What are your thoughts on click tracks?

[brandondrury]

Hello, I've always debated if using a click track was the way to go. I usually let the band decide.

What are your thoughts?

Brandon

[Andrew07]

I think it's a must but lately I've recorded some really shitty bands(mine included) and they've had a hell of a time keeping time to a click. I'm starting to think really tight playing is the most crucial part to a good-sounding recording. Recording to a click makes everything so much easier on the person recording too. It's easier to copy and paste, shift stuff around, and punch in. I've also discovered that the MPC click bleeds a lot less than a standard drum stick click...which is wierd since it has a lot more high end and you would think it would bleed more.

[Deng]

I am all for click tracks, unless the band is REALLY against it, or it is impossible to put one over. For example, the latest band we recorded did all sorts of random (random, but good) time and tempo changes. They got slightly off at times, which is annoying but it was impossible to keep a steady click throughout.

-Deng

[brandondrury]

Sometimes the song needs to speed up and it can't. That's a drag (literally).

Sometimes the song doesn't need to speed up but the drummer feel constrained with the click track.

There is no doubt about it. The recording process is much simpler with a click. I think 90% of that is the fact that drums have to be on. It's very easy for a decent bass or guitar player to come lay tracks over solid drum tracks.

I just debate which is the best method. With the band I've been producing for the last 9 monthes, I'm seriously debating which method is right for them. I just produced my girlfriend's little brother's band. He turns 16 this week. I had them play to a click and they did alright with it, but I get this feeling that they should have just went for it live. I don't know.

Brandon

[snoopy]

I like a click...if you can get a good feel for it(the drummer that is). Some songs have strange things going on with the beat that is not really tempo related.

What I have done with some of my own stuff is do a simple and generic midi drum track then that becomes the click.Also on own my stuff I always do any live drum set tracking last. It is always much easier for me to follow a more complete groove than a simple click.

Peace

[DogpitStudios]

I love using a click track but it usually takes a signifacent amount longer for the drummer (asumming that the drummer is laying down tracks first then everyone goes over there scratch tracks later. It makes it really easy on the bassist and guitarist though. On demo's where the guys only wanna spend 20 hours on a CD I'd do with out the click. Albums I'd say use the click, it really shows in the song.

Ben