How to Prepare for the Studio

A professional recording studio can be an intimidating environment, especially for young bands who have never recorded before. But there’s a few easy things you can do to make the experience go smoothly. Let’s take a look at how to prepare for the studio from Stages Music Arts. 

Rehearse and Know Your Parts

You’re paying for studio time, so you want to make the best use of it, right? The No. 1 thing an artist or band should do is rehearse the songs they plan to record … a lot. The songs and the individual parts should become second nature so time isn’t wasted in the studio having to do too many takes or relearn parts.

Demo Your Songs

Using whatever home recording equipment you have, record the songs you plan to record in the studio. You can listen back to the recordings, analyze them and make any necessary changes – find weak points that should be worked on, and rewrite or rearrange parts.

Setup Your Instruments

You want the recording to sound as great as it possibly can, so your equipment needs to be up to the task. Restring and intonate your guitars, replace old drum heads and tune the drums, make sure amps and pedals are working properly, and perform whatever other maintenance your instrument may require.

Be Rested

You want to play and sing your best in the studio, so be sure to get a good night’s rest before going into the studio, and maintain a good sleep schedule if your session stretches over multiple days. Being well-rested can help ensure you’re performing at the peak of your ability.

Be Organized

Go to the studio with a plan. Know what songs you want to record and in what order, know what you want to record live and what you want to overdub. You may have a limited amount of time in the studio, and staying organized will help you make the best of that time.

With these tips, you can have a comfortable experience in the studio and make a great recording!