Korn guitarist James ‘Munky’ Shaffer has confirmed that the band is taking an analog approach to their upcoming album. They are recording entirely on tape in a recent interview with Rock Show with Daniel P. Carter.
Shaffer discussed the band’s decision to return to traditional recording methods. He explained the energy it brings to their creative process.
“We’re doing it all on tape,” Shaffer said. “We’re all in the room, sweating it out. The tape is rolling.”
He elaborated on the commitment required by this recording approach. He connected it to the band’s earlier work.
“The guy gives us a thumbs up in the window, and we start playing,” he continued. “And all of us are locked in. And if we don’t get it right, we rewind the tape and we do it again. It takes more commitment. It’s, like, this is how we used to make records. So there’s an energy to it that, I think, we like.”
This return to analog recording methods reflects Korn’s desire to recapture the raw energy that defined their early career. It shaped their distinctive sound.
The band’s decision to record on tape connects directly to their musical origins and breakthrough success. Riffology reported that Korn’s self-titled debut album was recorded using analog tape methods. This contributed to the raw, unpolished sound that became their signature. This approach allowed the band to capture the authentic energy of their live performances in the studio.
The analog recording process requires a level of precision and commitment that digital recording often eliminates. Tape Op Magazine noted that producer Ross Robinson worked on several early Korn albums. He emphasized the importance of recording bands live in the room to capture genuine emotion and energy. This method forces musicians to perform at their best since there are fewer opportunities for post-production corrections.
Korn’s approach mirrors a broader trend among established metal bands returning to analog methods. Wikipedia documented that the band previously experimented with this approach on their 2010 album “Korn III: Remember Who You Are.” The album was recorded using analog techniques to recapture their original sound. The album marked a conscious effort to return to their roots after exploring different musical directions.
The band’s commitment to recording as a complete unit in the studio represents a departure from modern digital recording practices. Individual parts are often recorded separately and assembled later in modern practices. This collaborative approach ensures that the natural chemistry between band members is preserved in the final recording. It maintains the organic feel that characterized their most successful releases.
