Three ways to prepare yourself for a day in the Studio
We are going to keep this short and sweet! Let’s get right to it.
Take into consideration who you are bringing with you into the studio and why.
This is our number one point. Whoever you bring with you into the studio can really make or break the day!
First off, some people want a support system with them on their recording day. We typically tell our clients to bring in one or two people who they trust, and who understand the recording process. The less people in the studio, the better. Too many opinions can lead to disagreements, and it wastes time and your money. Make sure every single person who comes along with you is aware that you call the final shots.
Secondly, multiple people can cause distractions, or noise during recording takes, resulting in wasted time and wasted money. We find that singers, and musicians, can sometimes feel anxious, nervous or feel an immense amount of pressure in front of too many people. We always want our clients to feel relaxed enough to make a mistake, and feel confident enough to try out new ideas on the fly without feeling judged.
We suggest to bring a manager, friend, or family member that is supportive, can capture some social media posts for you.
2. Finalize lyrics and rehearse your band before hand.
It is imperative that your entire band knows their parts like the back of their hand, and that every player feels confident enough to improvise. Too many times we’ve seen singers bring in their own band that was completely under prepared. Your rhythm guitar player should know every chord change, and be well versed enough to change a chord on the fly. Your backup vocalists should be able to hear new vocal harmonies and parts on the spot. Your lead guitar player should have three or four solos completely practiced and figured out before hand, and be able to improvise on those solos on the day of.
If your band is not prepared, it will cost you money. ALSO - No matter HOW strong your band is, make sure they can all play to a metronome.
It can be worth your money to hire a session musician, so as not to waste time with a band member who might not be as quick, skilled or practiced. We can’t stress this enough - being in the studio is not the same as performing live. There are studio cats who have worked in the studio for years and know how to get the proper sound for you. Our producer, Grady James is confident in most instruments, which can save you time and money. Feel free to contact us for connections to amazing studio musicians, or to set up a call with our producer!
3. Make sure you’ve found the right fit.
It is truly a big decision taking your music into a studio. Before you head into the studio be absolutely sure that the team you are working with is producing music that you love. Take the time to research your producer, engineer, and studio. Listen to examples of their work, read testimonials, talk to the producer. Make sure that it feels right. If you don’t vibe with the team, it’ll be hard to feel comfortable in the studio. Research, research, research and take the time to ask questions. If it is a great studio, they will be happy to take the time to make you feel confident, and comfortable.
If you’d like to get to know Studio45b a little better, please set up a free consultation phone call today to see if we are the right fit!
***Written by Danielle Todd***