Timing Issues: A Producer's Worst Nightmare

I can’t tell you how many recording sessions have been ruined (or at least been made incredibly difficult) by musicians who can’t play in time with the click track or metronome. I even know producers who send bands home because of their inability to play in time! I’ll admit that playing in time is difficult to get the hang of and it’s not a skill that many musicians have naturally, however, since all of the tracks in a recording snap to the grid in the corresponding tempo it’s crucial to the recording process that everything be in perfect time. Since most newer recording suites such as Garageband, ProTools and Logic have a time manipulation function called Flex Time which has this precise function, we’ll go over some of the basics of when it’s appropriate to use it.

MYTH

“It’s close enough, they can fix it in post-production.” This is a very poor attitude to have. Yes, to some degree a producer can fix timing issues in post but he or she shouldn’t have to splice and re-cut an entire track. Timing alignment should be reserved for very small mistakes and for cleaning up an already near flawless track to make it perfect.

WHAT IS “NEAR FLAWLESS”?

As humans, we are imperfect by design that’s why we use computers to pick up the slack. By ear, we are capable of playing to the metronome very well but our software can help us achieve mathematical, machine perfect timing with the click of a mouse. Only when you have recorded a track keeping the best timing possible should you use Flex Time to snap it to the grid. This will allow for no audible “hiccups” in the sound and you won’t be able to tell that it was changed at all. You’ll definitely be able to tell just by listening if you need to re-record a piece.

ADVICE

Just practice your timing or have the musicians you’re scheduled to record make sure that they’ve developed this skill. Invest in a metronome, they’re cheap and can be found at any local music store. They even have FREE metronome apps for the iPhone. This will help make recording as fun as it should be.