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Have
all the musical and vocal parts worked out before you come
to the studio. (Know your guitar solos!) |
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Make
a list of who is playing what on each song and
make a copy for your engineer |
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Print
out an extra set of lyric sheets for the engineer
to make notes on |
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Rehearse
more songs than you plan to record. You never know
which songs will sound strongest on the final tape. (e.g. If
you plan to have a four-song demo, prepare six songs just
in
case, and
if things are going well, record all six and pick the best.) |
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Eat
well, get enough sleep, and keep your ears rested and clear.
(Don't spend your time with an iPod or a blaring
car stereo on your way to the studio.) |
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Be
early! Try to get drummer here early to setup
(we've often let them setup the day/night before.) The clock
here doesn't start ticking until we actually start pulling signals. |
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Make
sure you and the engineer have the same vision.
Go
over your songs with us before recording. |
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Use
new strings, cords, drum sticks and heads (if necessary)
and bring spares! Please remember to put those
new strings on the night before! |
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Don't
use new gear or different equipment that you haven't used
before, even if it's "better than what
you have." Surprises can cause problems. |
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Always
keep in mind the focus of your music. If it's the vocals, plan to spend the most time on them. Don't
waste time on things that don't highlight the focal point. |
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Get
the sound you want while recording. (Never
assume that you can fix it in the mix.) |
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Keep
guests out, or to a minimum. It's your recording.
Guests will distract you and may sway your opinion of how the
music should sound. |
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Singers:
always bring water but don't use ice! Ice constricts your vocal chords. Hot tea with lemon and honey
works well to relax your vocal chords. (Our studio is equipped
with a small kitchen to help you stay refreshed!) |
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Determine
a band spokesperson ahead of time. An engineer getting five different opinions on how to mix will
grow tired and makes for a grumpy engineer. |
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Try
to lay down the song "live" (as a whole) with little punching
in for mistakes. Helps
during mixdown when you're
doing a "live" recording. (This doesn’t count
for added guitar lines, horn sections overdubs or vocal harmonies
sung by the lead singer) |
