Preparing for a Studio Session

The time has finally come to head to your first studio session to record your first album with your band, and you're wondering how you might prepare for that. I'll try to explain what to expect at your first studio session. Obviously, the way it's done may be a little different between each studio, but overall, it will be pretty much the same process.

1. Preparing your Instrument

One of the first things to think about before going to the studio to record is to take stock of the sounds used for each song. The goal here is to save time when you get there because a studio session is relatively expensive. Make a note of the effects used for each track according to the parts played, the solos or others. You will save precious time. If you change your guitar for each track, write it down too. Remember to tune your instrument properly before recording and change the strings if necessary.You are now ready to record your compositions in an ideal environment. 

2. The recording of titles

The way to record in a studio can vary depending on the band and the style of music you are going to record. Indeed, a symphonic orchestra is not recorded in the same way as a jazz or progressive rock band. If you play rock or jazz, it may be best to record the whole band at the same time, because for these styles of music, it is important to keep the energy generated by the musicians playing together in the same room. By using this process, you get that extra touch that will give your project an authentic feel, and that's the whole point in jazz and rock.If you play a variety of music where the musicians must be very precise and very "straight" in their approach to rhythmic placement, you will record separately and in turn in a studio booth. This way of recording is the most common because it allows the sound engineer to offer a real mix of very high quality. Each track of each instrument is then reworked and processed to optimize the rendering and the quality of the sound.Most of the time, the bass player and the drummer start the recordings because it allows you to have the rhythmic background of the song and then record the melody. Finally, the singer will finish the work by recording the voice on each track.

3. Balance Sheet

Make sure you are ready and know the songs by heart before going to the studio, your equipment must also be operational in order to be as efficient as possible. This will save a lot of time. Plan a set of extra rope to be able to deal with all eventualities. In the studio, it is quite possible to play with the help of a score, nobody is watching you and it is not necessary to play the showman.