What to expect at your recording session
When you arrive for your session you can expect to spend a little time chatting through the plan for time. Keep your focus on what the goal for that session is.
The sound engineer will tell you where to stand or sit and you will set up your instrument. Microphones will be placed around you. You will be asked to play and sound check those placements. Depending on how the sound is getting captured, the microphones may be adjusted a few times.
Once a good quality of sound is getting captured you will start actually tracking your takes. After everything is captured you'll move on to the next track planned in the session. Even if a song is only a few minutes long, recording each track takes much longer because you will play it multiple times to get a final take captured that is a perfect as possible.
The sound engineer will tell you where to stand or sit and you will set up your instrument. Microphones will be placed around you. You will be asked to play and sound check those placements. Depending on how the sound is getting captured, the microphones may be adjusted a few times.
Once a good quality of sound is getting captured you will start actually tracking your takes. After everything is captured you'll move on to the next track planned in the session. Even if a song is only a few minutes long, recording each track takes much longer because you will play it multiple times to get a final take captured that is a perfect as possible.
Tips for a successful recording session
Recording music can be exciting, challenging, fun, and frustrating. Here are some tips for having a successful and productive session.
Prepare your music before you get there
The recording session itself is not a great time to be learning your part. While there may be some changes made to arrangements, or opportunities to be creative in sections, it's usually best to have your part down cold. This not only helps with nerves but makes the time in the studio much more productive and efficient.
Be prepared for a lot of stops and starts
Doing a studio recording often involves a lot of stopping and starting. When you first arrive, for example, the sound engineer will take levels and place microphones. During this process, you will sound check your instrument potentially multiple times. You may play through a song all the way through multiple times and then be asked to "punch in" small sections.
Because of all this stopping and starting, it's best to try to stay relaxed but focused on the task at hand. Keep conversations with others in the room to a minimum. Even when you aren't playing there is often work being done. In those breaks when the producer is listening to see what else is needed in the take try stretching or having a sip of water. It's important to keep your focus.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
Because recording can be meticulous it can make us become more tense in our bodies. You're trying to get a take as perfect as possible! Come to the session in clothing and shoes that can help you feel comfortable and relaxed. Take deep belly breaths between takes. Shake out the nerves when you can.
Come to the session well-nourished (and bring snacks)
You want to be at your best ability to focus. Having the "hangries" kick in mid-session will not help the process. Make sure to eat a good meal or do whatever prep you need to feel high energy going into the studio. Bring beverages and snacks that can help regulate your energy as well. And be careful of too much caffeine. It can cause shakiness.
Listen objectively
A recording session puts every sound under the microscope. If you haven't listened this critically to your own playing or singing before it can feel strange or even frustrating to hear a raw take played back. Remember though, the goal is a whole recording. It will go through a mixing and mastering process. You'll have multiple opportunities to get a take that is "free from flaws." Listen to the takes as objectively as you can. Try to notice the parts that are working even as you diagnose the errors that need to be addressed.
A recording session can be a great learning opportunity to zoom in on your playing. Stay open to that opportunity and remember that there is a bigger picture than just the raw take.
Have a good time
You're in the studio because you love music. You're in the studio because you have something important to contribute to the whole work. You're in the studio because you've worked and prepared music that you believe is worth sharing. Have a good time with that. The people that are in the studio with you also believe that recording your music is important and exciting. They're on your side and are cheering you on.
See you in the studio!
Prepare your music before you get there
The recording session itself is not a great time to be learning your part. While there may be some changes made to arrangements, or opportunities to be creative in sections, it's usually best to have your part down cold. This not only helps with nerves but makes the time in the studio much more productive and efficient.
Be prepared for a lot of stops and starts
Doing a studio recording often involves a lot of stopping and starting. When you first arrive, for example, the sound engineer will take levels and place microphones. During this process, you will sound check your instrument potentially multiple times. You may play through a song all the way through multiple times and then be asked to "punch in" small sections.
Because of all this stopping and starting, it's best to try to stay relaxed but focused on the task at hand. Keep conversations with others in the room to a minimum. Even when you aren't playing there is often work being done. In those breaks when the producer is listening to see what else is needed in the take try stretching or having a sip of water. It's important to keep your focus.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
Because recording can be meticulous it can make us become more tense in our bodies. You're trying to get a take as perfect as possible! Come to the session in clothing and shoes that can help you feel comfortable and relaxed. Take deep belly breaths between takes. Shake out the nerves when you can.
Come to the session well-nourished (and bring snacks)
You want to be at your best ability to focus. Having the "hangries" kick in mid-session will not help the process. Make sure to eat a good meal or do whatever prep you need to feel high energy going into the studio. Bring beverages and snacks that can help regulate your energy as well. And be careful of too much caffeine. It can cause shakiness.
Listen objectively
A recording session puts every sound under the microscope. If you haven't listened this critically to your own playing or singing before it can feel strange or even frustrating to hear a raw take played back. Remember though, the goal is a whole recording. It will go through a mixing and mastering process. You'll have multiple opportunities to get a take that is "free from flaws." Listen to the takes as objectively as you can. Try to notice the parts that are working even as you diagnose the errors that need to be addressed.
A recording session can be a great learning opportunity to zoom in on your playing. Stay open to that opportunity and remember that there is a bigger picture than just the raw take.
Have a good time
You're in the studio because you love music. You're in the studio because you have something important to contribute to the whole work. You're in the studio because you've worked and prepared music that you believe is worth sharing. Have a good time with that. The people that are in the studio with you also believe that recording your music is important and exciting. They're on your side and are cheering you on.
See you in the studio!