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Dj Equipment and Samples  » Preparing For Your Recording Session

Preparing For Your Recording Session

Recording is a time-intensive experience, and problems that

arise often seem magnified. No one wants to wait for an hour

while the guitar player runs to Guitar Center for new strings.

So, to keep things going smoothly and efficiently, here are some

things to do in preparation:

1. Practice! You'd be surprised how many bands come into the

studio obviously unprepared. If you can't play through the song

without making mistakes, then you're not ready to record yet.

Take the time to practice the songs you want to track

thoroughly. This isn't to say that you can't be creative in the

studio, but it's a lot cheaper to be creative on your own time.

2. Make sure your songs are finished. Going into the studio

hoping to finish lyrics or parts on the spot is a recipe for

dissatisfaction. You may be inspired by the pressure, but you'll

inevitably listen back to it later on and think that you could

have sang it better, or that you don't especially like this line

or that phrase.

3. Record yourselves. It's very useful to record your practice

using a simple tape recorder. The finished product won't sound

very good, but you'll be able to hear if you're off time, or off

key. It may also make you aware that some parts of your song are

dragging, or that other parts could be extended or more

developed.

4. Get your gear in shape. Don't show up for a session that

you're paying for with gear that doesn't work, cables that cut

out, batteries that are going dead, or blown speakers. If you're

afraid that your gear is less than perfect, make some calls. You

engineer can point you to some people in town that rent gear on

a day-by-day basis, or to other musicians who might be willing

to loan an amp or cabinet for a day or two. It makes a

difference!

5. Tune your instrument. Drummers should put on new heads about

1 week before the session. The snare head should be replaced

immediately before the session, and if you're doing more than

one or two songs, consider bringing extra snare heads. Nothing

sounds as good on tape as a fresh snare head. Guitarists should

put a new set of strings on a few days before the session. Bring

extra strings, as you probably will break one or two. Bass

players can replace their strings, although new bass strings can

be a bit overly metallic. I recommend changing bass strings a

week or two before the session.

6. Let people know you're busy! You don't want to be called in

to work half-way through your session. Everyone involved needs

to clear their schedules. Nothing creates more tension in a

session than someone wanting to blow out early so they can hit

some party. Also, if you're recording at your home, make sure

your family knows about it. Take phones off the hook, recording

will require some degree of quiet. If you're working at your

practice space, make sure the neighbors know that you'll need

some quiet, if there are other bands at your facility, ask them

for their schedules, and work out a time when they won't be

playing in the next room.

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7. Have a plan. It's always better to have fewer songs to

finish, and to know precisely which songs you're trying to get

done. Often, once a session gets rolling, it's easy to just go

ahead and track some of the other songs you have. While this

isn't terrible, in my experience these tracks are usually

discarded, as they haven't been thoroughly practiced, and may

not even be complete.

9. Develop a vision. I like to come see a band before I record

them, just to get a feel for their sound, and develop my vision

for the session. If you envision your record sounding like the

latest MTV hit, you may be frustrated and disappointed. Your

band is unique, and my goal as an engineer is to find what's

best about your band and accent that. Your record may not sound

like anything that's come before, and trying to cram it into a

pre-existing notion of a "good recording" doesn't do it justice.

The Pixies didn't sound like anything that came before them, nor

does Modest Mouse, or the Beatles, for that matter.

8. Relax! Recording is fun, and there's really no pressure. Just

be prepared, and you'll have a smooth, enjoyable session with a

great product at the end!

About the author:

John McKay is the owner of Suitcase Recording, in Phoenix, AZ.

He has over 15 years of experience recording bands, from punk to

surf to indie to hardcore. He does the majority of his work on

location, at the artist's home or rehearsal space. He has also

performed in several bands, and has toured the US extensively.