When Is a Take Good… Enough?

You probably know the feeling. The recording session is going well, the vibe is there, the ideas are flowing, and then, out of nowhere, you stumble over a specific part of a take. It might be something from earlier in the session or perhaps the latest take. You try it a few more times, but for some reason, it just doesn’t sound the way you want it to anymore.

This kind of “micro-focus,” as I like to call it, can be tough to handle, especially when it starts affecting the rest of the session. And if someone asks what exactly you’re looking for or what’s missing, it’s often hard to put into words. It’s as if the feeling in the take just isn’t quite right. So, when is a take good, and when is it good… enough?

When Imperfection Is Part of Perfection

Of course, it’s natural to want to sound your best when you listen back to a recording of yourself. You’re in the studio, and you want to perform. Small nuances in a recording often make all the difference, and you want those nuances to be as perfect as possible. That’s why it’s so frustrating when you trip up over something seemingly minor.

I’ve been in plenty of recording sessions where everything’s going great until the tiny details start to pop up. You almost forget to look at the big picture, zooming in so much that the music stops feeling like a beautiful, spontaneous expression and turns into a think tank. And the funny thing is, I’d bet that, just like Michael Jackson and Bruce Swedien, who mixed Billie Jean 91 times, you might ultimately end up choosing mix number… two. Yes, really.

That doesn’t mean you should be careless in front of the microphone; you should give it your all during the recording. But it’s crucial to realize that the idea of “perfect” is relative. What feels like the perfect take today might make you want a retake tomorrow. Try to recognize the mindset you’re in when you pull out the proverbial magnifying glass, and put it in perspective. This is how you feel now, but will you still feel the same in a couple of days? Chances are, you’ll listen back later and hear it differently.

Capture the Song in Its Moment

How do you get past this? Avoiding it entirely probably isn’t possible. It’s a natural consequence of being critical of yourself. You want to do well, and sometimes that leads to focusing too much on things that are ultimately irrelevant. And that’s where I want to go with this blog. Don’t get too caught up in things that you won’t even remember a year or two from now. Let the moment shape the song; that’s often when the best things happen.

Of course, if the vocals are off-pitch or the melody is shaky, there’s more to fix. But speaking for myself, when I can’t connect with the subjective side, the vibe, the feel of the take, I go into purely objective mode. Does the take meet the technical requirements? Is the timing good, is the vocal melody strong, and are there no extraneous sounds in the guitar recording? Then it’s a good take. Does the take technically provide the information we need? Does it capture the sonic qualities and the frequency density with no odd resonances? Then, technically, it’s a good take.

Easier said than done, I know, and I understand if it’s tough to just move on. Without forcing it, try looping the section and recording five to ten versions, some the same, some with slight variations. It may sound a bit detached, but sometimes, that’s what’s needed. Don’t let it overshadow the rest of your session. Get a set of good takes, then move on. Come back to it in a couple of days, and you’ll see that there’s likely plenty to work with.

Focus on Musical Choices That Matter

It’s important to make good recordings, to perform at your best. But don’t get hung up on aspects that, in the long run, might not even matter or that you’ll just gloss over later. Have fun with it, and give it some time if it doesn’t feel right. Often, you’ll need to step out of that bubble before you can really listen to those recordings with a fresh perspective.

Give Your Listener The Best Possible Experience

What matters most is that the recordings are good. Perfect is good. Good enough is good. And sometimes, a little mixing and mastering can help bring out that extra something in a take, making it sound just like you envisioned. Want us to help with that? Check out our Music Plans, who knows, we might be working on your new track together as soon as next week!