Feng Shui recording

[RIFF]

I have a Feng Shui for how I record my guitars. .. Basically what kind of sound.. (playing style, amp channel, gain & maybe speaker) gets mic'd for Left pan, Vs. Right.
Every time I depart or go opposite my basic formula, its .. very... I guess IRRITATING. It bugs the shit outa me & I see no fucking logic behind it.


I want to know that Im not the only one!

[Ostinato Rubato]

I'm starting to get a method down for how I record guitars. What plugins I use and how, mic position, panning, and all that. But I don't think recording should ever be a completely habituated process. Recording should have some element of unknown to it once you've gotten comfortable and have a solid foundation of recording skills.

Gotta keep things fresh and interesting here and there. Throw yourself a curve ball from time to time. Think outside the template.

[RIFF]

I agree man.. I mean, I don't duplicate the formula precisely, but I generally throw a lower gain and more basic style on the left, then right side might have more gain, tighter sound, more varied playing, maybe a different speaker or mic placement.

But yeah, I feel like to change certain things is good. Were ALWAYS learning certain things, or were stagnant!

[ajaxlepinski]

I agree.
Once you find your sound, any variation usually will have a negative effect.
If you record a new instrument, new amp or, go for a new sound, that's different.... until you get them figured out.

I owned a small but busy 8 track studio, way, way back in the analog past.
It got to the point where I could set up the mixing board with my eyes closed.
I'd choose and position mics quickly because, I learned what worked best.
When you know your gear, everything gets set up the same way each time because you know what works best.
Once you know what works best, you stick with it.

[RIFF]

I agree.
Once you find your sound, any variation usually will have a negative effect.
If you record a new instrument, new amp or, go for a new sound, that's different.... until you get them figured out.

I owned a small but busy 8 track studio, way, way back in the analog past.
It got to the point where I could set up the mixing board with my eyes closed.
I'd choose and position mics quickly because, I learned what worked best.
When you know your gear, everything gets set up the same way each time because you know what works best.
Once you know what works best, you stick with it.

I hear you there. Especially in the case of being a recording engineer, youre in the business of making people sound great, quickly & easily. So you go with what you know.

On the other hand, what Im talking about above is more my guitar track structure & layout.
For reasons I cant explain, if not recording a basic duplicate, I find that if I dont follow my known direction direction, it seems... off.