Recording in a studio for the first time can be overwhelming. Fortunately, we’ve put together a list of expert tips to help prepare you for your session.

1. Rehearse

The importance of this cannot be overstated. Practicing will not only allow you to touch up your performance ahead of time, you’ll have a better idea of how much time is needed to record your project. Several studios also offer rehearsal rooms within their facilities for booking. Record a rough copy of your track to get a clear picture of the songs layout if you can. Many performers find it helpful to bring these demos with them to the studio for reference.

2. Budget

Consider how much money you can reasonably spend recording your project; this will depend primarily on the amount of time needed to record everything to your satisfaction. At this stage in your career, there’s no need to feel obligated to rent a state of the art studio. Be sure to factor in any related expenses such as performances, marketing and advertising.

3. Make A Plan

To optimize your experience, it helps to discuss things ahead of time with the engineer. Provide details such as the number of songs and performers you want to record, as well as the instruments (or instrumentals) you’ll use. Share any specific requests for mic’ing beforehand to ensure they’re capable of accommodating your session. Set a time for your features to come in and ask them to come a bit early for prep, but don’t wait long if they’re late; make sure you have plans in case anyone flops.

4. Pace Yourself 

Although it’s important to be efficient with your time, be patient and only settle for your best. If you find things aren’t going well, take a short break and regroup. Be careful not to work yourself to the point of fatigue too quickly in order to get the best out of every minute. Building vocal endurance during practice will provide you the strength you need to perform for longer durations.

5. Be Realistic

On the contrary, if you’re aiming for perfection you might die trying. Treat your first time as a learning experience. As a recommendation, only plan to record 1-2 songs during your first session. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re confused about the process or how things work and trust in their expertise. If the engineer is noticeably irritated, it might be worth it to consider working with someone else in the future. The important thing is to do your best and have fun.

6. Stay Sober

From experience, this is where a lot of time is wasted in the studio. One too many and your performance will likely start to suffer. That isn’t to say a good high won’t calm your nerves, but anything more than a buzz can significantly degrade the quality of your performance. Worst case scenario, someone could end up damaging something. Point is, there’s no harm in being careful and responsible when you’re in the studio.