SonicScoop takes a tour of Brooklyn recording studios, and talks to Daptone Records’ owner/engineer/producer/bass player Gabriel Roth, who was in the middle of recording the new Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings record:
“We try to use as few mics as possible, and we’ve been using a lot of ribbon mics on this record. We figure out who’s coming in too loud and have the players and backup singers balance themselves, get the tones all right, in rehearsal, and then we record,” he said. “When you start using a lot of tracks, you end up having to do all that stuff in the mix. If you do it when you’re recording, it’s not really harder, it’s just sooner. People think it’s scary because you don’t have choices later, i.e. bring up the trumpets, but it’s like you’re going to have to hear that at some point. Whether it’s two months from now when you’re mixing, or now. So you may as well deal with it now.”
Awesome. That’s how to make a real soul music. No shit.
MP3s:
• Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – “100 Days, 100 Nights”