Ernie Halter, a previous Under the Radar artist here at Frequency Magazine has just entered the studio to start recording his next album. Ernie took the time out of his busy recording schedule to give our readers some insight into the recording process!

FM: What are the preparation stages when recording an album?  Do you go into the studio with a pre-plan?

Yes! I’m in “pre-production” in my mind, as soon as a song is done, but officially I spend several full days devoted entirely to mapping arrangements, keys, tempos, figuring out which instrumentation for which songs…the overall feel of the record and the best recording plan.

FM: Describe a typical day in the studio.  Is there one?

Not really a typical day. It depends on what needs to get done. This week we’re laying guitar and vocal parts to a click track so that when we call the other session musicians, they have something to play to.  We’re recording grand piano tonight at a huge church nearby that my producer/engineer Spenser Bishop has access to.

FM: For this upcoming record, are you working with musicians you’ve worked with before or are you experimenting with new sounds?

Both. It looks as though good friend and long time bassist Zach Rudulph will be making an appearance. Will be bringing in good buddy Tony Lucca to sing on a new song called “This Beautiful Ache,” and very excited to collab with him on the new record. Mostly I’m stripping down from previous recordings and building tracks around my vocal and guitar. Leaning more toward percussion than drums. Cello over bass…more acoustic/organic than the previous releases.

FM: Do you go into the studio with a set deadline for the album?

I embark on a 4 week US tour with Joe Firstman in February, so ideally I’d like to be done tracking and into mixing by then. Otherwise the release of the record gets pushed back several more months. It’s not so much a set deadline, in that if it’s not right we can’t take the time to correct something, but releasing a record takes months of pre-planning with regards to promotion, marketing and distribution… and if it’s delayed, you have to start over with regards to a release plan.

FM: What is the typical wait time from post-production to release date?

Typically 2-3 months. That’s the time it takes to properly promote, market and distribute a new release.

FM: On your website, you’ve stated that Starting Over was just that, starting over.  Are you going for a certain tone with this new album as well?

I can’t say so much that I’m going for a certain theme with regards to songs, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it appears that way to some because many of the songs were written within a year or so, and that tends to reflect where you were at a specific place in your life. With regards to sound though, I do know that I’m aiming for a more intimate record than the previous two.

FM: Do you have a favorite studio memory when recording past albums?

I vividly remember the making of Congress Hotel, sitting on the piano in the house above the studio playing “When The Lights Go Down,” and being so pleased with the way the performance was captured live, no multi-tracking or editing.

FM: And lastly, (and for completely selfish reasons), are fans going to get to see a studio version of “Yes I Am” with this album?

Yes indeed : ]