10 Things to Do Before Going to a Professional Recording Studio

The ultimate recording experience will come to you only at a professional studio. Only there you will understand the format of professional recording, music, and the techniques that only Pros use. If you’re a musician or a voice-over artist, you must understand the fine techniques and importance of the studio.

But how can you improve its efficiency? Many people lose their time, money, and hard work as they make several silly mistakes. Most of them don’t even consider the mistakes and summon them as their routine. These mistakes are what limit their full efficiency. Correcting those mistakes will help you become more focused and a better result producer.

1. Set a Goal for Your Studio Appointment:

A studio appointment should be your final step in producing sound. This is where all your preparation must give you fruits. So if you’re setting up an appointment in a studio, be clear about what you want. You must be very specific about your goals and your step-by-step actions in the coming appointment. Before you visit a studio understand the following.

– What are you going to record in the studio?

– How many songs or tracks are you going to record?

– The motivation for recording tracks in Studio?

– Which platform are you looking to release the tracks on?

– How does studio recording help you take your career forward?

2. Prepare Your Writing:

Only a fool will go to the studio without hardcopy writing. Your recording can go up only when you know what to say and how to say it. A half-written song, a half-written script, and a half-written copy are not going to help. Writing a copy or song or script there will only waste your time there and it will cost you more money. Additionally, there you will be under pressure to complete the work urgently and yes, we believe that pressure kills creativity.

Before you go to the studio, write everything on paper. Revisiting the document twice will help you correct all missed issues in your writing.

3. Check Your Equipment:

Before you land in a studio, you must check all your equipment there. Failing to do so, you may face an issue of replacement or hiring a technical engineer. Without a doubt hiring service or replacing your amplifier is very expensive. You can avoid this situation by cross-checking your devices before reaching the studio.

4. Have a Backup:

Suppose you created all your tracks, music elements, and writing. Only the recording is left but a malfunction in your laptop destroys your complete work. It’s a total loss for you if you have put your heart into creating tracks

Make at least two backups to avoid it. In the worst-case scenario, make three for three different purposes. 1. On a DVD, in case your computer fails you. 2. One at home in case some unwanted incident happens before you arrive at the studio, and 3. One on the internet as the lifesaver backup.

5. Bounce Down:

Studio equipment may not support your home working setup. You must not assume this either. In such a case, bounce to audio all tracks that are dependent on the software instruments or effects. This will make your tracks compatible with both your home setup and studio setup.

6. Get Emergency Food:

Often you may have to travel long distances to reach the studio. While several studios offer a canteen service, many others don’t. Missing your lunch or snacks will limit your work efficiency. If you live in a warm country, it can lead you to fatigue, low hydration, and fainting.

Whenever you’re going to a studio for recording, make sure to take food with you. Taking a nutritious lunch box will keep you full and energetic all the time.

7. Practice before You Perform:

You have written the sound. Well done, now practice them as much as you can. Practicing the written lines makes you feel them. Say those lines repeatedly and you will see a change as you speak them. The voice modulation, feelings, natural instincts- all will come thoroughly.

The practice doesn’t end with you only. See whether your team has practiced it or not. Each one of your team must play their part perfectly to the best of their capabilities. Only then it would become a masterpiece.

8. Research about the Studio:

Popular or not, before going to a studio for recording, cross-check their services for your research. Understand their previous work and their reputation in the market. Are they come under your budget? Are they serving food at their place? What types of songs do you want to record there? Would you need to hire additional equipment than what the studio offers to you? Find out about the DAW you’ll use and the engineer there to assist you on the spot.

9. Don’t Record & Mix on the Same Day:

Though this is optional, we suggest everyone not record and mix on the same very day. Both the work needs full attention and each process will suck your energy. Your ears will be too tired to listen to the tracks with concentration. And we feel no need to describe what would happen in such conditions. The best option is to book the studio on a separate day for the mix. Obviously, it will cost you money (probably an expensive amount) so check your budget too.

10. Aim for Excellence:

Last, but not the least, you must always look for the best results you can produce. Gear up your equipment, motivate your team, practice, and give your best on the recording. Your success should make a noise out there.

Conclusion:

Most people know how important it is to go to a recording studio but that’s not all. Pros know that the studio enhances your abilities but creates them. The place is only for giving you an environment, the right equipment, and some assistance to produce your work at best. But your real work starts way before that. This article sheds light on important things you must do before going to a studio. Follow them all and feel the difference instantly.