Studio Etiquette 101: The Talkback Mic November 20, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital home recording studios, Project Studio , trackbackOther than astronaut training facilities, I can think of very few working situations where the participants are separated by a soundproof wall and communicate through the pressing of a little button. The recording industry is used to odd areas like the tracking room, where artists sometimes have to yell near the drum overheads to be heard by the engineer…
While the button is physically small, the person who gets to press this tiny non-latching button wields great power. This person has the power to single-handedly shape the mood of the project. There are definitely some things you should and should NOT do while in this lofty position…
For starters, before we get into the buton itself, I’d like to make a recommendation. Nothing can ruin a session faster than the people in the control not being able to talk to the talent (in the other room). Yelling through closed doors gets really old fast, as does running from room to room every 30 seconds. Make sure your talkback mic is properly routed to the headphone mix. Also, I would highly suggest putting up an omnidirectional microphone in the room and pulling it up in the session for “hear back” from the artist. This can also kill two birds with one stone, as it becomes a room mic for anything in the mix (hint: makes a great drum mic if you slam it with a compressor). This all being said, I would also emphasize the importance of doing such crazy things as getting out of the control room and speaking to the artist(s) in person as much as possible.
Here are some things you DO want to do when using the talkback mic (this is of course from the engineer/producer’s perspective):
- Think about what you are going to say before you press the button. Although this seems blatantly obvious, we’ve all forgotten this.
- Figure out who is going to be talking to the artist, and let that person talk (or, if multiple people need to speak to the talent, one at a time!). 6 people saying 8 different things all at once (3 of whom just wanted coffee) to the artist will get confusing and frustrating very quickly. The artist is recording and likely very mentally involved in the process. He/she is looking for direction and suggestions. The clearer this can be from the control room, the better.
- Be positive whenever possible. There are more approachable ways of saying “That was terrible, we need another take”. Its scary enough (especially for new recording artists) to be performing for a room of producer/engineers.
Although some “DO NOTS” were implied in the “DO’S”, here are some more specific DO NOTS
- Don’t use it as a tool to talk over the artist. If the artist has some input (whether correct or not), cutting them off and talking over them is not productive.
- (A more obvious one, but) Don’t lift the button up until you finish your sentences. Again, this may seem really obvious, but all studio musicians have heard the “Hey Mike, sounds great, just don’t forget the tempo change in -click-…Ready?”
- Don’t think that between every take/punch you (as the engineer/producer) need to give lengthy suggestions. Feel out the pace at which artist would like to work. Some artists like to hear lots of direction, sometimes a simple “Let’s hit it again, concentrating on the bridge” is more than plenty.
If anyone has any funny anecdotes about talkback mics… please post them. (Or for that matter, if anyone has any more suggestions!)
C
The Studio Files
Comments»
Of course, always be careful the talkback isn’t on, especially when the rest of the band is in the control room. The last thing the drummer needs to hear is his band talking about how awful he is while he’s trying to nail down a solid foundation.
I think keeping a sense of humor is pretty important. A lot of musician’s tighten up the instant they know their performance is being recorded. Lightening up the mood, I think, really helps to relax whoever is being tracked.
Exactly^^
The talkback mic can change the mood of the entire project (whether good or bad).
Humor is great tool as well.
Alex, that is completely true about making sure the talkback isn’t on. I always use humor to enlighten the artist, plus it helps me relax on the job as well. It also helps build a bond believe it or not, because once two artists are being humorous and connecting, the job gets easier, relaxed, and helps make the artist feel super comfortable in just seconds/minutes. Also, nice suggestions are good especially if they really like your idea(s). They could really start to trust you and trust is a huge importance in the studio.