Going in for first recording session....HELP!!!

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Lizadiane88

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I have no idea what I'm getting myself into....I tried creating my own home studio, but it didn't exactly work out as well as I wanted it to. I only play piano and do vocals, but I bought backing tracks online that I can use behind my songs. I've never stepped foot into a real studio before, so I have no idea what to expect and I am feeling extremely nervous (more like terrified) its just very overwhelming and I don't know what I can do to prepare or how NOT to make him mad (because when I get nervous, I mess up while singing and/or playing piano...) I'll be using the keyboard that he has, because mine is too large to transport by myself. I'm bringing my music and lyrics with me as well. When it comes to the backing tracks, should I give them to him and tell him that those are the songs I wanna use? How does that work? Because I don't play anything other than piano and that gets....kinda boring. I don't know how to add special effects or anything. (I've tried.) He said we could add special effects if I wanted, which I would for some of my songs. What should I expect? Do I pay him before or after the session is over? Are audio engineers nice or do they become frustrated easily? I want to do as little to be frustrating as possible, but its a difficult thought to put out of my head when I've never done this before....new people doing anything they've never done before tend to be a little frustrating.....So ANY tips or suggestions would be really helpful....I really want this to be a fun and beneficial experience, but I don't know what to expect so please do not hesitate to let me know if there's anything I can do to make this easier on my nerves, thank you

P.S. (this is an edited) The person I spoke with when I booked it said we'd be a couple to several hours recording and mixing. This might seem like a REALLY stupid question to some people, but its highly important to me (cause I could die lol) I have hypoglycemia (in my case, it's dangerously low blood sugar) Should I tell him this in case I get dizzy or something? Or would this be frustrating also?
 
Hey.
First thing's first.....Do a whole lot of calming down. ;)
The guy isn't going to get mad at you! :facepalm:

The best thing would be to inform him in advance about the backing track situation just so he knows.
He may ask for copies so he can be prepared. He may not.
As long as he knows to set up for a keyboard and vocals he'll be happy. We don't like surprises!

Have your parts extremely well rehearsed! Be prepared to sing them inside out and backwards.
There's no point learning it on my time, or at your cost.

The studio is the kind of environment where time flies and 'normal' people get hypoglycaemic so, yes, definitely let him know if you have a medical condition. I'm probably telling you what you know but make sure to bring any medication/food/drinks you might need.
I should imagine you'd generally be prepared, and also would tell anyone you're spending any length of time with?

Don't worry about the click track thing. That's a metronome reference to keep everything tight but it's not relevant since you're using backing tracks. The backing track is your click track.

As far as effects, it's not really your job to know about any tricks he might have up his sleeve. If you actually use effects yourself then that's fine, but if he's offering to dress up your recording just let him tell you what's available. :)

He wont get mad if you make mistakes or have to take several goes. That's completely normal.
He'll be happy splicing bits together to make a good take, if you're happy to let him doing that.
Personally, the only thing about it that annoys me is when people get into a flap and apologise every single time they have to stop.
I'd MUCH rather they just shout over. "Cut....Can we go back to bar 4, please?"

It might seem a little bossy, but it saves a LOT of time and it's much more professional.

Hope that was useful to you.

Oh, and enjoy yourself. :) I almost forgot that.
 
Lizadiane88 said:
I have no idea what I'm getting myself into....I tried creating my own home studio, but it didn't exactly work out as well as I wanted it to. I only play piano and do vocals, but I bought backing tracks online that I can use behind my songs. I've never stepped foot into a real studio before, so I have no idea what to expect and I am feeling extremely nervous (more like terrified) its just very overwhelming and I don't know what I can do to prepare or how NOT to make him mad (because when I get nervous, I mess up while singing and/or playing piano...) I'll be using the keyboard that he has, because mine is too large to transport by myself. I'm bringing my music and lyrics with me as well. When it comes to the backing tracks, should I give them to him and tell him that those are the songs I wanna use? How does that work? Because I don't play anything other than piano and that gets....kinda boring. I don't know how to add special effects or anything. (I've tried.) He said we could add special effects if I wanted, which I would for some of my songs. What should I expect? Do I pay him before or after the session is over? Are audio engineers nice or do they become frustrated easily? I want to do as little to be frustrating as possible, but its a difficult thought to put out of my head when I've never done this before....new people doing anything they've never done before tend to be a little frustrating.....So ANY tips or suggestions would be really helpful....I really want this to be a fun and beneficial experience, but I don't know what to expect so please do not hesitate to let me know if there's anything I can do to make this easier on my nerves, thank you

P.S. (this is an edited) The person I spoke with when I booked it said we'd be a couple to several hours recording and mixing. This might seem like a REALLY stupid question to some people, but its highly important to me (cause I could die lol) I have hypoglycemia (in my case, it's dangerously low blood sugar) Should I tell him this in case I get dizzy or something? Or would this be frustrating also?
Click to expand...

It's not like going to the dentist. Most engineers are friendly and want to get the best they can out of you . . . because their reputation as engineers is at stake.

Bring your music, bring your lyrics. Make sure you have a good night's sleep so that you are well rested.

Ask him how he wants payment when you get there. Most will say to pay when you're done.

If you are nervous because you haven't been in a studio before, just say so. It's not unusual, and it's not something you need to hide.
 
gecko zzed said:
Ask him how he wants payment when you get there. Most will say to pay when you're done.
Click to expand...

I forgot about that bit.
Yeah, the bill is usually settled at the end.
He may ask for something in advance (most don't) but, sure, that's ok.
 
You guys have been so helpful! I really appreciate all the suggestions. I've worked with tutors before on music and they tend to lose their cool, so I wasn't sure what to expecting. He seems pretty nice and understands I've never done this before. (Thank you for telling me about the apologies tip...I tend to be one of those people, but I'm really glad to know so I don't do it.) I hope to be well prepared for it. I'm still working on some music, but I know it'll be done beforehand (most of the piano songs I have are almost done along with lyrics) I guess I'm just nervous and excited at the same time. The state I live in is NOT well known for musicians, so hopefully this works =D Thanks again! I appreciate all the suggestions!

P.S. No, nobody knows I'm doing this. Not my friends, not my parents, because most of the people in my life aren't supportive of this choice and will do anything to talk me out of it. I thought if I recorded something professional, they could 1. see how much work and effort I'm putting in and 2. actually hear how I sound on a CD, then they might not be so judgemental
 
Glad to have helped.
I hope it goes well for you, and maybe you'll come back to share your experiences and recordings?
Good luck. :)
 
Yes, enjoy this man. Have fun and do what you do. :)

I do have a question about your backing tracks. Do you have separate files for each instrument? I ask because in situations like these it is always best to have them separate. Much more can be done that way. Are you playing covers of material that someone has already made backing tracks for, or did someone perform the tracks for your own written music?
 
Don't stress too much. Be rehearsed. Bring food and take breaks. If you need to hear something differently don't be afraid to ask - that's what you're paying the engineer for. He's there to help you sound great.
 
Great advice already. The engineer has probably had true newbs in his studio before. Just tell him and then relax. He'll walk you through everything. Be prepared with your music so you're not practicing or writing songs on the clock.

Good luck and have fun.
 
Hey! Nothing wrong with dentists, mine is great!
IF the guy is a professional and does good work he will have seen it all before, heard it all before and have several T shirts for it.
YOU are paying HIM to give a service. There is no reason for him to be anything other than kind, patient and supportive.
In any event, anyone who has had any experience of vocalists KNOWS that they need a calm place and atmosphere, bullying simply does not help and is in any event, totally inexcusable.
Singers also need rest. Only SO many takes inside them per day!

Anyone mentioned booze? IF you drink at all, ONE glass of wine before the event, perhaps. Certainly no more.

Dave.
 
Lizadiane88 said:
P.S. No, nobody knows I'm doing this. Not my friends, not my parents, because most of the people in my life aren't supportive of this choice and will do anything to talk me out of it. I thought if I recorded something professional, they could 1. see how much work and effort I'm putting in and 2. actually hear how I sound on a CD, then they might not be so judgemental
Click to expand...

Well........now WE know you're doing this;) And we're 1000% behind you and wish you well !! Do your best to stay calm.......have fun with it........and don't forget that we'll be waiting to hear how it goes !!!
 
ecc83 said:
Anyone mentioned booze? IF you drink at all, ONE glass of wine before the event, perhaps. Certainly no more.
Click to expand...

I don't drink or sing so I don't have personal experience, but I understand that one shot of whiskey sipped slowly can be good for the voice.
 
If you aren't used to doing things "on command" be prepared to screw up. Don't let it get you down though, don't let it affect your performance. If you screw up, just say stop.. go back.. lets do that again.. Clear your head and do it again. It's easy to start getting down on yourself when you don't nail it in front of other people, keep yourself in a good mind set (or really negative mindset if this is screemo piano!) hah
 
I've done what you're doing. Been where you're going. Did you study under anyone special?
Yes, a vocal coach is going to get angry, pushy, whatever you want to call it. They're trying to push you to do more with your voice. I had a piano coach that would get mad if I didn't get something right by the third time. THAT was frustrating. She didn't last long. There are not that many Lhevinne's in the world.
No, a tech shouldn't get mad if you make 100 mistakes. They get paid by the hour. :laughings: But they want you to have the very best sound you can (as was explained before). If 30 hours of practice before the studio saves you an hour in the studio, you and the tech will both be happy! :D Remember, Van would sometimes practice 8-10 hours at a time (sometimes up to 14 hours a day). I'd love to have that kind of time.

Good luck!
 
Okay, your voice. People will probably argue with me, but...
First, don't eat or drink anything for about 2 hours before.
Second, avoid peanut butter, chocolate, sugar of any kind and dairy of any kind for at least 12 hours.
Third, if you drink anything drink it at room temp. Cold/hot effect the vocal chords.
Fourth, warm up: Deep breaths from the diaphragm. Don't let your shoulders rise when you breathe, keep them relaxed. In for one count, out for seven. Support your breathing (imagine different colors pushing your breath up). Breath out as smoothly as you can. Practice this stuff before that day. You'll find your performances will be enhanced by good breathing technique.
Last, Performance. Number one, anxiety is your enemy. Whatever it takes to stay calm (short of drugs) is the most important thing. If you are tight, your larynx is tight, your voice is not right. Now is the time for the spoon full of sugar (actually, honey) Honey will keep your throat from getting raw and will help for a couple of hours. Take a small glass of room temp water with a squeeze of lemon (use real lemon) and sip (don't drink too much or you'll be hitting the head every 10 minutes). Then take one teaspoon of honey. Give yourself 5-10 minutes before you start singing.
If you are very nervous, you will make mistakes, vocally and on the piano. Relax, take a deep breath and pretend you're at home practicing. Hope this helps...wish I could be there to physically show you these techniques.

Oh man, almost forgot. When you sing, do NOT sing into the mike. Point your head at it. Pick a point on the wall and sing beyond the mike. This is a very hard technique to demonstrate by typing, but it is very important. If you concentrate on the mike, you lose focus on your breathing and your voice control. If you can pick a spot beyond the mike and project toward that point, you will sound fuller, more confident, etc.
Again, good luck, and yes, we are 1000% behind your effort.
 
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The fact that you are asking means you will be fine. This is the most professional thing someone can do; ask for help. Do the same thing you are doing here with your engineer. Tell him this is your first time and you don't know what to do. Maybe even show him this letter. He will work gently with you and you will be fine.
good Luck,
Rod Norman
Engineer

Lizadiane88 said:
I have no idea what I'm getting myself into....I tried creating my own home studio, but it didn't exactly work out as well as I wanted it to. I only play piano and do vocals, but I bought backing tracks online that I can use behind my songs. I've never stepped foot into a real studio before, so I have no idea what to expect and I am feeling extremely nervous (more like terrified) its just very overwhelming and I don't know what I can do to prepare or how NOT to make him mad (because when I get nervous, I mess up while singing and/or playing piano...) I'll be using the keyboard that he has, because mine is too large to transport by myself. I'm bringing my music and lyrics with me as well. When it comes to the backing tracks, should I give them to him and tell him that those are the songs I wanna use? How does that work? Because I don't play anything other than piano and that gets....kinda boring. I don't know how to add special effects or anything. (I've tried.) He said we could add special effects if I wanted, which I would for some of my songs. What should I expect? Do I pay him before or after the session is over? Are audio engineers nice or do they become frustrated easily? I want to do as little to be frustrating as possible, but its a difficult thought to put out of my head when I've never done this before....new people doing anything they've never done before tend to be a little frustrating.....So ANY tips or suggestions would be really helpful....I really want this to be a fun and beneficial experience, but I don't know what to expect so please do not hesitate to let me know if there's anything I can do to make this easier on my nerves, thank you

P.S. (this is an edited) The person I spoke with when I booked it said we'd be a couple to several hours recording and mixing. This might seem like a REALLY stupid question to some people, but its highly important to me (cause I could die lol) I have hypoglycemia (in my case, it's dangerously low blood sugar) Should I tell him this in case I get dizzy or something? Or would this be frustrating also?
Click to expand...
 
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