Kelly McGuire posted a song at VS-Planet as a sort of recording experiment he'd done using only 57's. I thought an article would give it more attention and remind us all what can be done with simple tools in the right hands. Check it out.

http://www.studioreviews.com/57song.htm

Shite, that's nice! 'Preciate the link, Dan. Gives me hope.

Yep, this song is great example that you don´t need the most expensive mics, pres, converters and all that stuff to do great recordings. Mostly it´s the sense of style and performance that counts. Great!

-kaapo-

I think I remember hearing that Hall and Oates did an "all 57" song as well.

quote:

Yep, this song is great example that you don´t need the most expensive mics, pres, converters and all that stuff to do great recordings.

Although I agree very much on the style and performance thing (if that's what you mean by a good composition and being able to play), I would say that this song is a great example that you do need really good mics, preamps and the whole bit to make a great recording.

Hey, thanks Dan and guys for the coverage and compliments. Much appreciated. I learned some things while doing this, and was reminded of some things as well.

Although I'm not opposed to good mics and pres (lord knows I have my share) I disagree with zygon and think this is a very good sounding tune! SM57s rule. I have a suspicion that if this song was redone with high dollar gear, I'd still like the 57 mix better. But then I'm a sucker for dark vintage-sounding work!

I've probably done worse sounding work with great pres and expensive mics.

Thank Kelly for taking the time to do this (and thanks to Dan for posting it). I'm with Dirty, I think this sounds pretty darn good.

This is an inpiration. Sometimes I get a complex because supposedly I'm doing everything wrong. I own modest microphones and mid-range pres. I record to digital instead of tape. I have average converters. I mix entirely in the box and use plugins for all my effects. I use a pair of consumer stereo speakers as my monitors. I could go on but the point is that my recordings should totally suck and I don't think they do (I know better than to ask Zygon's opinion ). At least my clients don't seem to think so - all my work now is either returns or referrals.

Anyway, thanks again, Kel. That was a cool little project.

it wasn't meant to be spread all over the place originally, just for Vsplanet.com. It's not supposed to be the end-all song. I do wish it was better than 128kbs and mastered too.
thanks though!

a few good mic's and that would really do it.

Good job Kel!

I already sold my U87ai. Maybe I should sell some other expensive equipment I have .

Rade

That's really fab. I'm beginning to think more and more that it's not what you're recording with, but what you're recording that makes a great cut.

hi all

I'm soo interested in these kind of experiments...

any chance of more experimenting with different mics or pres ?

quote:

Although I agree very much on the style and performance thing (if that's what you mean by a good composition and being able to play), I would say that this song is a great example that you do need really good mics, preamps and the whole bit to make a great recording.

I disagree. This mix sounds great....I guess he showed us.

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have a suspicion that if this song was redone with high dollar gear, I'd still like the 57 mix better. But then I'm a sucker for dark vintage-sounding work!

That would be an interesting comparison.

Great job Kel. Excellent lesson on " Get over it and work with what you got". I'm still not editing my wish list though.


Rocky

I just think that it is important to make sure that if you use inexpensive gear, that it is the best inexpensive gear for the job at hand,

Definitely has that '57 honk in spots, but I think it works well with the style and song overall. Lately, I find myself preferring the slightly darker sonics. Most everything "popular" these days just seems un-naturally bright to me. I think the "edgey" thing has been way over done.

Really nice job Kel.

this is a great tune, irregardless of the recording...
but....

GREAT RECORDING.....
glad i replaced my 57 when it died....
it's a great mic. you know how to use it.

of course, better mics, real preamps, all that, would improve the overall sound...but the performance is there, and the capture is good enough to say 'it's done'.

straight up drumming....
great job there!

nice smooth vocal delivery...

love the trem guitar part....

bass sounds good...

the whole kit sounds good, but could be improved by another overhead (for more cymbal control) and maybe, if you had miced the kick head, it would have more emphasis where it needs it...
as it is, with my subwoof, i can feel it fine.....
maybe some selective eq'ing could bring out more impact (if you were to remix it)....
and the overhead could be brought up as well (though the snare will really be kicking then!)

very solid song!

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I disagree. This mix sounds great....I guess he showed us.

Sorry, but that's not what I meant. Mix is great. This just shows that really knowing how to play and mix is a lot more important than the gear you use (and I mean that).

I still think, however, that better gear would've made this a better recording - soundwise - and that's what I meant by my first comment. I miss the "sparkle" and "larger than life" dimension that good (great) gear can add to a recording.

I began listening with the intention of focusing on the sound but the song took over. I really really dug the song. I figure Kel probably worked out all the parts before laying down all the one takers. IMO this tune is a major label or romantic movie theme hit. Geez sign this guy up!

Nice!

I'd like to know how much his room sound contributed to this.

T