Embracing the Future of Recording with BandLab

The Evolution of Recording Technology

When recording first began, everything was analog. In those days, big studios had 16 or 24 tracks of tape. Home studios? If you were lucky, you had 4 or 8 tracks. Brands like Fostex and Tascam ruled the scene. Anyone who experienced that era knows that tapes were bulky. Everything took forever, and syncing MIDI to drum machines felt like juggling flaming knives. It was quite the challenge!

So, when digital recording emerged, it felt like the future had finally arrived.

A New Era Begins

A friend of mine, KATT from Elyria, Ohio, introduced me to Cool Edit 96. At that time, it wasn't even Cool Edit Pro. But that was my first real taste of recording inside a computer. From there, I transitioned to Cool Edit Pro, then Adobe Audition, and rode that wave for quite a while.

Meanwhile, the older analog enthusiasts were skeptical. They insisted that digital recording wouldn't last. They said things like, “That computer stuff isn’t real recording,” and “Analog is the only way.” They weren't ready to embrace the change.

But history has a funny way of proving people wrong.

The SP-1200 Revolution

The same skepticism surrounded the SP-1200. When that machine hit the market, people questioned its capabilities. They looked at it and thought, “What is this little box with eight buttons supposed to do?” They couldn’t grasp how we were squeezing full beats out of just 20 seconds of sample time.

We learned to speed up samples, slow them down, and flip them. Before long, that machine was responsible for millions of records.

FL Studio faced similar skepticism. Back when it was called Fruity Loops, people laughed at the name alone. Everyone clung to their Tritons and Akai hardware. Fast forward to today, and FL Studio is one of the most popular DAWs globally. It earned its respect through innovation and adaptability.

BandLab: The Next Game Changer

Now, BandLab is experiencing a similar cycle. Many people look at it with skepticism and underestimate its potential. However, I see the same signs I noticed with those earlier tools that changed the game.

I’ve mixed quite a few BandLab sessions now, even for artists who were locked up. They invited me into their sessions from behind the wall. I logged in, downloaded the tracks, and mixed them just like any other session. The same goes for artists on the outside. Honestly, BandLab makes that process incredibly easy.

One feature I appreciate is how BandLab provides artists with a starting point for their vocal chains. Some artists tell me, “Yo JReese, this is the chain I used in BandLab.” I look at it and think, “Okay, I see what you’re going for.” They often use subtractive EQ, removing low-end rumble, gentle compression, and de-essing.

Sometimes, I even line up my Pro Tools chain in the same order to make them feel comfortable, and we build the sound from there.

Unlocking BandLab's Full Potential

But here’s the real gem: stop using BandLab only on your phone.

If you log into the desktop version, it opens up a world of possibilities. You can use your sound card, access more options, and gain greater control. Honestly, I wish Pro Tools had a version with this kind of setup. Pro Tools can be too heavy to run like that, but if they ever figured it out, it would be game-changing.

BandLab has even got me thinking about remote recording differently. I could track someone from anywhere through BandLab, then download the stems and finish everything inside Pro Tools. That’s something I might test out soon.

The Future Looks Bright

Overall, BandLab is on a promising path. They have a thriving community, accessibility, and immense potential. I’m curious to see where they take it next because the foundation is solid.

And if you’re using BandLab and need your tracks mixed down, you already know where to go: 1515universe.com/bandlab.

Studio 1515. J.Reese. Signing out Yeamon!