Different Techniques for Different Music

Different types of music are sometimes recorded in different ways. There are no hard and fast rules and experience and common sense will often be the deciding factors in how a good recording is achieved.

Two different types of recording are outlined below in very simple terms. It should be stressed that the examples given are only guidelines - no two recording sessions are ever exactly the same.

The Classical Recording

Classical music recording methods can be split into two broad types:

Small Ensembles:
Small ensembles, such as solo artists or string quartets are typically recorded with the minimum equipment possible, such as:

• As few microphones as possible – two is often good enough.
• Directly onto digital tape (e.g. DAT) or into a computer – missing out the mixing desk entirely.
• No added reverb – i.e. the natural reverb of the building is used. Increasingly, classical recordings take place in buildings and rooms that have good natural reverberation qualities that enhance the music.

This minimalist approach ensures the highest sound quality with the greatest authenticity; something that the CD-buying public increasingly demands.

The music is often recorded in short repeated bursts, maybe 8 bars at a time, with minor differences in each take. The whole piece is then assembled in a computer at a later date.

Large Ensembles:
The same minimalist approach is often used wherever possible. However:

• Each section of the ensemble will probably have at least one microphone.
• A mixing desk will probably be needed because of the number of microphones used.
• Longer sections will be recorded because it is too expensive to record a large ensemble in short bursts.
• The recording medium is still likely to be DAT or directly into a computer because it is usually impossible to separate out individual instrumental sections for mixing purposes.

Popular Music Recordings

Popular music recordings differ substantially from the classical kind in that:

• They will use multitrack recording devices such as ADAT tape, hard disks or computer recording software.
• Each individual track will generally be of one instrument with no over-spill from any others.
• Each (non-electric) instrument will have at least one microphone, often more, except for most vocalists. For example, a drum kit may require 8 or more microphones.
• A mixing desk will almost certainly be required.
• A lot of use is made of outboard equipment and DSPs such as reverb, exciters etc.
• Sometimes a single verse or chorus is recorded at a time, sometimes the whole song is recorded in one go.
• Sometimes a song is built up one instrument at a time.
• A lot more thought is given to panning for stereo as well as equalisation.

In common with classical music, popular music is often "assembled" using computers. This is especially true of dance music where it is not uncommon for whole songs to be written, assembled, recorded and produced using a computer.

A well equipped studio will be suitable for any kind of recording