moment... lol |
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