Neurotic Recordng Sessions

[kbit]

Every time I have the red light on to record something my playing aeems to turn to shit. Like im psyching myself out because I know THIS ONE COUNTS. Does anyone else experience neuroses during recording? Have you gotten past it? What do you do about?

[D.o.S.]

Do the Can thing dude, just record everything.

[kbit]

I was just going to say I've had that idea but I havent done it yet. I probably should.

Most of the time I use a good bit of self talk to get into a better head space but it doesn't always work. Walkig away from playing for a few minutes can help, too. But its like, every time I record this happens. It's annoying as fuck.

[01010111]

This happens to me every time too. I've been trying to record more little things for snapchat/instagram to try and help myself get accustomed through exposure.

[Invisible Man]

Yeah, there are so many methods for 'recording' now that you can lessen the red light syndrome. Get a TC Wiretap, or record everything, or leave your phone on when you're noodling, or put a bunch of mics in the the room and rig them up so that they're all on the same power strip as your amp/pedals--everything comes on at once; non-negotiable. Or just decide to be less anxious (kidding).

The struggle is real, though.

[D.o.S.]

I was just going to say I've had that idea but I havent done it yet. I probably should.

Most of the time I use a good bit of self talk to get into a better head space but it doesn't always work. Walkig away from playing for a few minutes can help, too. But its like, every time I record this happens. It's annoying as fuck.

Another thing that can help is remembering that just because you record something doesn't mean you have to put it out for anyone else to listen to. And also remember that you're not paying for tape, or studio time, so there's no reason why a given take has to be THE TAKE.

Have you tried punching in?

[friendship]

The only thing that's worked for me is rehearsing the part so many times I'm performing autonomically. Example: I had to track somewhat tricky bass for a song--I'm a mediocre bassist at best--and I kept getting tripped up. I did something like 30 takes in a row. The 30th take I nailed it because at that point my hands felt like they were moving by themselves. I didn't even have to comp the takes, I just deleted the first 29. Some might say that if I had practiced that hard before recording that I wouldn't have had to do all those takes, but like you I get red light syndrome and it wasn't just about rehearsing the part. I had to rehearse the part while being effected by that anxiety. Thank the dark lord that I live in the age of digital audio and home recording which allows for this.

This method may sound annoying, but you end up feeling like a badass when you finally nail it. You just have to remind yourself not to get frustrated by all the shitty takes you're doing; it helps to tell yourself that the shitty takes are unavoidable steps to get the one you want.

[fcknoise]

I have this a lot. That's why there are sour notes in all my YouTube videos (that + my laziness). But that's also when I'm playing in front of other people. I just get worse than when I sit by myself.

[popvulture]

I basically just do a version of what Friendship mentioned, in that I usually just end up doing a lot of takes. I don't typically save the takes either, rather just delete them as I go. It's a bit ridiculous, but I'm usually after a really solid performance and want it all to be there. Sometimes I will get so frustrated that I'll eventually punch in or comp two together, but I try not to. Why? I'm essentially practicing / getting better at it by playing it so much, occasionally come across happy accidents, and I think it just sounds better if you nail it.

I don't view it as some sort of oppressively unrealistic goal, though—I think it's fun to go for the challenge, and if I really get too pissed about it at any point, I move on to something else

[aens_wife]

Oh I fucking hate recording. I get nervous, so plenty of mistakes but also turn into a crazy perfectionist. So even when something sounds fine, I hate it.

[DRodriguez]

I record other people for a living, but when it comes to my own stuff, I can't ever get out of my head. Even if I can play something blindfolded and upside down, when I go to record, I'll forget it all. So it's gotten to the point where, depending on the end goal, I learned to just let go. Accept the imperfections and release it with the mentality of it's kinda live. And I remind myself, 99% of what I record is for Instagram, and will only be briefly heard and forgotten by maybe 50 people.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

some abstract thoughts in no particular order

clear your head or get out of your head. try to convince yourself u are not recording even tho u know u are or change how u think about recording.
recording is a life of its own. it doesn't have to be about getting it "perfect" and just like life, it rarely ends up being so.
negative emotions like self doubt are part of the palette of humanity. use it! embrace your flaws. don't run from them. they are so so beautiful.
so much of recording has to do with capturing the moment in time, not just playing getting your part down or playing it technically perfect.
we also live in an age where redoing or editing a take at any time couldn't possibly be any simpler or easier.
let your song evolve naturally. u may be able to record that part in better when there is more sounds around it. or maybe even a change or new part that fits where your song has taken u.

get in the habit of recording a lot. even just for practice. make it fun.
treat it like u would just picking up your guitar and having an impromptu jam. it is an "instrument" too. and like an instrument it also takes training and getting used to.
learn about recording (and your program or recording device) techniques // tricks to make your life easier. these will help u somewhere down the line.
the better u know your DAW/recording device, the easier everything is going to flow
make it fun! yes 2x!

the more u breath life into it, the better it will get.
and vice versa so don't breathe too much life into the bad cycle!!!!!
don't be so hard on yourself if it is roadblocking you in moving forward.
perfectionism is poison if it is stopping u from moving forward.
YOU CAN ALWAYS COME BACK TO IT.

sometimes the stars just don't align for u at that particular moment, and that can be fine too.

i used to keep a small post it note on my computer screen to cover the record button/light.

these things tend to stem from the head, not your body or hands. your body knows what to do. its in your muscle memory. trust it more.

a few times in the past when working w/ others, in special situations i've tried the "i changed it how does it sound now?" but in reality i changed nothing.
and 100% of the time they always say "i like it now" and we move forward instead of continuing agonizing over it.
sometimes we would go back to it another day, and it would always turn out better than the time before with way less stress.
i am only saying this because it just goes to show you how sometimes in the moment, its easy to get carried away & end up in paralysis.
its good to know when to step away, and when to push harder but if u are always stepping away, u prob need to push harder more often to get in the habit.

<#

[coldbrightsunlight]

90% of the time when recording I'm improvising at least a little. I find that it helps because I'm not trying to play something perfect, I'm just trying to play something good and it doesn't matter necessarily if I miss this note or that. I don't do it for this reason, just because it's normally the vibe I'm trying to capture, so I'm not sure if it's a helpful idea...

If I'm actually trying to play a written part properly I just practice it and practice it until it works. Yeah, sometimes I fuck up a take but I just delete it and try again, it's not like anyone is listening!

[D.o.S.]

Casually leaving out the fact that you're a disgusting guitarist. Nice.

Also, when all else fails, just remember: "My 7XL is not yet invented."

[coldbrightsunlight]

I'm 50/50 on whether you meant disgusting as a good or bad thing. Either way, thanks!