Tips for the Recording Session

Once you get in the studio, you want to make the best recording you can. Here are some tips on thing you can do maximize the recording process. Be sure to check out the tips before arriving at the studio.

(1) Keep your instruments in tune. Use an electronic tuner before every take. (You don't want to nail a perfect performance only to discover your B string was out of tune.) Not only guitars, basses, and strings need tuning, but drums should also be tuned up before the recording session begins.

(2) Drummers should consider arriving earlier than the rest of the band. It takes time to set up a drum kit and get the mics set up properly.

(3) Use equipment you're familiar with. Even if your cousin has a brand new $5,000 guitar, it won't sound much better than your current guitar if you're not used to playing it.

(4) Don't stop playing every time you make a mistake. If you do, you'll spend all day trying to create a perfect track. It is much easier to overdub or replace the error (punch in) after the track is recorded.

(5) Don't use a lot of effects (such as EQ and reverb) while recording. It is better to record the tracks "dry" and add the effects later. Effects are easy to add, but nearly impossible to remove. And vocalists usually can hear the pitch better with a dry signal.

(6) Keep it simple. Too often people want to fill up numerous tracks with sound. They end up with a poor sounding mish-mash. Listen to your favorite CD. You can easily pick out the vocals, drums, guitars, and other instruments. If you can't do that with your recording, you probably have too many tracks muddling up the sound.

(6) Double-tracking can be a nice effect, but overuse it and it becomes boring. Consider double tracking the vocal for the chorus only.

(7) Always get the sound you want while recording. If someone says, "We can fix it in the mix," don't believe it.

(8) Make the studio comfortable. Bring snacks if you like. The vocalist should drink plenty of water, but not too cold. Ice water can restrict the vocal cords and make it more difficult to hit those high notes. Consider drinking hot tea with lemon and honey.

(9) Have a professional attitude. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. These substances inhibit coordination and memory, affect your hearing, and impact your perception of pitch and tempo. You may sound better to yourself, but not to anyone else.

(10) Appoint someone to be the spokesman. You can bring a producer or you can nominate a member of the band to be the decision maker. It's alright for everyone to chip in with ideas, but if no one is in charge, things can rapidly degrade into arguments or ego battles. You want to keep the studio atmosphere relaxed and creative.

(11) Take occasional breaks to relieve ear fatigue. After a little quiet time, you may pick up things you weren't able to hear before.

(12) Know when to quit for the day. If you are tired, you will not be giving your best performance and it will show in your final product.

These are some of the tips to help you make the most of your recording session. Be sure to check out the tips before arriving at the studio.

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