Jump to content

Does an engineer's primary instrument affect their approach?


Recommended Posts

  • Members

I can play most anything, but guitar is my main instrument. I realize that I lean toward having the guitar too loud, so because of trying to compensate for it, I actually often mix the guitar too low. I'm learning to even out, but I'm really grateful for digital recording and the ability to easily remix.

Also, I've discovered that I really like "raw" music-by that I mean music that doesn't sound heavily produced and has mistakes in it. So when I'm doing arrangements or tracking with clients, I tend not to double track (or more) a lot of the instruments, or I'll have them leave certain unintentional things in there. That's another place I have a bent in a particular direction that I'm having to adjust to meet my clients needs instead of my own personal preference.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

i think it does a little. probably more at first tho. I know as a guitar player, i simply enjoy getting cool textures going for guitar which pretty much allows whatever sound ya'd like. as long as its good of coarse:D

ultimately, i think it makes you able to get a good sound faster for your instrument of choice. maybe not. but i know it takes me about a minute to mic a guitar amp provided all cables are run, mics setup, etc.

tho i do like me some loud guitars, it wouldn't matter without the rest.

it really is, what does the song need/want? and that's something that is different for everyone thank goodness.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I have a fairly wide range of intruments... Started on Piano, then trombone, in college I took up guitar, more recently bass and lastly drums.

The only real influance I can think of off the top is that the less I know about an instrument, the more I fuss over it. I'm really a beginner at drums and I spent hours trying to get the kick drum right... Why does it thump instead of thud? why the @#$&* is that snare drum ringing like that?... how do I make it stop? etc.

I suppose, like someone else mentioned, that for your main instrument you know what it is supposed to sound like, so there is less experimentation. You reproduce the sound you know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I've only mixed a couple songs at school but I don't think the instrument i play (the guitar) affects the way i mix. I always start with the drums and bass and do the keys/pads and guitar last. I've noticed i usually place the guitar to quiet in a mix right off the bat and have to go back and change it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...