More than blank tapes and leather jackets

Just when you thought your band had scraped together enough cash for the rent and a little bread, you realize that you need to make a CD. The leather jacket and tattoos just aren\'t getting across the idea that you're a rock star and the blank tapes and cheap 4-track recordings just don\'t cut it anymore. Your mom and dad are asking for their money back because that guitar they bought you so long ago hasn't exactly paid dividends.\nWhile talking about music with a few friends, I realized that a lot of rock fans don't understand all that goes on behind the scenes during the recording process. There's a little more to it than just going into the studio, hitting the record button and jamming. It's expensive and time consuming, but what's cooler than hearing yourself sound, well, almost as good as your favorite band? I know when I look back on college 20 years from now (if I live that long) I'll remember making a CD better than I'll remember graduation day.\nThe studio is sort of a double-edged sword. You get a chance to go back until you "get it right" as long as you can literally afford the time to do it again until it's perfect. But at the same time, every little mistake is crystal clear and if you just aren\'t "feeling it" that day, you can waste a lot of time and money. This is part of why it\'s so difficult to capture a band's intensity. There's no crowd to interact with. Aside from that, the studio atmosphere itself can be pretty distracting and intimidating. \nIf things go smoothly while you're recording, you might only have to hear the same song five times in a row. It\'s probably funny to hear that, but let me explain some of the process for the curious. Typically, after the mics have been set up, you play through the song once as a band to get an idea of how it will sound and what levels need to be fixed. If your rhythm section is having a bad day, especially the drummer, then you have to keep at it until it's perfect, wasting a couple more bucks for those extra five minutes. \nAfter your rhythm tracks are laid down, then the other lead instruments overdub their parts. If you're the one soloing, this can be really cool. You get a few minutes to pretend you are your favorite studio ace. (Personally, I think it's a good idea to listen to some of your favorite players the night before it\'s your turn to record. I know my friends got burnt out on Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Clash and the Boss during our week of recording.) If you happen to be one of the bystanders, then that is your chance to rest. But you still have a job, watching and criticizing every minute detail of your friends' playing. \nThen the singer overdubs the vocals. Of course, you have to keep quiet while recording the singer. I found it particularly hard not to think of the "We are the World" video during this part. After the technical stuff like mixing and mastering (if you have the money) you\'ll have your own CD. Just hope that the band stays together long enough to enjoy it.