Distrophonix Blog

How To Get The Most Out of Studio Sessions:

Having well planned recording time is as important as having solid and disciplined band practices, sometimes even more because in the studio what you play is what will be heard over and over and OVER again. A lot of people may feel a form of mild (or less mild) anxiety about being in the booth, while some may think that it’s no big deal and they are going to knock out a whole EP in one day. No matter how you feel about it, it is important to go into the studio with a well rehearsed schedule that is ready to be executed.

1. Practice and Plan The Songs

Don’t go with a whole bunch of songs in mind and choose which one seems best, practice one song until it’s consistent to the slightest degree and then keep practicing. Try to do all the bad takes at home where it is free to practice the same solo for an hour.
Another aspect of this is to not try and over do it in the studio and waste your time going for that note you should’ve practiced for. Furthermore, keep in mind that unless it’s a solo album it is not YOUR album, let the band mates have a say in how the song is produced before the same track is heard countless times and drives you crazy for not saying something in the studio or poorly planning the trip.

2. Manage the Time You’re Paying For

Time is vital in the studio for most of us, so try to make the most out of everyone’s time while maintaining the quality you are paying for. Don’t get so caught up in getting everything down so quick that the recordings aren’t even worth the effort. If you just can’t hit that high note today and have other sessions booked, it may be best to just give it another try later, don’t be afraid to come back and put finishing touches on songs instead trying to finish everything completely and move on, your motivation may just go against itself in this counterproductive trap.

Between sessions give the songs a decent amounts of listens, all the way through and with different people to give input. You can feel if someone thought a note was sour that you had overlooked, do this on your own time instead of trying to figure out the song while you are on the clock.

3. Be Professional

Have the money you need, show up on time, consider traffic, consider loading in, consider setting up drums, consider everything that may eat up your time. A studio may let you go a little over if you were at a late start but definitely not if they have someone booked after you. Just remember it is a business and should be treated seriously. Bring tuners and constantly tune your instruments. Don’t party all night the night before a session.

To all the Rockstar vocalists and aspiring rappers out there, don’t do anything that will mess up your voice before the session, it is important that your delivery is clear because you will have the spotlight 9 times out of 10 and no one wants to be one of the groups where people say, “The Music is great but I hate their singer”. The Vocals are very essential to the final product and should be taken for seriously (but don’t sound like a robot either, remember you want people to feel it not just understand it).

4. Drum tracks 

Rock Groups be ready to lay down the drum tracks first because that’s what will most likely happen. To all the drummers reading this, have the songs memorized by yourself without the band and with a metronome. Have each fill rehearsed and sounding clean so that time isn’t wasted trying to show off for the record. Make sure your drums are tuned and that everything is adjusted, don’t use that shattered china cymbal that sounds like a trash can, try and borrow one from another fellow drummer because these sounds will be heard over and over again and we don’t want to make the mistake Metallica made in their choice of snare drum on “St. Anger”.

5. Do More Than One Take

So everything is practiced and to the dot, you go into the booth and the first take seems perfect. Unless it is a very simple part you’ve done countless times than just do it again. There is a difference between “Good” and “Good Enough”. Don’t feel so constrained on time that your whole project seems like a well recorded demo. Do multiple takes to ensure that the finished project is as perfect as it can be but still remember that you are limited for time. You may even save time in the long run by not having to redo anything once a song is almost finished, don’t get caught up on songs but still take your time to an extent.

6. Don’t Too Stressed

Whatever it is that helps you get into your zone whether it’s meditating, listening to Brian Eno or watching paint dry, take some time before the session and do it. Come in with a motivated and realistic sequence of events in mind and go at it. Remain comfortable and on topic because time flies while recording and lots of time and money can be wasted in the booth if it is not treated as seriously as it should be.