Soliciting advice on how to prepare for recording of a cast album

[starzilla]

Posted: 8/12/07 at 10:04pm

I have several friends in two shows that are getting ready to go into the studio to record their first cast recordings. As this is a new experience for all of them, any help from the seasoned performers on this board as to what to expect and how to prepare would be greatly appreciated.

thank you in advance for your help.

starZ

[magic8ball]

Posted: 8/12/07 at 10:24pm

Here is a list of things that they should know:

1. Keep hydrated, and bring a large bottle of water to the studio. Keep it room temperature.
2. Don't overdo your warm-ups because you will be singing again and again and AGAIN as the engineer experiments and you are directed to do different things. Don't worry about warm-ups as you would for a performance or audition... If the monitor is working properly, you will not have to push your voice.
3. Wear comfortable clothes because, as contained of a process as this might seem, it's actually VERY draining. And keep the apparel light... you don't want to be sweating in that little space.
4. Know your music well. It's very different to record in a studio... a.k.a. easy to be thrown off. The more comfortable with the material you are, the less of a chance there is a screw up. Also, it will make the engineer's life easier to minimize takes.
5. Communicate with the engineer. Tell him if you're uncomfortable with the height of the mic. Tell him if the monitor is too loud. Tell him if you want to punch something in (isolate a vocal moment that you dislike and re-record); a recording is permanent, so you should sound your best.

I will add on to this list if I think of other things. Basically, if I had to sum all of this up in one piece of advice, it would be: Be comfortable. This is doubly important since you are dealing with a first-time studio experience.

Updated On: 8/12/07 at 10:24 PM

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 8/12/07 at 11:55pm

Just out of curiosity, what shows are they in? (Assuming you don't mind my asking)

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 8/13/07 at 8:30am

Often segments of music are cut or reordered for cast recordings. Do everything you can to learn the new routines. If possible get a rehearsal piano recording of any changed arrangements to practice along with.

Then be very careful not to accidentally perform these cuts at the show that night.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/13/07 at 11:10am

When they sing, they should sing into the mic rather than trying to fill the room with sound.

[starzilla]

Posted: 8/13/07 at 5:04pm

Thank yo to everyone who posted I will pass along your advice. I am sure they will find it very helpful as this is a first for them.

Thank you again.