Chapter 24: New Record

Recording an album is a serious endeavor, requiring a proper recording studio. The walls of a recording studio are designed to absorb and insulate sound; you can't just use any room.

The difference in sound quality between a professional studio and a makeshift setup is substantial. Melancholy Mood had tried recording in their practice room twice before, but the results were disappointing.

This delayed their plans to send the master tape to the record company.

After being invited to perform at the Eagle Rock Music Festival and receiving a modest appearance fee, they finally had enough money to rent a professional recording studio for an hour.

Stepping into the traditional recording studio, Evan Bell and his bandmates were amazed by the array of equipment: sequencers, mixers, samplers, sound sources, synthesizers, effects units, metronomes, and more.

The studio also had top-quality guitars, basses, drums, recording microphones, and headphones. The slightly dry air seemed to heighten their excitement.

Although technology now allows for home recording with just a computer and sound card, professional studios still use advanced computers alongside traditional equipment to maintain superior sound quality.

Evan and his bandmates didn't have much time to admire the studio's setup. They needed to record their last two songs, "The End" and "Boundless Sky."

Without a professional recording engineer, they had to operate the equipment themselves and check the recording quality on their own.

Typically, professional band recordings involve separately recording the singer and each instrument to ensure clarity and eliminate noise. Although this method can sometimes lack the spontaneity of live performances, it was the best solution given their limited time.

Standing in front of the microphone, Evan began his first take with headphones on. He knew the basics: the headphones would play the prepared sound, including the accompaniment and previous vocal recordings, while he sang into the recording microphone.

This process, known as "listening wet and recording dry," allows the recording engineer to hear the singer's isolated voice.

However, knowing the process and experiencing it are two different things. Hearing his own voice in the headphones felt strange. Less than two sentences in, Jacob Tibo and Gillen Haas at the mixing desk looked incredulous, and Bruce Stewart smiled, giving Evan an ominous feeling.

Jacob pressed the red button on the mixing console, stopping the music in Evan's headphones. "Evan, you were off-key on two notes," Jacob said, trying to suppress his laughter.

Evan shrugged helplessly and said, "If you want to laugh, go ahead." He then burst into laughter himself, followed by Jacob and Gillen.

Although he couldn't hear their laughter, he could see their amused expressions through the soundproof glass.

On his second attempt, Evan was less surprised by his own voice but still struggled with the rhythm, often comparing himself to the original recording in his ears.

This time, the reactions from his bandmates were even more exaggerated. Bruce turned away, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

Realizing he needed to hear the playback, Evan stepped out of the soundproof booth, greeted by the sounds of laughter and the hum of the recording equipment.

Playing back his second attempt, Evan heard his raw, unprocessed voice. It felt foreign, like hearing himself speak with his ears covered or resonating in his chest.

He was surprised at how different it sounded from what he was used to. The playback revealed numerous pitch and rhythm mistakes, highlighting the challenges of studio recording.

Despite the amusement, Evan didn't lose confidence. He knew it was just a matter of getting used to the recording process. After seven or eight tries, he finally found his groove.

By then, fifteen minutes had passed, making Jacob and the others anxious about their limited time.

Fortunately, they were only recording a demo to send to the record company, so it didn't need to be perfect. Once Evan hit his stride, the recording process sped up. They recorded "The End" three times and "Boundless Sky" four times, completing their work within the hour.

The band's live recording was quicker than Evan's solo efforts. They were accustomed to playing together, although live performances come with inevitable mistakes.

Bruce, the most skilled, made fewer mistakes, while Jacob, the drummer, needed a few extra takes.

Both songs were recorded three times before the studio owner came to knock on the door. Though not perfect, the master tapes were good enough to send to the record company.

In exactly one hour, Melancholy Mood wrapped up their session. This brief but intense experience gave Evan a deep appreciation for the challenges of studio recording.

Even though they worked quickly, it took several hours to produce satisfactory recordings.

He understood why recording studios are so demanding and that creating a full album would require much more time and effort.

Returning from the Eagle Rock Music Festival, Evan's restless energy from the audience's enthusiastic response, the affirmation from Linkin Park, and interest from Warner Records gave him hope for the future of Melancholy Mood.

While Evan focused on his movie project, his bandmates could distribute the master tapes to various record companies, a more proactive approach than waiting around at school.

Despite his film commitments, Evan sincerely hoped for Melancholy Mood's success. "Let's pray," he thought.