What to Expect for Your First Studio Session
Recording is such an exciting part of the music-making process! You’ve worked hard to create your songs, and hearing them come to life can be so magical! Now that you are ready for your first studio session, there are some things you need to know!
It’s normal to have a lot of questions before your first studio session. While every session is different (depending on the artist, songs, studio, engineer, producer, and musicians), we are here to help you enter that studio more confident, so you can leave feeling excited about what you create!
Before You Go
Usually, you begin by visiting the studio and meeting with the producer and/or sound engineer. The producer oversees and directs the whole project, while the sound engineer does the recording and editing. Sometimes these are the same person. If you have a separate producer and engineer, it’s helpful if they have worked together in the past. You can also choose to be your own producer!
When you meet with them, you’ll discuss your project, and see if they are a good fit for you. What is their experience level? Do you feel like they are listening to you? Can they describe the sound you want, and do you feel confident that they can create it? Most of all, do you feel excited to work with them? If they make you feel intimidated or nervous, they might not be the best choice.
It helps to do some homework before this meeting. Put together a playlist of songs that have the kind of sound you want. Not just artists, but specific songs. Pay attention to why you like the songs, and be specific about elements you like and dislike.
Do you want to hear more acoustic instruments, or electronic? Do you like the style of the drums? What do you notice about the dynamics, and the volume or effects of the vocals?
Make sure to communicate your budget. A good producer/engineer (whoever is in charge of your project) can work with your budget and create something great. If you don’t tell them, you will probably end up spending much more than you wanted to. You will most likely be paying the producer, sound engineer, musicians, and studio for their time.
In this meeting, you can also make a plan for your recording session(s). Usually, studios charge by the hour, so it is best to record songs in groups if you are doing more than one. Every studio and situation is different, but we typically record three songs at a time. This takes 1-2 sessions.
The Scratch Track
First, you will record a “scratch track,” usually with just guitar/piano (or a few other key instruments) and one vocal. This is the point where you decide the tempo of the song and lay out the structure. This track does NOT need to be perfect, so you don’t need to spend too much time on it. This is like the sketch under a painting – it gives the musicians a reference to work with. The basic things like tempo, chords, and lyrics need to be correct, but nobody will hear this recording in the final mix.
Studio Musicians
After you have the scratch track done, it’s time for the studio musicians to come in and work their magic! You might be playing your own instrument(s) along with them. Usually the drums, guitar, and bass are laid down first, and then other filler instruments. This part can go pretty quick, which is why it is important to:
Be clear about what you want.
If you are the artist, you probably have a “vision” (whatever that is in sound terms) for the way you want your song to turn out.
Remember that the musicians, sound engineer, and producer are not mind-readers. They all come from different backgrounds and have different tastes in music. They are talented, and it is good to make room for their ideas and suggestions, but it is important to communicate what you want. Most of the time they are happy to make adjustments to what they’re doing. After all, that is the benefit of hiring skilled and flexible musicians!
We know from experience – the last thing you want to do is spend your valuable time, energy, and money only to come home with a recording you’re not happy with! Praise what you like, and don’t be afraid to speak up if you don’t like where the song is going. Sometimes it only takes a quick change to make a big difference, and you’ll be so glad you said something.
Find what works for you
Your first studio session might feel like a bit of an experiment. Do you like the headphones on both ears, or do you prefer one ear off? Do you like the click track to be loud or soft? Do you perform better barefoot? With your eyes closed? Standing or sitting? Do you need to do hand motions?
I can’t give you answers to these things, because they really are different for everyone. As long as you stay the right distance from the microphone and don’t make extra noises, there is no right or wrong way to record.
When we recorded our song “Firecracker Red,” my sister Maddie sung the chorus while punching the air in front of her. Some of these things sound silly, but feel free to switch things up until you feel comfortable and confident. Don’t worry about looking “weird.” Nobody is judging you – you are the artist and they want you to do your best!
Come Prepared
Most studios charge by the hour, so you don’t want to waste any time on something you could have done at home. It’s always OK to try different riffs in the studio to see what sounds good with the arrangement, but you’ll get the most out of your time and money if you come in with confidence.
Be Patient
Even when you do come prepared, you may be asked to record multiple takes of a certain part. Some engineers like to get a LOT of takes of the same part, while some can work with just a few. We’ve worked with many different engineers, and prefer the ones who use our “real” takes rather than waiting for the “perfect” one. That also depends on your style though!
We have also found that you can lose the emotion after singing or playing the same part over and over again. So if that starts to happen, you can always move on to a different part and come back to it with new energy later. Or, after giving it some space, you might just find that one of your previous takes did the trick!
Stay Positive
A good mindset can make or break your studio session. Try to come well rested, prepared, and on time!
Bring a positive (not critical) friend or family member to cheer you on. This can make a big difference! Just avoid bringing too many people – having a lot of different opinions can make things difficult.
Try not to stress too much about little things – if you have a good attitude, you will have a good experience, and you will be much happier with the result!
Foster Good Relationships
It is SO important to feel comfortable with everyone in the studio! You probably won’t get to choose every musician, but do everything in your power to find people who understand you and who you work well with. Bonus points if they have a good sense of humor for those long studio days!
If you get to be in the studio when the tracks are being created, you will probably be meeting a lot of people for the first time. It is always a good idea to bring snacks to share – everyone will appreciate it, and it will help you get to know each other better! Do your best to create good vibes, and it will translate into the music!
Treat everyone you meet in the studio with respect. For all you know, the most humble-looking person might be an grammy award winner. But no matter who they are, there is a high chance you will work with them again (or at least cross paths with them again) in your musical journey. Networking is huge as a musician, and you want to make sure to keep your relationships positive!
Final Mix
When you’re done recording, the producer and/or engineer will send you a mix of your song(s). Listen closely, and let a few other people listen as well. Then be specific about what you want to change! Remember you will still be paying for the time spent to edit the song, but usually edits can be done quickly, and they’re worth it if they need to be done!
When the edits are complete, you will be sent the mastered mix. You did it!! Congratulations on a successful first studio session!
Leave a comment with any other questions you have about your first recording session – we’d love to help you out!