Using metronome vs not using metronome in the Studio.

[maddnotez]

Please discuss.

Looking for pros, cons and opinions on the debate of click or no click in the Studio.

My band is going in soon and was looking for some outsider thoughts.

 

[amiller]

Absolutely, YES! Not even a question for me. I've been doing home-studio work for a hand full of local bands not to mention all of my own stuff and a metronome is a ABSOLUTE MUST! Especially if you track the drums, scratch guitar and bass and then try to lay down keeper tracks. It will NEVER be as tight as it could be. And, when it comes to editing...good luck without having the original drums put down with a metronome.

Now, if your going for a live sound ... all members playing at the same time ... well, that's a different story.

 

[Atropos_Project]

Depends what feel you're going for. Looser, just listen to the drummer.

 

[skoora]

As said, unless it's a live in the room situation with minimal OD's AND the band is well rehearsed, absolutely use a click. Most drummers will fight it if they haven't used it before but they also can't tell if they're speeding up and slowing down either. Insert Whiplash meme here.

 

[PeteLaramee]

We went through the same debate when we first started recording, but now there's no debate...CLICK!!!!!! i cringe at our first few CDs because we didn't want a robotic or mechanical feel. That's bullshit. USE A CLICK!!!

 

[stratjacket]

Agreed, definitely use a click or at least some basic drumbeat (from whatever drum virtual instrument you have) for the players. I am not crazy about playing along with a click sound, but I always use a very basic midi drum beat from my Toontrack midi packs.

 

[sg guy]

-i used to think i had good timing,.. WRONG!!,.. best way to do it is like KIETH MOON,.. slap some head phones on the drummers head whether he wants them or not,.. then you can use the drummer as your metronome.

-how many times have we seen a band live with the timing sped up,.. -(KEITH even used it the ear muffins live,.. crazy i know!)-

 

[155]

unless its a live recording you have to use the click...makes it all sooo much easier to work with,,,.

 

[Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert]

Click

 

[maddnotez]

We're going to use one most likely. The drummer doesn't have too many issues using one. He's actually much better with a click going. We've got the songs all mapped out and are about ready but I've been second guessing it because of feel.

We have a few songs with some changes and for one there are some alternative time sigs. I forget the proper term but like there's literally no time signature. The only way I can explain is this one riff has 17 beats. Well sure we could do 17/4 but 17 down clicks is freaking weird.

But anyway the big reason im second guessing is there's parts we've noticed that we play slightly slower than what the true BPM calls for. It gives so much more feel and heaviness. For example you have two riffs at 150 BPM back to back but if we play the second part at 148 or 145 there is so much more feel to it. Like someone mentioned here above, don't want to be too robotic or ruin any parts.

So yah, just wasn't sure how to approach those odd parts but we will more than likely stick with the click.

 

[skoora]

You should be able to feel almost any time signature around basic quarter notes. You just sub divide or add more counts. You may just want to make sure the click doesn't have a stronger 1 and is uniform on all clicks. That 150 to 148 thing I can't say. It could be the riff/music "feels" like it got a tad slower.. but did it really?

 

[PeteLaramee]

We're going to use one most likely. The drummer doesn't have too many issues using one. He's actually much better with a click going. We've got the songs all mapped out and are about ready but I've been second guessing it because of feel.

We have a few songs with some changes and for one there are some alternative time sigs. I forget the proper term but like there's literally no time signature. The only way I can explain is this one riff has 17 beats. Well sure we could do 17/4 but 17 down clicks is freaking weird.

But anyway the big reason im second guessing is there's parts we've noticed that we play slightly slower than what the true BPM calls for. It gives so much more feel and heaviness. For example you have two riffs at 150 BPM back to back but if we play the second part at 148 or 145 there is so much more feel to it. Like someone mentioned here above, don't want to be too robotic or ruin any parts.

So yah, just wasn't sure how to approach those odd parts but we will more than likely stick with the click.

We play with a ton of time changes. I always program all the beats and tempos ahead of time. You can ask your drummer how he plays the 17/4 (4+3+4+3+3 or whatever) and map it out that way. I used to do that for my brother (my drummer), but now that he's recorded 10 or so CDs he no longer cares about the specifics.

Tempo changes can be hard changes or gradual changes. These can cause a real loose feel if everyone is not right on.

 

[Pushead]

Have the drummer practice ahead of time with a metronome into his headphones so he can get used to it. No point in having his first time with a click in the studio. Give him some time to get used to it.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

click track is ALWAYS a YES and if any member of you band isn't comfortable with a click track don't waste your valuable studio time until they are comfortable with it....if they can't get comfortable with then seriously consider replacing them haha.

 

[JTyson]

At this point, we wont record without a click. We've done it both ways, and with songs that change a lot, it just keeps you locked in.
My drummer (who is a machine) insist's on it, at least for the initial tracks.

 

[Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert]

Bottom line is a click keeps you honest and is part of getting that sound that everyone wants. To do without a click you have to be cohesively able to read each other as a band and that chemistry is very rare because if shit isn't pushing or pulling correctly with a wall of sound type environment even an everyday listener could tell(usually with them thinking you're not as good as the big acts and not really knowing why just that it seems not "pro"). Plus unless you have an understanding engineer and a good deal for the price of recording you're going to make things extremely difficult and your engineer will probably hate you and not be able to turn out as good of a product. Click with heavy music is 99% mandatory.

 

[Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert]

Also mapping the click for a slower bpm wouldn't be a problem but even though the "free time" section of your song is weird with all down beats... if that's what you have to do you have to do. Really depends on the sound you want too. If you don't use a click it will most likely sound dated and old. I do believe Gojira did their stuff no click but they have that chemistry thing for sure, stupid tight.

 

[guitarded_1]

I have a boatload of experience with this. The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that the click should be used as a tool, and when properly used, the drummer should push in front of it, lean behind it, or play on top of it, depending upon what a specific part in the song calls for. When used correctly, a drummer can play to a click and still let the song breathe as needed.

 

[maddnotez]

I have a boatload of experience with this. The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that the click should be used as a tool, and when properly used, the drummer should push in front of it, lean behind it, or play on top of it, depending upon what a specific part in the song calls for. When used correctly, a drummer can play to a click and still let the song breathe as needed.

Very interesting reply thanks. I like this info.

 

[Badronald]

I have a boatload of experience with this. The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that the click should be used as a tool, and when properly used, the drummer should push in front of it, lean behind it, or play on top of it, depending upon what a specific part in the song calls for. When used correctly, a drummer can play to a click and still let the song breathe as needed.

Correct.