Re: RE:[Harp-L] Recording in studio...advice?

["Michael Polesky" <m.polesky@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Mike

There was a great feal of good advice to follow posted here on Harp-L - most 
of which I did not follow on my first recording.  Lots of practice and 
comfort level.  Bring your own equipment and backups.  Do things the way you 
like to and the way you have practiced them.  I did have one stroke of luck 
on my first recording that I think helped quite a bit.  That was that it was 
very "low stress".  We all really had fun and it showed quite positively in 
the tracks I put on CD.

One thing that means is allowing yourself adequate time in the studio.  It 
can be expensive, but it can really help.  Also, having a good attitude. 
Your "vibe" can affect the other players.  We recorded in my living room, so 
we had plenty of time and recorded until we were dead tired.  We made sure 
to have fun - including food, drink and all other amenities anyone wished. 
I also remembered not to let anyone feel pressured - even though it was my 
only shot at recording.  The fact that it was "low stress" and a "happy" day 
really helped.  We didn't practice very much or ever play the stuff live and 
not everyone was using his own equipment, but we managed to get something 
good going.  While the recording (in my living room) wasn't top notch 
professionsal, I have always been happy to hand it out to friends.  Because 
we were a happy bunch, we played like a group (although the band was put 
together piece-meal) and we definitely felt we should do it again.  Just add 
that little thought to the other, more salient advice you got.

Michael