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 | Digital Recording- interview with Eric Arm |
Expert Answers About Digital Recording
What do Capital Records, Warner-Chapel Music and Chrysalis Music have in common? They've all employed Eric Arm, owner and engineer of Art Of Noise Studio in Hollywood, California.
Eric opened his digital studio in 1993 and quickly became a favorite among the Los Angeles community of musicians. Both indie and major record labels have hired him to record demos, and to provide pre-production and over-dubbing services on their projects.
Recently, Eric took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions about digital recording exclusively for A2Gmusic.com
A2G: For musicians that have a choice between recording on analog or digital equipment, what are the benefits of recording digitally? Are there any disadvantages or problems that are common while dealing with digital recording?
ARM: If the choice is there and the budget allows for it, I feel the ideal way to record is using both analog and digital. There are qualities of analog tape, combined with a good tracking room, and a nice mic selection that will enhance the sound of the rhythm tracks. However, for overdubs, edits, vocal fly ins, and mixing, I feel that digital has many benefits. Recording techniques that are done everyday in all ranges of digital studios are simply impossible to do in a pure analog studio. These techniques can make the recording process easier for the musician, and usually beneficial for the finished product. The main problem I encounter with digital recording is that some artists feel that the engineer has a "magic button" that will make them sound like their favorite band. Although there are many tricks and editing techniques, there is never any substitute for good musicians, good instruments, and most importantly a great song!
A2G: Is the digital recording process less expensive than analog, why?
ARM: The digital recording process is usually less expensive than analog. One simple reason is tape cost. To record analog, 24 track 2" tape for about 15 minutes costs around $150. Digital, on the ADAT system for example, 24 tracks of tape for about 40 minutes costs around $30. Another reason digital can save money is with the ability to fly in vocals, edit guitar solo's, make a composite vocal track, etc... the client saves not only studio time, but the tedious process of doing the same part over and over every time it occurs in the song.
A2G: Many musicians are attracted by the warmth of the sound analog recording produces, can this be achieved using the latest software and equipment in a digital studio?
ARM: I do feel that the warmth of analog can be produced in a digital studio. The key here is being happy with the sound of the instrument before you record it. Digital recording will not change the sound as analog does. I personally feel that the recording medium is the least important element of the recording process. Therefore I don't think software is the answer, I think that you must start with a great instrument sound, a great microphone properly placed, through a great mic-preamp, with the desired outboard EQ and compression. This is where not the latest technology, but the earliest technology will improve the sound. Often, the reason analog sounds warmer is because many digital studios do not have access to these great vintage microphones and outboard gear that studios with analog tape machines have.
A2G: Digital recording has been widely accepted by electronic and hip-hop artists; what would make digital recording more alluring to the pop and rock crowd?
ARM: Rock is the most challenging format of music to record. This is because the frequencies of electric guitars, loud vocals, open and ringing cymbals, and "driving" bass guitar are all overlapping. This makes it very difficult to get a clean, clear recording, while maintaining the power and dynamic of rock music. Once again, I feel that the problem with many digital studios for rock is the live room, lack of microphones and outboard gear, as well as the engineer, rather than the recording machine. Many of today's generation of engineers whom learned how to record in digital studios, never had the exposure to larger analog studios, where the classic "This is what a rock record should sound like" albums were recorded. These engineers may have no problem recording electronic, rap, and even clean pop and jazz, but when the volume is turned to "11" and the distortion box is kicked on, the process is very different. Therefore, I feel as if digital, with all of its convenience and editing options, would be more alluring to the rock crowd if they were to record in a studio with all of the other elements of an analog room, with an engineer whom is capable of recording rock music.
If you want to learn more about Eric Arm's studio check out the Art Of Noise web site.
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