Tips on getting the "old" sound

Tore Blestrud · Post by **Tore Blestrud** » 12 Nov 2010 11:08 am

Our band are going to record an album of classic old country songs.

Anyone got some tips on on how to get the good old Nashville sound. We will use good mics, make sure we have plenty of headroom, tictac bass and in your face vocals.

Mostly concerned about the drum sound.

Steel will be PushPull in Vibrosonic.

All tips are welcomed!

http://www.myspace.com/bhcwo

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 13 Nov 2010 10:07 am

TUBE TUBE TUBE.....also if you're using DAW read more about dither....

David Winfrey · Post by **David Winfrey** » 13 Nov 2010 2:52 pm

If possible, go analog (no digital) all the way. Record to tape thru an analog console, use tube amps, etc.
Regards,
David

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 14 Nov 2010 3:06 am

Don't over compress or not even use any compression. Use tube preamps, etc. Don't mix the drums and bass out front. I did a song demo CD for a Nashville songwriter and when he listened to the final product he gave me a great complement as he told me it sounded like a "Bradly's Barn" session.

Steve Waltz · Post by **Steve Waltz** » 17 Nov 2010 10:13 am

This link is to the owen bradley quanset hut facebook page where they have a ton of studio pictures. Pay close attention to the room, the dividers, where mics are, who is being recorded at the same time, what amps there are.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... 0133323733

Actually this page has more studio shots.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... 0133323733

I would think a vibrosonic would be too big to get any real tube vibe for recording. I have one and an old 9 watt airline with a 8 inch speaker and the airline is a better recording amp.

It looks like drums are done with one mic. It also looks like the singer is playing accoustic and singing at the same time but they only have one mic.
I also don't see pop screens and the vocal mics are higher above the singer than what I think many people do. I've read that you might get more of the whole body tone when you back away. Same goes for guitar cabinets....I hear. You may need dividers to help with separationwhen not close micing. i have a feeling that the old sound is less close micing, more room sound, having many people playing at one time, using less effects, single mics per instrument or cab and just mixing it to sound right.

That's a guess but I'll be trying similar stuff and we did a bunch of that of it on recordings on this page.

www.westcoastramblers.com

Steve

Marc Jenkins · Post by **Marc Jenkins** » 17 Nov 2010 11:53 am

Whole band live in one room, minimalist micing with vintage or vintage-styled mics, tube gear if possible, recorded to tape, real plate reverb.

Teddy Ray Bullard II · Post by **Teddy Ray Bullard II** » 17 Nov 2010 10:09 pm

Marc Jenkins wrote:Whole band live in one room, minimalist micing with vintage or vintage-styled mics, tube gear if possible, recorded to tape, real plate reverb.

BINGO!

Also..

www.placidaudio.com

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 18 Nov 2010 1:21 am

good engineer and mastering...

are you using old wood drums or new not wood drums ?

what kind of room(s) will you be tracking in ?

t

Tore Blestrud · Post by **Tore Blestrud** » 18 Nov 2010 5:47 am

Thank's for the replies - a lot of good info there.
Fantastic pictures from Bradleys Barn.

Orville Johnson · Post by **Orville Johnson** » 21 Nov 2010 10:48 am

Another element is playing without headphones which forces you to play at lower volume levels so you can hear the other players. It creates a whole different dynamic.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 22 Nov 2010 6:43 am

Hire an engineer who knows how to do this. I don't think you specified whether you were recording this in a studio with an engineer or if you were recording it yourself. If you are recording it yourself, you should definitely hire someone, at least as a consultant. Also, this will free you up to focus on the music and let the engineer worry about the technical end.

Teddy Ray Bullard II · Post by **Teddy Ray Bullard II** » 22 Nov 2010 11:52 pm

recording at ToeRag or Soilofthesouth would help.

this is a CURRENT picture. he records the old way.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct03/i ... rag6.l.jpg

http://www.toeragstudios.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pkCdHQy0Q

Tore Blestrud · Post by **Tore Blestrud** » 1 Jun 2011 12:34 pm

The album is finally done. Here is a little samle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB9hxDjn ... ture=share

The Miktek CV-4 tube mic was a great investment.

Marc Jenkins · Post by **Marc Jenkins** » 1 Jun 2011 12:39 pm

Sounds great Tore!

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 1 Jun 2011 2:43 pm

Wow that's some fine country music! Very well done.

Bob