What the Artist Needs to Know Before Entering the Studio

Before any studio recording there is a lot of pre-production. It all starts with a riff, an idea, chord progressions and different parts which will form the final arrangement. What follows is a lot of time spent on practice, fine tuning of details and planing the next step... the Studio session.

Know the way you are going to record

Are you going to record all at once or an instrument at a time? Are you recording on pilot tracks or a click track? This are some of the questions the artist need to address before entering the studio. By knowing that they can prepare for what is going to happen during the session. If there is a click track they should rehearse with one. On the other side, if every musician is going to record his/her part alone it is smart to try it before as well.

There are times when artists want to record live all together in the same room with "bleed". This requires a well prepared musician, as later edits and "fix-it-in-the-mix" options are reduced to a minimum.

Check your instruments

It is wise to inspect the instruments before the recording session. Check if there is the need for drumheads or guitar strings replacement (mostly a welcome option). If done before the session it will save you time on the studio day and hopefully affect your studio budget as well (in a positive way).

You should check also if there are any extraneous noises in the sound. For example, if the floor tom produces rattling noise (e.g. a lose screw holding the lug...) or if the string action on a guitar is to low and triggers buzzing by hitting the frets.

With guitars and basses it is always good to check if the octaves are in tune. In the contrary the instrument should be serviced prior the session. Think about recording the best guitar solo take but realising part of it is out of tune? Not good!

Be prepared

Being well rehearsed is an important thing when you enter the studio. Not only it will reduce the need for additional recording days (and save your budget) but it will also affect the general mood. No-one is happy when there is a need to record the same part over and over again.

By being prepared you can achieve your goals faster and give you some additional time for experimentation if some ideas jump up the mind.

Get to know the studio

Check for the equipment list, backline and similar. Maybe there will be something you would like to use.

Before the studio session arrange for a meeting (coffee) with the studio crew. In that way you can check the place, equipment and get answers to your questions. In that way you can prepare better for the recording day.

The recording day

Show up at the agreed time. Bring with you everything you'll need for the session.

If there is no need for every musician to come at the same time schedule this beforehand (e.g. a strings section that's going to record in the evening...). You should discuss this with the producer and engineers.

Don't be afraid to ask anything before the session, especially if it will be your first time recording in the studio... and remember, just relax and enjoy the recording process like there is no one happening at all.

Concentrate on the music and let the magic happen. :)

#recordingstudio #musicrecording #musicartists