live vs. studio sounds

[Nico]

ever notice how some bands sound much different live as opposed to the stuff they release from the studio? often the studio version sounds better, but i just saw the secret machines the other night, and i have to say that they are 100% better live as opposed to their cd's. their live sound was amazing--really dense and thick and intense and beautifull. the stuff i heard on their cd was so much more tame, and i think it does them a diservice. if they could capture their live sound on cd, i think it'd make a world of difference. if you get a chance to see them live, you should check them out. they rock.

 

[indigo tree]

I always thought that when going live bands should pull out all the stops to sound good. But some bands just don't sound good live, unfortunatly. But a band like U2...I have never personally went to one of their concerts but I have listended to a lot of their live stuff, and it is incredible.
I do agree with you when you say a bands live material sounds different than the studio version; but thats not always a bad thing.
Don't get me wrong thier studio stuff is awesome, but some of thier songs live are just so much better. Bullet the Blue Sky, for example. The studio version is excellent, but live it kicks ****!

 

[anastasiotrey]

double post!

 

[anastasiotrey]

A really good band is better in concert than in the studio. In the studio you can re-record anything. If you miss a note, no problem, just record over it. The techniques in recording studios are so advanced that they can make anyone sound good.
The road though is a different story - its all live and no room for error. And when you can rock, without some guy on the soundboard fixing all your mistakes, when you can entertain with your improv work and inspired playing, now thats real music.

 

[going_crazy_am_i_me]

i perfer live sound over studio... it just has more feeling in it than you get in the studio. but some bands cant sing without the studio... so i guess sometimes its a win-win situation lol

 

[nadroj1985]

A really good band is better in concert than in the studio. In the studio you can re-record anything. If you miss a note, no problem, just record over it. The techniques in recording studios are so advanced that they can make anyone sound good.
The road though is a different story - its all live and no room for error. And when you can rock, without some guy on the soundboard fixing all your mistakes, when you can entertain with your improv work and inspired playing, now thats real music.

Spoken like a true Phish fan

 

[indigo tree]

A really good band is better in concert than in the studio.

Right on.

 

[ps139]

When you can play live then you know you have real real talent. There is a quote by Jon Fishman (Phish drummer) making fun of pop stars who are only good in the studio .... I cant find it though! I'll post it when I do.

 

[nadroj1985]

A really good band is better in concert than in the studio.

Since everyone seems to be so wholeheartedly agreeing with this statement, I'll throw in a little dissent I like studio albums better than live performances, personally. The argument most of you seem to be making is that anyone could sound good in a studio, and you have to be a real musician to play well and hit all the notes live.

(1) No one'll sound good (to me) in the studio unless they are good artists. It has nothing to do with studio tricks. Good music is good music. It could make somebody's voice sound better, or iron out instrumental mistakes, but it can't make good music out of bad music.

(2) Since when has music been about hitting all the right notes, or being a virtuoso at your instrument?

 

[Out of the Flames]

Since everyone seems to be so wholeheartedly agreeing with this statement, I'll throw in a little dissent I like studio albums better than live performances, personally. The argument most of you seem to be making is that anyone could sound good in a studio, and you have to be a real musician to play well and hit all the notes live.

(1) No one'll sound good (to me) in the studio unless they are good artists. It has nothing to do with studio tricks. Good music is good music. It could make somebody's voice sound better, or iron out instrumental mistakes, but it can't make good music out of bad music.

(2) Since when has music been about hitting all the right notes, or being a virtuoso at your instrument?

I knew I could count on you to mix it up! You're always good at that.

I happen to enjoy studio albums better than live performances as well because I believe that the studio album is how you truly come to appreciate the artists and their music.

While there are some bands that suck phenomenally in concert, I typically enjoy the bands that go out there and give "the usual" a new spin. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it's always a blast to watch them spin so much energy and emotion into their music. You can tell which bands truly enjoy and have fun with their music and which ones are just going through the motions.

 

[Mr Tom]

good example of a band that can sound good live and recorded - Delirious?

they are awesome live and awesome recorded. I have got a load of their albums and I have to say that Access:d is the most touching album to listen to, but World Service is studio recorded and better musically. theres a cross-over bit in between - its gotta be good music and well performed live!

 

[propane]

Live performances can have feedback and reverb that studio recordings don't have. And I wouldn't be suprised if a lot of people's favourite artists used sfx pedals (sp?) when the perform live.

 

[mathias1979]

The band Live is really good live...much better than their studio albums in my opinion.

-Matt

 

[oldrooster]

I am also a studio album fan, I have heard some great live shows.....they rarely compare with studio work.....

 

[propane]

I listen to rap so the lyrics are the main thing. A nice beat sounds nice anywhere.

I'm into beatboxing as well, and that sounds awesome live with a decent mic, but on a recorded track you doubt the authenticity of it (have they been using sound effects?).

 

[Roo6339]

it depends on the band. for example, metallica's S&M is probably their best album (even though it is a live album) simply because it is pretty well perfect and they have that awesome symphony playing too. bands like linkin park, however, don't sound all that great live (on CD that is, when you're there it's great!).

 

[Mr Tom]

Live performances can have feedback and reverb that studio recordings don't have. And I wouldn't be suprised if a lot of people's favourite artists used sfx pedals (sp?) when the perform live.

whats wrong with that? otherwise they would sound completely different!!