Try Again

Studio Dialog

The scene: A recording studio. The musician has been working on the same song for over two hours. The part is an 8-bar phrase or roughly 15 seconds of recording.

Engineer [calmly]: “Do you think we should continue?”
Musician [testy]: “Why not?”

Engineer [diplomatically]: “Well, the reason I ask is that we have made about 70 passes on this 8-bar phrase over the past two hours. Maybe we should take a break and try it again another time.”
Musician [quite angry]: “Are you telling me that I don’t know how to play this part?”

Engineer [wisely]: “No. I’m telling you that I don’t know how to record this part.”

2 replies
  1. Steve
    Steve says:

    I just laughed out loud. I don’t know what to write here but somehow I feel compelled to comment. In other words, “Well played, Sir.”

    Reply
  2. Rob
    Rob says:

    I agree with Steve whole-heartedly! Still laughing – the hand gesture alone is worth 1000 words.

    I spent a good deal of time recording my best friend’s son’s indie band over the past two weeks. We have been recording live from the floor. One take of their signature song was outstanding, although the bass player felt he messed up and asked to redub his part individually. 27 takes later….we went with the original one.

    My, you have patience, Mr. Cleaver!

    Reply

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