10 Tips For A Great Studio Experience

There’s nothing like hearing your music come to life in the studio. However, there are some common pitfalls that can make your studio experience stressful, expensive, or disorganized. These tips will help you avoid those pitfalls and set you up for the incredible studio experience that you deserve.

1 - Finalize the lyrics and song structure before recording.

If you have to stop and rework the song during a session, you risk losing the creative flow, paying for unnecessary studio time, and having to backtrack over the progress you’ve made.

2 - Find the right studio for you.

This is not a one-size-fits-all industry. There are many studios to choose from, and some specialize in different genres. So if you want the best experience, take the time to shop around! Meet a few engineers, check out their studios, and get a vibe for how well you would work together. You’ll have an incredible experience if you work with a studio that’s passionate about your unique sound.

3 - Practice, practice, practice.

Practice playing your song with a metronome so you can record at an even tempo. If you’re in a band, each member should be able to play their part alone. The more polished you are when you come into the studio, the smoother (and less expensive) your experience will be.

4 - Have some reference tracks.

If possible, give the engineer or producer multiple examples of what you’d like your finished song to sound like. Knowing where you want to end up will make your time in the studio more productive and focused, and will help you avoid excessive revisions later on.

5 - Prepare your instrument.

If there’s ever a time when you want your instrument to sound its best, it’s in the studio. New strings and fresh drumheads will help you get a clean, professional sound. Vocalists should be well rested. Drink water and avoid caffeine before the session to stay hydrated.

6 - Talk about money before the session.

Money is the most common stressor on creative projects, so handle conversations about payment policies and budgets before beginning. That will make it easier to focus on the creative process and enjoy the experience.

7 - Have priorities in mind for your session.

If you’re familiar with the studio process, try to make a list of what you’d like to accomplish during your session. Don’t worry about following a schedule perfectly, but be organized and have a plan. It will save you time and money.

8 - Be confident.

The best recordings happen when the artist gives a confident, energetic performance. The engineer and all the equipment in the studio is there to help you sound your best. So have fun, and be confident in yourself. If you struggle with imposter syndrome, you’re in very good company. Remember that your art is valuable because it’s made by YOU.

9 - Listen on different platforms.

When you get a mix, listen to it through as many different speakers and headphones as you can. Every listening platform will sound a little different, and it’s important to hear how your music translates across them. If you hear a problem across multiple speakers, you know it’s a good thing to adjust in the mix.

10 - Give yourself plenty of time.

If your project has a set deadline (such as a holiday), get into the studio as soon as possible. For all other projects, I usually suggest that an artist shouldn’t announce a release date until the project is nearly or even entirely finished. There are often unexpected delays, and it’s a lose-lose if you have to either move your release date or rush the project to meet an arbitrary deadline. The best case scenario is to finish the project earlier than you expected, and have plenty of time to market the release. “If you want to release a Christmas album, start in March.” - Abraham Lincoln, probably.