Recording Your Own Performances

Jason Rumley · From: Foley, Minnesota, USA

I've heard in other fields that recording yourself is a big help to improvement and knowing what to practice. I've been doing it for a while(<6 months) and I've noticed how I've improved but I hear a lot of room for more improvement, obviously.

Who else does this and do you find it useful as well?
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Lynn Fargo · From: Fort Edward, NY

I like to record, also. Hearing it back you can be more objective. You're actually hearing what others are hearing, not what you're trying to do.
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Bill Terry · From: Bastrop, TX

I do it all the time, it's a huge reality check. I have one of those little portable recorders, and just find a spot somewhere on the stage and turn it on and forget it until the end of the night.

The big surprise for me is that a lot of times what I thought sounded 'so good' as I played it tends to be 'not so good' when I hear it back. Occasionally you get lucky with recorder placement and get a fairly good band recording too.
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Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

I've recorded almost every gig I've ever played (rehearsals, too), as a means of continuous improvement.
I like to listen to them in my daily travels and continually hone-in on, and correct, any intonation issues having to do with myself or any other member/instrument/harmonies/etc...
I'm still using a Mini-disk player I bought in 2000.
If I had to buy one today I'd be looking for a live music Video/Audio recorder (I think the brand is "Zoom", others will know the latest brand/model).

Ray Thomas · From: Goldsboro North Carolina

I'v been recording my pratice and find that it helps, I use a camcorder mike which works pretty good but would like something with a little more fidelity, any thoughts and what do some of you use?

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

I noticed that the "Recording" section of this Forum has alot of up to date info on this type of stuff.

Alan Berdoulay · Posted 9 May 2012 3:49 am

akin to taking notes in class

Ray Thomas · From: Goldsboro North Carolina

Had'nt thought of that, will go there, thanks

Bo Legg · Posted 9 May 2012 8:28 am

When I hear myself in a recording I always ask myself "I wonder what a real PSG player would have played?"
I've noticed that vocalists seem not to notice how bad they are even after hearing a recording.
Amazingly they think they are the greatest vocalist around.
There is something in their DNA that makes them immune tonally.
Sometimes they're so bad I wish I was tone deaf.

Stuart Legg · Posted 9 May 2012 8:39 am

Bo you forgot about the one singer I recorded by placing a small recorder on the stage floor who said he sounded bad on the recording.
He said it wasn't mixed properly.
I threw it in the trash "now that's what I call a good mix". Laughing

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

i used to record alot. it's interesting that sometimes when you thought you were good, you weren't and sometimes when you thought you were bad, you weren't.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

Anything recorded while on beer & bennies will not sound as good when replayed after the sun comes up.
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chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

.....but it was fun!

Clete Ritta · From: San Antonio, Texas

I like to record rehearsals and performances as much as possible. This is especially helpful when writing an original song to document different versions as it progresses. I use a Zoom R16, but the 2 channel recorders will work equally well.

Ive found that recording right from the mixing board can work well if the stage levels are good and everything is mixed well up front. This isnt always the case though. The recording will be clean, but the mix isnt always so good. This happens usually in smaller venues where stage volume has more effect on the main mix. Certain elements that dont need to be in the main mix as much invariably get lost in the recording in this manner.

The other option is to find a place in the room to set the recorder where you can capture the sound from the audience perspective. This is often the best way to judge not only the performance, but how well everything is mixed.

Clete

Henry Matthews · From: Texarkana, Ark USA

I record our show every Sat. Night and take home to listen. Some times I sound terrible when I thought I sounded ok and then other nights I sound ok. I record 16 tracks using Capture off a Presonus 1642 board. I get top notch recordings that can be carried home and mixed down in Studio One or any DAW for that matter.
Recording yourself is a really good way to improve yor playing.
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