How to Prepare For the Recording Studio

With all the possibilities of home recording, a lot of groups still opt to head for the recording studio. These days there are a lot of small, inexpensive, independent recording studios. A new group would do well to follow these tips on how to prepare for the recording studio.

To some business people this would seem so obvious as to not be worth mentioning, however with many musicians and particularly the young new groups, this aspect of preparation is often overlooked.

I recall working with a very young engineer at a small, local, independent recording studio. He was a very capable fellow, I was quite impressed with him. He was impressed by the fact that the bass player and I came in and just played right through the material, most songs with only one take. We were making a demo to take to a producer, not a recording for release. TiMi Studio Group

Sitting around chatting after burning the master, he began to share some of his recording experiences with me. Many came in totally unprepared. Some actually got into fights right there in the recording session. And some, in desperation to save face, would try to put the blame on the engineer. So you can see why someone who knows what they are doing and is prepared, is a pleasure to work with.

Putting that aside, just take a look at the financial side of the equation. How many takes is going to be necessary to get something decent, or is it even possible? It can just be a terrible waste of money. It is normally considered that young or new groups generally are low on cash too. What a waste!

So here is my advice. Prepare! Prepare! Prepare! And then prepare some more, before going into the studio. If you have the opportunity to perform the material before recording, that’s fantastic. Once you have performed material, you have gained a confidence that is hard to get anywhere else.

And remember, it takes a much higher level of confidence to record than to play with your friends in the basement. It is so easy when you’re just fooling around to overlook little goof ups, but once you’re in the studio, they’re recorded for all time. You can’t hide from yourself. Deep down you know whether you’re really ready or not! And if it’s not, well, how likely are you to get anything worthwhile out of the session?

If you’re serious about your music and think that you’ve got something good happening, give it half a chance. Be prepared before you walk into the studio. It takes a lot to get yourself relaxed enough in the studio to do anything near what you’re capable of doing. Being well prepared is a most positive step. By following these tips on how to prepare for the recording studio, you will be taking a powerful step in that direction. Get the most out of your recording session!

Gail Karen (G.K.) Eckert is a vocalist, musician, songwriter and teacher. She founded Musikhaus Studio of Creativity in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada in 1987 and continues to guide students through the crucial steps of learning to play and perform. She believes that anyone can learn to perform, given the proper guidance and encouragement. She also believes that playing your music, whether professionally or just for fun, is not only very enjoyable but is also crucial to self expression and well being.