Sept 5-11th, we had the first real massive studio session using almost all the channels (22) and this included 3 guitar set ups (Fender, Orange, Marshall), bass (Ampeg), full drum kit, congas, bongos, 9 channels of keyboards and one room mic in the ceiling. We left all the mics on even if only some of the instruments were being used.. We learned a lot about the process. At one point 8 people were in the jam session.
The sound we captured was excellent using the Audient ASP880 and UAD apollos and LUNA. We had all the mics and cables and stands that we needed so that was good. I had hoped I was prepared for whatever we might need and I was! A couple more GOBOs could have been nice though.
Our biggest problem was the live room sound. We tried on the first days to use headphones but this was too difficult for people to get what they wanted (as I only have two headphone mixes possible at the moment and not enough experience with using the cues) and the drums were so loud people were blowing their ears out in the headphones to compete with the loud drums. I have to have a drum shield if you have a hard hitting and loud drum kit. We ended up putting some of the bed mattresses from the back room on the walls around the drums to make it less harsh in the room and putting a lot of instruments into the PA and people wore earplugs instead of headphones. Drums are just too loud if you have a rock band..
We also discovered that it was a huge mistake to not put bass traps in the room. The bass frequencies were huge and all over the room at times and very bad in the corners, in the front of the room. I do not know about the drum corner or where the fuse box was but in my synth corner, it was horrible..
Everyone agreed the room had a great sound and you can really hear this on the recordings. The drums are so lively and we only used 3 mic (overhead ribbon mic, snare bottom and kick).. Now the months of mixing.. 42 pieces ranging from 7mins to 64mins, with an avg length of about 25mins were recorded. Wow..