1. •Abbey Road To Ziggy Stardust
   

2. •The Audio Mixing Bootcamp
   

3. •The Ultimate Guitar Tone Handbook
   

4. •The Studio Builder’s Handbook
   

5. •The Touring Musician’s Handbook
   

6. •Mixing And Mastering With T-RackS
   

7. •How To Make Your Band Sound Great
   

8. •The Drum Recording Handbook
   

9. •The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook
   

10. •The Recording Engineer’s Handbook
    

11. •The Audio Mastering Handbook
    

12. •The Studio Musician’s Handbook
    

13. •Music 3.0
    

14. •The Music Producer’s Handbook
    

15. •The Musician’s Video Handbook
    

16. 
    

17. •Book Excerpts
    

18. •Helpful Videos
    

19. 
    

1. •Bobby’s Production Blog
   

2. •Music 3.0 Industry Blog
   

3. •Bobby’s Bio
   

4. •Speaking
   

5. •Production
   

6. •Coaching
   

7. •eMail Bobby
   

1. •Surround Associates

Buy It Now

See the Table of Contents

Chapter 2 Excerpt

“Why The Studio Is Different

From Playing Live”

All musical performances are really about “the moment”. Live music happens in the moment for that moment. Recorded music captures that moment so that it can last forever. The former is like a live TV news feed of an event while the latter is like a carved statue of the same subject material. 

You’ve probably had a lot of experience playing live, but playing in the studio is a distinctively different experience. The thought process is different, the mindset is different, the approach is different, and the chain of command is different.

Sixteen Ways Playing in the Studio Differs From Playing Live

In an effort to contrast these two different experiences, let’s move from the most simple differences to those that are, shall we say, a bit more subtle.

1. 1.Repertoire - Most live gigs rarely change repertoire without rehearsal. Only on the fringes of the Jazz community do musicians show up at a live gig prepared to “wing it” every show. A session musician has to be ready to change material on the fly.  If it’s a one-tune record date for a singer/songwriter the song may take on a completely new character within moments. The session may start with the artist playing the tune by his or herself. As the rhythm section falls in, not only are they are expected to learn it “on the fly” but to come up with the appropriate parts that will help make the song not only as memorable as possible but as accessible and pleasing to not only the artist and producer but to listeners who may make the song part of their lifetime’s musical soundtrack. No pressure!!!
   

2. 
   

2. 2.Scrutiny - On stage whatever you play is gone as soon as you play it.  In the studio, what you play is under a microscope and will likely be analyzed, dissected and reorganized all in the name of making the performance stronger.
   

3. 
   

3. 3.Equipment - The gear you use on a gig won’t always translate to the studio.  You choose the gear for a gig based upon versatility, durability and general ruggedness.  The only thing that counts in the studio is the sound.  While one size might fit all on a gig, it usually makes for a boring recording, especially if you’re recording multiple tracks or more than one song.  The studio requires a wide range of sonic possibilities, so you’ll need to bring different guitars, amps and pedals to get there (more on gear in chapter 6).
   

4. 
   

4. 4.Leadership - On a gig you have a bandleader that calls the songs, counts them off, possibly may direct the solos, and ends the songs.  In the studio you’re answering to a hierarchy consisting of the producer, artist, and engineer (in cases of sonics).  The producer is the ultimate decision maker, with ultimate authority over everything you play.
   

5. 
   

5. 5.Nuance - The little things count in the studio.  Everything you play can be critical so nuances are just as important as the body of what you’re playing.  When you play live the nuances are usually gone in the wind, overcome by the the stage volume, acoustics and attention of the players and audience. In the studio, everything you play is scrutinized and that’s too much pressure for some players.  On stage, your band mates may be listening hard (if they’re good they will be) but the audience will be grooving to the music as a whole.  No pressure, just play.  In the studio, you’ve got to be great every time, every take.
   

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6. 6.The Live ‘Feel” versus the Studio ‘”Feel” - Rest assured that watching drum god Steve Gadd play live with Eric Clapton is a whole different experience than his studio work with Ol’ Slowhand. There is definitely a different feel required when playing in the studio. Players well versed in both idioms tend to exhibit more finesse and restraint in the studio and cut loose in a different way. Remember, music in a studio terminates at some kind of recording or broadcast device. Live music just disperses in the ether. The studio requires the musician to play to a whole different set of variables created by the signal chain after the instrument and the needs of the session.
   

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7. 7.Etiquette - You can get away with being a jerk on a live gig since the other players usually will put up with you (up to a point) as long as you perform well or the audience loves you.  Not so in the studio.  In order to take the music to the level it needs to be at, a constant give and take is required with everyone in the studio.  If you make someone feel even slightly uncomfortable for any reason, chances are you probably won’t be asked back.  There are too many great players with accommodating personalities waiting in line for the chance.
   

8. 
   

8. 8.It’s hard work.  That’s not to say that playing or singing on a 4 or 5 hour gig isn’t difficult, but you play a lot of different songs every set and get the glory of audience feedback.  In the studio, the only feedback you get is from the producer, artist and maybe the engineer, and 99% of the time they’re analyzing how you can play a part better rather than singing your praises.  And the level of concentration is definitely up a few notches.  On a gig you can breeze through the music, almost losing yourself in your playing.  In the studio, every note counts and requires your utmost attention.  It’s not unusual to spends hours on the same song (or even the same phrase), playing or singing it over and over until it fits perfectly.  On the other hand, some sessions require that you play it perfectly the first time (or in a few takes), which brings a pressure all its own.
   

Copyright © 2012 Bobby Owsinski Media

Author - Producer

Music and Technology Advisor