Planning Keyboard Recording

 Hi!

Today I'm going to be planning the keyboard/synth recording for my track!

I wanted to record a synth and keyboard part for my track because Portishead have a LOT of synths in their songs - usually quite "weird"-sounding - and so I wanted one in mine, and a more traditional piano sound too. I don't really have any recording references to go off in this one as usually the synths are recorded directly to the software, so I plan to do the same with the synth. For the keyboard, however, I plan to record it directly as well as having a room mic (my trusty, beloved AT2020) to capture room sound and space. Space is very important in their songs - very prominent. Any chance I have to capture more space and 'texture', yes please!

Portishead used the Fender Rhodes (inspiring the name of their song "Roads"), which features tone controls and an "unmistakable tremolo effect", according to Wyeth (2023), which gives the song its underlying rhythm. Being an analogue effect, the tremolo is never perfectly in sync with the beat, but that just helps give Dummy its signature sound - perfect imperfection.

The synth I will be using is the "Nordwave Synthesiser" which has many, many, many oscillators, filters, envelopes and LFO's as well as a notable tube-style overdrive, which I plan on using to further try and achieve that vintage-style feel. Although I will admit, I am unsure what kind of sound I plan on recording exactly - I will experiment when I have access to it before I record (as I currently do not). I do want quite an eery sound though: one slightly smooth but also kind of distorted, something weird but different but not in a bad way? I will experiment at the time. 

Which is why I plan to capture a "normal" piano sound from the larger keyboard in the studio (of which I am unsure of the name, but know I can capture a piano sound from it). I would use a piano, however, I do not have access to one as I have booked a studio room without one... oops. I plan on placing the AT2020 high above the right side of the piano, around 2/3 feet back from it to capture some space. I can then add effects (like the tremolo and maybe some reverb and/or EQ) to the piano sound after, if necessary!

Okay, that is all from me this time.

See you later!!

-D.