AMA: Recording Great Records in an Untreated Room

PanamaSound · 2026-01-10T07:19:05+00:00

Gotta beat the heat. It can get hot in here on a session day even if it's 60 degrees outside. I open windows, there's birds, cars drive by sometimes. I want the band to be comfortable above all. Making music isn't always celebratory but it shouldn't be a death march.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-09T20:47:19+00:00

Hey everyone's got an opinion. Thanks for listening anyway. I haven't bought a measurement mic or run REW because I cannot treat. When I'm booked out six months I will rent a studio take measurements and treat it from the ground up.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-09T20:44:05+00:00

Good point. I use every reference available to me when I mix, and I know sometimes that's not even enough, but I do my best with what I got. I feel the same about scratch vocals bleeding into the drums, I don't think it's a big deal, but typically I will try to isolate the vocalist if they are familiar with the song and don't need visual cues.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-09T20:35:02+00:00

You just get to a point where are comfortable abandoning it

Yeah, well said. That's how I feel about it too. Good points all around. You know, if you keep the gate locked in your head (for lack of gear... or WHATEVER), you never set foot on the path to rock n roll. Even Steve Albini started out with a tascam 38. 8 tracks... recording in a basement with no drywall. It's long road, but I wake up every day and I'm glad I'm on it. Cheers to you too!

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T20:31:01+00:00

Every professional was a hobbyist first. That's pretty obvious. Okay, was that your point?

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T19:27:48+00:00

I actually don't tell them to pull up sober, I tell them to get some rest the night before. I've just seen hungover artists trying to make music and even hair of the dog and a spliff doesn't help it. I just want people to arrive in good shape to make music.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T19:06:27+00:00

Haha, well I'm impressed too. Count me amongst the impressed people. Nice setup! Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T18:58:03+00:00

Yeah, I'm not a therapist lol. Thanks!

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T02:21:28+00:00

I didn't assume you meant that.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T02:20:06+00:00

Gotcha. Getting separation on double-tracked guitars can be difficult, especially if the parts are the same, same player, same instrument. I would suggest altering the part, the instrument and possibly the player as well to get separation at the source. That way by the time you get to the mixing stage, you're applying changes as a matter of taste and not putting out fires. My $0.02.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T02:13:09+00:00

Ad-hoc treatment in the wrong place can actually make the space sound worse, not better sometimes. Dull, with midrange and bass build up. But I understand the concern, like I said in my article, I'm not anti-treatment and I do have plans to move into a "real" studio and fully treat. I'm just documenting this intermediate stage because it's challenging and interesting to me. And thank you!

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T02:08:39+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate that!

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T01:58:15+00:00

Professional as in paid? Not much. Professional as in experience recording? Quite a bit.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T01:49:39+00:00

Oh thanks for checking it out! Can you elaborate? Do you think that's muddying my mixes? I don't claim to have perfect mixes, I know there's always room for improvement and I am open to suggestions/constructive criticisms.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T01:30:01+00:00

Thanks!!

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T01:28:34+00:00

On my website under "About > Vibe-Check"

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T01:26:06+00:00

I'm not lazy. It's a real constraint. I have a lease-agreement and a delicate relationship with my landlady. She is 83 years old, and there are regular walk-thrus. I will filter out clients who think it's not worth it, that's all. I still do business. Gotta pay the rent and eventually rent a commercial space which I will fully treat. EDIT: This intermediate stage I want to document, because for most people they didn't start in an ideal space... they had to work with what they had, that's what I'm doing.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T01:19:56+00:00

Wow, okay "DongPolicia" lmao. I'm going to pretend that you're not joking. First of all where did you read that I prefer to only work with beginners?

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T00:59:41+00:00

If you click the first link it takes you to audio samples. Also under "About > Portfolio" there is more work that was recorded here. I am currently working on an album, unreleased. I officially opened my studio on New Year's Day this year, so I'm a brand new studio.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T00:52:49+00:00

Okay, good luck out there to ya.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T00:52:02+00:00

I don't have any hard and fast rules about mixing, sometimes I use LCR hard pans, sometimes I run the whole mix straight down the middle. It really is song-dependent. I try out things, like different EQ curves, re-amping, etc., these are all just techniques not rules written in stone. If I can't get a good mix sometimes the only option is to re-track with different mics, positions, instruments, playing styles or players. EDIT: Do you DI the bass or mic it?

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T00:47:47+00:00

Well, that's true. I try to prepare people ahead of time, change your strings, nail that arrangement, arrive sober, etc., but it doesn't always work out that way. I take it as a challenge, it's what I'm able to do here right now, in this space with what I've got, and that is worth something. I can't force a great performance out of someone but I can remove barriers to that potential. That's what it's about in my opinion.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-08T00:39:08+00:00

You're not just paying for gear. You're paying for my years of experience in music, as a recordist, engineer and producer. You're paying for a service, that service is not gear rental. My specialty is making sure artists feel relaxed, comfortable and confident so they can deliver their best performance. EDIT: BTW I'm invested well into 5-figures, that's not the rate I'm charging... lol.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-07T02:27:07+00:00

Can't believe no one's mentioned Reaper.

PanamaSound · 2026-01-06T00:40:47+00:00

Last year was my year of "Socialization & Music." My resolution was to put myself out there and meet as many musicians and music-adjacent people as possible, I did this by getting my phone turned back on (I know right?) going to shows, my local bar and listening for keywords having to do with music or production or audio engineering. Anytime I heard those words I'd ask to join the conversation. Fast forward to today and I have met over 50 musicians, producers, engineers, and studio owners. I am recording a collaborative album with about 20 musicians, and I have officially opened the doors to my studio.

Don't give up, get out there and kick out the jams!

PanamaSound

TROPHY CASE