THIS IS THE PROPHECY.....RECORDING.......PART 3 OF A 5 PART CLASS

After working on over 50 records, countless singles, and several live recordings, I admit it's pretty easy for me to set up. There is a method to this madness and you can choose several paths to find your way. You can choose to make to difficult. You can choose to make it smooth. I have experienced it all. I choose smooth. Add the layers as they progress. Stop when it's good. Even Leonardo Da Vinci still be changing the Mona Lisa....

My Discography...

You know who...

After calling in your troops, the gear gets loaded into its appropriate room. Usually there are chambers to record guitars, bass, drum rooms to track drums and the vocal chamber. Max always sets up a private area in the vocal chamber. Sometimes it is elaborate, sometimes simple.

Vocal Booth

Max's private table

Guitar rack..

The crew spends the first day getting sounds for the recording. You need to zero in on the guitar, bass, and drum tones that you want on the record. The crew and musicians all work this out together, after the gear is all set up. Max's longtime friend, famous percussionist, Meia Noite, from Brazil, also flew in for the recording. He was on tour as percussionist for Sergio Mendez. Mia brought many cases of the craziest instruments and some I was familiar with. The salt and pepper shakers for The Prophecy had arrived!

Meia Noite with gear

The Salt Mine Studio in Mesa was Max's choice for the recording. It is only about an hour from our home, and he worked there for Primitive. Don Salter, the owner, is a perfect host and takes great care of you, besides having top of the line gear. Max worked with John Gray for some time on Primitive, and they would develop a close relationship, during The Prophecy, and work with many more times in the future.

Max and John Gray at the board...

Leo, Kenny, Newbe and Fatty chillin'

I bought a dry erase board to chart the recording on. We make these on each record and yes, we have many of them stored away. I usually frame and glass them so they preserve...but back to the class...

The Prophecy board

Max decided to record track by track, instead of instrument by instrument. He has recorded both ways and both are fine. Drums are first; the layers climb on after...rhythm guitars, bass, leads, percussion and mix the vocals in when you can so the singer doesn't have to sing the whole record straight. Max will do up to 3 songs a day, occasionally more, but it's nice to add them here and there with a powerhouse session, at the end. Also, he brings in the guest musicians a bit later, when their songs are completed.

Max, Marc, and Joe

Meia Noite and Kenny recording

And you know who was always there........

Igor

Class dismissed....