Welcome to PSW’s Best of the Rec Pit. We kick off with a discussion in Bob Buomtempo’s “The Mix Fix” forum. This new feature is intended to bring to the surface nteresting threads of discussion that perhaps have been buried. Thanks to PSW Webmaster Ernie for this thread suggestion, and send your suggestions to PSW Editorial Director Keith Clark, keith@prosoundweb.com.

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Posted by chessparov How have the Fab Four recordings helped you to make better recordings? Are there any specific techniques you picked up? Thanks, Chris

Reply posted by phat-ass
Well, I have yet to get a chance (or have the guts) to mix a record the way I really want to. I realize the sound of those early stereo recordings of theirs was not supposed to be that way. Revolver is still my touchstone, after Loveless by My Bloody Valentine and just about anything from The Jesus and Mary Chain.

phat

Reply posted by leeflier
I couldn't tell you specifically what I've picked up. The Beatles' whole vibe (and the Stones' too) is so ingrained in every fiber of my being, that I think every recording I make has a lot of their influence without my even thinking about it. I think that's true of a lot of people whether they know it or not - certainly their use of multitracks, tape loops, effects etc. have influenced pretty much everyone who came after.

I've certainly miced more than one drum kit with a mic in the "Ringo" position halfway down his chest over the snare. I think a lot of the ways that I like to use compression were lifted from Beatles records (and yeah, Revolver is my fave too overall, but some of the drum sounds on the White Album were incredible). And a cool 3-part harmony, double tracked and drenched in plate reverb, never fails to give me the chills.

If I could ever make a recording that has a vibe like Rain I think I could die happy.

Lee


Reply posted by chessparov
One thing to respect IHMO about The Beatles is their recording metamorphasis from being "performance" orientation in their earlier albums, to a tendency for meticulously crafted productions.

Like going from the 10 or 11 hours it took to make their first record to Revolver et al. The turning point seems to be Beatles '65, partly due to Dylan's lyrical influence. Reading about the recording sessions, it's simply astonishing how many classic songs were cut in the "early days" within 5 takes. The vocals for both Rock and Roll Music and Kansas City were done in one take!

Chris


Reply posted by dwarf
“I've certainly miked more than one drum kit with a mic in the "Ringo" position halfway down his chest over the snare.”

Huh? I'm having trouble picturing this. Wouldn't the mic get in the way? Can you give a description of this one Lee?

Rob


Reply posted by themixfix
I use 'The Beatles' records to help me make MUSICAL recordings!!

I did live sound for a Beatlemania tour of Canada one summer, and (although I KNOW a LOT of Beatle fans DIDN'T like the whole idea of the show), I had the BEST time, and KNEW all the material SO WELL, that the cues came totally naturally to me,

PLUS, the guys were REALLY GOOD, and it was like getting to play Geoff Emerick/George Martin every night, but LIVE, in front of 10,000 Canadians, who LOVED the show!!

An excellent experience I'll NEVER forget!!

Bob Buontempo.


Reply posted by mynewlife
The most important thing is they've made it very easy for me to never be tempted to have more than four mics on our drums.... mainly cause our set isn't much bigger than Ringo's in the first place.

Second, it just shows me that you can't blame lack of tracks for deficiency... I just keep telling myself “Sgt. Pepper on a 4 track.... Abbey Road on an 8....." and it makes me feel all invigorated.


Reply posted by ortrejos
Despite my love for the band, I´ve never read anything about the technical part of their recordings. What books/materials do you consider to be the best and most informative for the engineer/producer?

Alberto Orti


Reply posted by rivers
There are several good books.... check out Mark Lewisohn book which documents all the Beatles sessions at Abbey Road, also George Martin's book All You Need Are Ears is straight from the horse's mouth. Man I wish Geoff Emerick would write a detailed book about his time with the Beatles and others.


Reply posted by chessparov
"All You Need IS Ears", by George Martin! The creative grammar usage for the book's title was intentional BTW.

Chris