Here are a few tips from my website:
Making a Better Record
The more everyone understands what is expected in the studio, the better the tape will turn out. Be aware that some musicians get uptight before a session - it can be a very stressful time. Just remember it's a demo - a snapshot in time of where you are right now. Studios are pretty cold places. Because we're on the other side of a glass wall, it can sometimes feel like we're sitting in judgment of your music - we aren't. The glass prevents control room sounds from leaking into the studio mikes. We have our own problems to take care of. If we hear a mistake, we'll let you know, but we aren't sitting there waiting for you to make mistakes - we make enough mistakes of our own. We're here to help you get great sound - not to judge your music or your playing.
Tip# 1
Rehearse only the songs that you'll be recording for at least 2 days before the session. For clean starts, use an 8 beat count-off instead of a 4 beat count-off, with the last two beats silent. (Example: 1 2 3 4, 1 2 - - )
Tip# 2
Practice the songs straight through, including intros, endings, and dynamics. Work out all your solos before you get to the studio.
Tip# 3
If needed, put on new strings and drum heads at least 2 days before the session. Bring extra batteries, strings, and cables, just in case.
Tip# 4
Get a good night's sleep and make sure everyone is in a good mood before the session. Don't party. A word about drugs and drinking; Some people play better when they're smashed, some don't. Check with the rest of the group to see which category you fit into. Bring friends if you feel more comfortable playing to an audience.
Tip# 5
Start the songs cleanly and wait till the tape is rolling before turning up your volume (unless we've gated your instrument). Don't talk, play, or move for a count of eight after you finish a take. Wait for the last notes to die away completely. Use your volume knob to fade out at the end of a song.
Tip# 6
Don't jam or play between takes or songs. Either tune up or sit quietly. Goofing off just wastes everybody's time.
Tip# 7
You may have to change your normal amp settings to get a better sound on tape. Sometimes your stage settings don't work in the studio and we may have to experiment to get your sound back - even to the point of switching amps or going directly into the board, or through the SansAmp.
Tip# 8
If you screw up, don't panic, but point it out. Most of the time, we can punch it in later. If one song isn't happening, forget that song and move on to another song, or we'll take a short break. Don't bother with "I'm sorry" or "I'll get it this time." You're just putting more pressure on yourself. Screwups happen. Just relax and try it again. Recording is very stressful - don't make it any harder on yourself. If you feel yourself getting tense about a song, take a break. A break after every couple of songs can help a lot. Be open to suggestions and changes. "Screw-ups" sometimes turn out great. Maybe you didn't hit the note you wanted, but the note you hit may be better.
Tip# 9
After the final session, everybody usually wants a rough mix. Go ahead and enjoy it that night and the next day, then put it away. Get away from the music for a while, or you won't be able to hear clearly when you mix. Everybody should take a 2 or 3 day break (or longer) before the mixdown session to rest their ears. Listen to groups you like, and try to get a feel for their sound and their mixes.
Tip# 10
Before the mixdown session, play the rough cassette (with or without the band there) and make notes on every song. Is it similar in sound to groups you like? Try to pinpoint the differences. Need more bottom on the kick? Less reverb on the vocal? Vocals too loud or soft? More edge on the bass? Move the lead guitar more to the left or right? Before you start the mixdown, we'll go over your notes and try to get the sound you want.
Tip# 11
When you're mixing down, you want a finished product that's as good as any pre-recorded material. Listen to the whole song, not just your part.
That's about it. Above all, have fun. Remember, your attitude will come across on the finished product.
A Typical Recording Session
Recording Times
A 5 song demo requires about 34 hours (2 or 3 days to record the basic tracks, vocals, harmonies, and solos, plus one or two days to mixdown and master). A good rule of thumb is: 1 minute of recorded music = 1½ hours of studio time. Here's a "typical" recording project breakdown:
The Day Before The Session
We'll have your drummer come in to set up, tune, and get the drum sound the day before the session. When the drummer leaves, the board, mics, and drum kit are set and ready for the session the next day. Since drums tuned for stage use are different from studio drums, we suggest you use one of our drum sets, since it's fine-tuned to the room and we can get an awesome drum sound with them. We have nine different snares to choose from.
Bring your own cymbals, snare, kick drum pedal, and drum seat if you like. Of course, you're free to use your own drum set, but figure on a lot more setup time.
Day 1 - Basic Rhythm Tracks
The bass can go direct to the board, or to our
Ampeg SVT-II preamp, or your bass player's rig. We'll usually mike the guitar amps and we have an assortment of classic tube heads and cabinets, all of which have an incredible range of great guitar sounds, avalible at no extra charge.
Song 1 usually takes about 3 to 4 hours to record (including guitar amp setup, placing microphones, eliminating hums, hiss, and buzzes, setting headphone levels, getting everybody warmed up, etc.).
The rest of the songs take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or so per song, depending on the number of takes or effects needed. (One song will take a lot longer than the other songs - I don't know why - it just works out that way.) Figure about 6 to 8 hours for the basic session. It's a very long day but we'll take a lot of breaks. All you're going for on Day 1 is a good drums/bass/rhythm groove with a scratch vocal. The singer shouldn't push on any of the vocals today.
Day 2 - Solos, Overdubs, and Vocals
You'll add solos, and possibly redo some tracks because you came up with something better. That takes about 5 hours. You did rough vocals during the basic session to help with timing. Now, you'll do the finished vocals & harmonies if you didn't blow your voice during Day 1. Figure on about 2 to 5 hours for vocals.
Day 3 - Mixdown Session (Several Days Later)
Final mixdowns take about 4 hours for the first song and about an hour each for the rest of the songs. You'll listen on different speaker systems (we can even broadcast directly to your car radio, using our FM stereo transmitter) and we'll adjust the sound to get the best compromise for the final mix. Figure about 8 hours for mixdowns, or longer. Add another 4 hours for mastering. A "typical" five song recording project runs something like this:
Session Hours
Drum Setup.............2
Basic Tracks..........10
Solos & Overdubs ....5
Vocals & Harmonies..3
Mixdown.................8
Mastering...............4
Total....................38
Quality
What kind of quality can you expect for your money? Expect a finished CD that's as good as any pre-recorded product and meets FM Broadcast standards. The current trend in mastering for CDs compresses everything and boosts the overall level of the final mix. This is a trade-off that sacrifices some of the dynamic range for a punchy final product that's "in your face". We include mastering at no additional charge.
We prefer using less compression and having more more dynamic range in the mastering stage, but the final choice is yours.
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. I was talking more in terms of sending them a sheet of rules of what they can and can't do whilst at your studio.