Recording: completing 'Seven Shades'

Because there are so many parts to a song, that we create in shortish bursts, it’s so satisfying to finish up a song. Now, we’re completing Seven Shades… and it’s a banger. Absolutely one for the mosh pits!

But, compared to previous songs, completing Seven Shades had a slightly different process.

Rig run down

To begin with, here’s the exhaustive list of gear used…

Phew!

Completing Seven Shades

Previously, to complete a song, I followed the steps outlined on this page.

As has been said, Seven Shades has a slightly different process. To this end, the steps themselves were the same, just in a different order.

So, rather than leaving the editing and micro-mixing until the very end, I did those steps as soon as possible after the recording session.

Obviously, this approach meant creating the “complete” project in BandLab early on, as in, right when I finished micro-mixing the drums.

After that, I just exported each instrument section after finished editing and micro-mixing. Then I imported them into the completed project.

light audio recording completing seven shades

Now, I don’t know that this was any major benefit. Quite likely, it’ll depend on how you like to work.

But, for me, doing the editing and micro-mixing when I had twenty minutes to spare in between recording sessions, was much easier on me than finding a longer stretch of time to do all the editing and micro-mixing for each instrument section in one go.

Then, I just picked up at step four: mixed, added compression, and mastered.

Here’s a cheat sheet for light audio recording in BandLab that I use as standard.

Bish bash bosh! Bob’s your uncle and Fanny’s your aunt!

Completing Seven Shades: conclusion

Pros	Cons
The end result: without a doubt the closest I’ve ever got to capturing the sound in my head – despite this one being there for 11 years!	Vocals: unfortunately, you can hear discrepancy between lead vocal tracks – however, I’m classing them as being punk and “real”
Drums: essentially my favorite drum sound I’ve achieved to date	Drums: however, I couldn’t eliminate my patchy drumming completely
The fuzz bass, the choir backing vocals, and the guitar solo: certainly, the most fun I’ve had with with those parts to date

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Meanwhile, over on Pinterest, you can find dedicated boards with pictures and links for the gear used in each session – essentially a buyer’s guide.

Also, on LinkedIn, you can see the business-brain of Light Audio Recording at work.

And finally, feel free to shoot me a coffee!