In the past month Fastback Studios has done three live studio sessions. These sessions often capture the best of a controlled studio setting and live full-lentgh take performance(s). The key to a successful live recording session is isolation of instrumentation with band members having regular eye contact to keep the feel of the song rolling along.

Live records does not mean recording ten songs in one day, packing up and going home. Live songs is a more percise artform on the artist part. Remember your music will be showcased before millions on Itunes. Live sessions are regaining popularity and the 7 steps you need to take to be ahead of the curve for a live studio recording is: 

1). Practice

2). Guitar & bass intonenation set-up before recording

3). Practice

4). New drum heads before recording

5). Practice

6). Bring extra drumsticks, strings and picks before recording

7). Practice

Having a Hammond sound adds a great foundation to most recordings.  This latest recording was on a blues session with the NW own Two Scoops.  So distortion does not happen during the recording we dialed down the master volume on the Leslie to six.  Once you go above seven it pushes speaker a little to much.  We put the Leslie on the hardwood floors and recorded with three tube mics and one ribbon. two mics on the bottom and two on the top with the ribbon back a little further so the wind would not push the mic to hard.  To get that large hall sound from the hardwoods we also put two room mics up - up and away for a very smooth classic Hammond sound.   

The BJ Shea Morning Experience Presents American Idiot

Think that your band has what it takes to be named The BJ Shea Morning Experience American Idiot? Send 3 songs in MP3 format and a bio to americanidiot@kisw.com or on a CD by July 18th.

We’ll choose the top 10 bands who’ll get the chance to be interviewed and play their songs on The BJ Shea Morning Experience. After we narrow it down one more time the Top 5 bands will be posted at kisw.com and KISW listeners will decide which 3 bands will perform at the American Idiot final event in September.

One Grand Prize will receive a track listing on KISW’s Harder, Faster, Louder vol. 4, an opening spot at KISW’s 2006 Holiday Hangover Ball, studio time and new gear.

For more info visit www.kisw.com and do yourself a favor and continue to listen to BJ Shea, life will be a whole lot better!