If you and your band have been together for a while you might have started thinking about going into the studio to record your strongest song or even make your first album. To save you time and money if this is your first experience, here are 9 things you should know before you go into a recording studio.
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Stick To Your Budget
It can be easy to run over budget in the studio, but this could leave you with a huge bill at the end of your time. It is best to make sure that you agree on a budget with the studio before you start recording and don’t allow yourself to overspend.
Shop around to make sure you get the best value for money. This does not necessarily mean that you have to use the cheapest studio as you will get what you pay for. Find a recording studio near you like LA Silver Lake studios that has a good reputation and the type of recording equipment you want to use. Pirate uses state-of-the-art technology and charge affordable prices. They have many years of experience and they have built up a fantastic reputation in the local area.
Be Prepared
To save yourself a lot of hassle, don’t go into the studio until you are ready. Some bands try to rush this process and then wing it by deciding on chords or even how the song should end while they are there. These are the bands that end up spending a lot more than they need to because playing around with songs takes time that has to be paid for. Either that or they end up throwing something together to beat the clock and it doesn’t sound as good as it could.
Make sure that the song sounds as good as it should before you go into the studio. Not only will this save you a heap of money but it will also make you look professional.
Do Some Homework
Although it is always advisable to use a professional recording studio, that doesn’t mean that you need to totally neglect your home studio. The music you have recorded at home can be a handy reference tool when you go into the studio. It will give the sound engineer an idea of what you are trying to achieve, remind you of what you want to include in your recording, and hopefully save you some time in the studio.
Consult With Your Engineer
The sound engineer will have a lot of recording experience and they will be able to guide you on the best way to record. There are many different recording methods, and your sound engineer will be able to advise you on the right method for the sound you want to create. Make a plan with your engineer as soon as you go into the studio, as this will save you a lot of time.
Don’t Be Too Set In Your Ways
Having a plan will save you time and money but being too set in your ways will stop the creative juices from flowing and could mean that you miss a great idea. Don’t be afraid to use your studio time constructively. There is no such thing as how to make a record, as there are so many different options, so if option B sounds better than option A then go with it. Spontaneity can add new depths to your recording.
Don’t Procrastinate
Time is money in the studio. Going with your gut instinct can save you a lot more time than procrastinating over a decision. Flip a coin or go with the majority vote if you are part of a band. There may be decisions to make that you had not even considered before.
Be Professional
There are many rock legends about bands getting totally wrecked on drink or drugs when trying to record an album. However, the reality is that this is one of the quickest ways to get yourself and your band a reputation for being unprofessional. Not to mention the expense as you will most likely have to record the whole thing again once you have sobered up.
The studio is a great place to make contacts that will help you to build a career in the music business and often the people you know will help you to get further than you could on raw talent alone. Don’t wreck your reputation before you have even started by getting wasted on your first trip to the studio.
Don’t Invite A Lot of Hangers-On
Everyone needs a little comfort and hand holding once in a while but if the studio gets too crowded this can hinder your success rather than help it. Keeping focused and concentrating are going to get the job done a lot better and faster than throwing a party in the studio.
Too many hangers-on will put you and your band off what you are trying to achieve. It could also stop the sound engineer from doing their job properly, as there will be a lot of background noise and it can stop you from looking professional.
Throwing a party to celebrate your first trip to the studio is a great idea but hold it after you have completed your studio work and you can raise a glass to a job well done.
Stay Positive
Things may not be as perfect as you expected them to be once you get into the studio. You could realize you are more nervous than you thought, you could have clumsy fingers or break a guitar string at a crucial moment. Don’t get put off by this. It is a fantastic learning experience if you want it to be and it could even enhance your recording.
These are the most important things to think about before you go into the recording studio. Follow this guide and you will save time and money as well as a fantastic end product. Enjoy the experience and remember that there is a first time for everything.
