How to prepare for a recording session

In this part 5 of my Album series, I'm going to show you how I prep for a recording session. In this case, a track in Logic, and a strings session in RAK studios - all the steps in between. Let me know in the comments if you want more info on any of these pointers.

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Join me on my journey to release my first studio album. Is there a way to release an album in 2024 and make it financially viable? This is the fifth part to my journey - preparation for the session. Each video I'll outline every step of the process from initial ideas all the way to manufacture and setting up your shop.

Thank you to the incredible musicians who played on my music and the talented engineers who helped me get it over the finish line:

Track listing:

1 - A Home From Home
2 - Ecstatic Skies
3 - Golden Hour
4 - Summer Heat
5 - Ballet Of The Snow
6 - Dreaming Of The Lights
7 - City Of Angels
8 - Into The Void
9 - Cloudburst
10 - Moonrise Dew
11 - Melancholy
12 - Nocturne

All tracks written, produced and mixed by Paul Thomson

Recorded at The Bull Pen and The Lane

Strings recorded by Isabel Gracefield at RAK Studio 1

Strings contracted by Hilary Skewes

Transcriptions by Ben Foskett

Mastered by Cicely Balston at AIR Mastering

Musicians

Tina Guo: Cello (5) Ash Soan: Drums (9) Mike Georgiades: Guitar (9) Anthony Weeden: Conductor (2,3,8,9,11) Jonathan Morton: Leader (2,3,8,9) Violin solo (11) Anna Blackmur, Magdalena Filipczak, Raja Halder, Magnus Johnston, Antonia Kesel, Eloisa-Fleur Thom: Violin (2,3,8,9,11) Laurie Anderson, Meghan Cassidy, Gary Pomeroy: Viola (2,3,8,9,11) Richard Harwood, Brian O'Kane, Jessie Ann Richardson: Cello (2,3,8,9,11) Leon Bosch, Lucy Shaw: Contrabass (2,3,8,9,11)

JOURNEYS sound pack - to keep you busy while I finish the process of prepping for release heres a fun sound pack of some of my favourite sounds that I created to use while making the record. (And a few extra!) Includes some great playable Logic Pro Sampler and Kontakt (full version) instruments of sounds including Balalaika, Psaltery Pads, Cello FX, DFAM basses, fx and drums samples, Nylon Guitar, Wine Glasses, Studio Drumkit, Flute Air FX, Clarinet texture pad, Electric guitar FX and pads, Ride Cymbal taps. over 600 MB of content across 62 patches. REQUIRES either LOGIC PRO in 'Sampler' format *or* FULL VERSION OF KONTAKT 5.8.1 or later. Does NOT work in free Kontakt PLAYER. Both formats included in download. Also sample content is WAV format so you can just drag audio into your sessions if you prefer.

CD DELIVERY INFORMATION - please read before ordering: we ship using ROYAL MAIL TRACKED only. Tracked shipping will provide you with a tracking number. If lost during shipping we will provide a replacement free of charge.

Sound Pack content:

Journeys - Kit BD.nki
Journeys - Kit HH.nki
Journeys - Psaltery Cluster MW.nki

[GavinLuke]

Great video Paul! And very timely as I’m doing a similar recording project soon with a similar ensemble. Thanks for the helpful tips!

[cvrart]

Valuable insights, as always! Thanks, Paul.

[YUKI.H.SAKAMOTO]

It's amazing you manage so many tracks.

[lowrater]

Very interesting. Im looking forward for the next video regarding your mastering.

[desoconnor]

Very Intresting …strangely I have never considered using notation software with my own compositions. I do have notation software, …which I do use to visualise other composers music so is a big take-away for me…almost an embarrassing confession. 🙏🙏🏿👍🎶🎶

[MePeterNicholls]

Would love to know more about your template.

[MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

It is not really backed up unless it exists in at least 3 different locations