Chapter 1 - The Recording Studio: A Brief History and Overview

Question 1

How was music recorded in the 1920s?

Answer 1

Musicians were recorded through a microphone and directly to either wax cylinders or shellac discs. The device used to record audio was a gramophone.

Question 2

What does “direct to disc” mean?

Answer 2

It means the musicians record directly onto a printed track.

Question 3

What was the mixing process in the 1920s?

Answer 3

The mixing process consisted of lining up the musicians you want to record at varying distances from the main recording system.

Question 4

What inventions and improvements were made in the audio equipment world in between 1920 and 1950?

Answer 4

1. Tube amplifiers
2. Condenser microphones
3. Loudspeakers (via moving coils)
4. Multiple microphone setups
5. Recording consoles (with preamps and volume controls for each mic)
6. Control rooms
7. Magnetic tape
8. Ribbon microphones

Question 5

How was music recorded in the 1920s to 1950?

Answer 5

A microphone would be used to record the musicians. The microphones were able to convert the acoustical vibrations of the source into an electrical current. The current would then go into an amplifier, and would then go out to a cutting stylus.

Question 6

What were EQs originally meant to do to an audio signal when first developed?

Answer 6

EQs were originally meant to flatten out the frequency peaks and roll-offs inherent in the sonic characteristics of specific microphones.

Question 7

What effects were integrated into the recording console in the 1950s?

Answer 7

1. Input level
2. Overall level
3. Tube amplifiers for each channel
4. EQ

Question 8

How was EQ originally supposed to function?

Answer 8

EQ was meant to target certain frequencies inherent in the frequency content of specific microphones.

Question 9

What step of the recording process was developed in the 1950s?

Answer 9

Editing was developed in the 1950s. Engineers were able to splice together multiple takes on tape.

Question 10

How was reverb utilized in the 1950s?

Answer 10

Reverb was recorded into the printed track by playing the track in an echo chamber and recording the room.

Question 11

Which microphones were developed in the 1950s?

Answer 11

1. Neumann U47
2. AKG C12
3. Telefunken ELA M 250/251

Question 12

What was one of the main developments in recording between the late 1950s to 1980?

Answer 12

Stereo recording. Because of this, stereo channels were also incorporated into recording consoles.

Question 13

Why were pan pots developed?

Answer 13

Pan pots were developed to direct individual spot mics to coincide with their physical placement within the stereo field.

Question 14

Who conceived of the concept of multitrack recording?

Answer 14

Les Paul

Question 15

With the development of the 8-track analog tape recorder, what part of the production process was changed?

Answer 15

Engineers were able to reproduce any position using just two speakers.

Question 16

What happens during the monitor mix path for the return of tape track outputs?

Answer 16

Every level control, mute, and solo of the record path is duplicated in a path independent of the recording. This creates a preview mix for the producer and engineer.

Question 17

What will be at the center of all sessions Post-1960s?

Answer 17

The console is the heart of all sessions.

Question 18

What happens to signals when they pass through a console?

Answer 18

The signals are:
1. Properly balanced
2. Processed w/ effects
3. Routed to their appropriate destinations

Question 19

How are instruments isolated in a recording studio?

Answer 19

Instruments can be acoustically isolated from one another using either isolation booths or baffles/gobos.

Question 20

How are audio signals processed in a recording studio?

Answer 20

1. Microphones are positioned on individual instruments
2. The microphones are then patched into a mic input patch panel.
3. The patch panel is then connected to the console via wires.
4. Each mic signal is boosted to a usable line level by a mic preamplifier.
5. The audio signal can then be processed using EQs to adjust timbre.
6. The audio signal is then processed by a compressor for dynamic level control and/or “punch”
7. Faders and pan pots are then used for level balancing and stereo placement.

Question 21

What has replaced tape machines from the 1990s?

Answer 21

DAWs have replaced tape machines from the 1990s.

Question 22

How do individual audio signals make their way through a console in terms of groupings?

Answer 22

1. Input signals are grouped and routed to the multitrack via the track busses.
2. The outputs of the multitrack are connected back to the line-level inputs of the console.
3. The main stereo output of the console is connected to the control room speakers.
4. The main stereo output is also connected back to a stereo track into a DAW or 2-track tape machine.

Question 23

What is a bus?

Answer 23

A bus is a signal path where audio signals can be combined and routed to a particular destination.

Question 24

What are the four (five) general categories of recording studio sessions?

Answer 24

1. Basic tracking
2. Overdubs
3. Mixdown
4. Live-to-2
   (5. Mastering)

Question 25

What is the signal flow for a live-to-2 session?

Answer 25

All musicians are in the studio. Microphones are routed directly to the main stereo bus, and is directly recorded to the stereo master track live.

Question 26

What technical aspects of the mixing process have to happen up front during the live-to-2 process?

Answer 26

1. Level adjustments
2. Effects
3. Etc.

Question 27

What are the pros of the live-to-2 recording session?

Answer 27

1. Time-efficient
2. Captures the natural and spontaneous interaction between the musicians

Question 28

What is the con of using the live-to-2 recording method?

Answer 28

Decisions made about sounds, effects, and levels cannot be easily changed.

Question 29

What happens during the basic session?

Answer 29

The basic rhythm section is recorded.

Question 30

How are audio signals routed through the basic session?

Answer 30

1. Microphones are routed to individual tracks. You can subgroup them via busses and back to individual tracks or pairs of tracks.
2. Some console and outboard processing (such as EQ/compression) can be either recorded, or can be monitored in the speakers.

Question 31

What is the session that takes place after the basic session?

Answer 31

The overdub session

Question 32

How is audio recorded during the overdub sessions?

Answer 32

1. Tracks are recorded one by one through the arrangement of the song.
2. The audio that is being recorded is routed to the multitrack recorder.
3. The tracks from the basic session is arranged in a rough mix and sent to the monitors and the headphones of the musicians.

Question 33

What session happens after the overdub session?

Answer 33

The mixdown session

Question 34

What is the signal flow of a mixdown session?

Answer 34

1. The multitracks of previously recorded material is sent into the console.
2. Effects are added and recorded.
3. The audio is then sent out into a stereo signal out, which goes into the DAW.

Question 35

What session happens after the mixdown session?

Answer 35

The mastering session