Are you a musician who has made that all-important step forward and booked yourself time in a recording studio for your first ever session? It’s a huge step, and one to feel proud and excited about, but at the same time, you want to be sure you make the most of the opportunity and show up prepared and ready to work, and be creative.
To help you better understand what your experience will be like in a recording studio, allowing you to plan appropriately, let’s break down exactly how things work.
Be Clear on What the Booking Entails
Before making any sort of booking at a recording studio, it’s important to determine what exactly a booking includes. Will you have self-service access to equipment? What is the quality of the equipment? Do you have to pay a premium to use the equipment? What is the length of time of your booking? What about a space for production, writing, and editing? Is there a vocal booth? These are just some of the things you’ll want to investigate before you make any sort of booking. It ensures that you’re getting what you need, and that you’re getting your money’s worth. It also helps you to narrow down the options and pick the ideal recording studio for you.
For many artists, the best recording studio is the one you can write and produce music in, and take advantage of day rates. These are all the features that Pirate Studio in Brooklyn offers musicians, giving them the tools and the flexibility that they need to make music happen and feed their art. These Brooklyn recording studios are well-known in the industry and have a very strong and respected reputation.
Chat with Your Producer/Engineer in Advance and Have a Plan
Because time is of the essence, you’ll want to head into the experience expecting to get to work the moment you step foot in the studio. Artists are recommended to speak with their producer/engineer in advance and have a plan on what to accomplish in the session.
For musicians, the idea of having a schedule or a plan can seem a bit stifling and doesn’t allow for that natural organic flow, but here’s the thing – you’re on the clock, so forming those creative thoughts and visions in advance can definitely help the session to be more successful.
Make Sure Your Gear is In Good Condition and Ready to Be Used
Because you want to get started right away, it’s also wise to tune up your gear ahead of time and make sure everything is working properly. You could even do a little practice run before you head out to the recording studio, thereby eliminating the need to do so when you arrive.
If you require a lot of gear, make sure you take the time to go over everything you have packed, making sure nothing has been forgotten. Making a list of items you want to take with you can help to alleviate some of the stress. It ensures nothing gets forgotten in the rush of the moment.
Keep the Head Count to a Minimum
While it may be tempting to bring along all kinds of friends to help you out, the fact is that you don’t want the studio to be too crowded and to get too hectic. Try to keep the bodies to a minimum and just bring the people you need to help you make your music. If a person doesn’t add to the process and have a job to do, then they probably aren’t needed in the studio.
The last thing you want is to be distracted while you’re in the recording studio trying to accomplish your music goals.
Don’t Be Afraid to Step Outside the Box
Once you are in the studio and you see all the equipment before you, don’t be afraid to experiment. You can step outside your box, try a different set-up, make small adjustments, and just allow yourself to be creative in the moment. So, while it’s good to have a plan, that plan doesn’t have to be written in stone and there still needs to be room for creative freedom.
Be Sure to Pack Snacks and Beverages
The final tip is a really simple one, but it’s also important. Be sure to also pack some snacks and beverages. You could be in that studio all day so your vocal health and energy level needs to be something you are mindful of.
One of the Best Experiences of Your Life
As a musician, there is nothing quite like the first time you step foot into a recording studio. It’s an impressive milestone, and one that you don’t want to take lightly. Go ahead and celebrate, pat yourself on the back, and then get down to business and make the absolute most of your time in the studio.
