1 - After recording the perfect take, don't forget to turn off the record arming switch for the track you just recorded on and accidentally erase that once in a lifetime take!
2 - Don't overload your electronics by cranking the trim control and not having enough level on the channel and buss fader.
3 - Don't record with too much eq effect or it might be difficult to undo the changes in mixdown.
4 - Don't mixdown after several hours of tracking. Tired ears make for bad mixes.
5 - Don't mix on speakers you don't know the sound characteristics of with different types of music. Play a few CDs of music you are familiar with on them first so you'll know what the short-comings are and eq and position them as best as possible to sound good with your store bought CDs first so that when you mix on them, you'll get a more predictable result that will transfer well to other people's systems.
6 - Don't record a guitar and piano and keyboard sound all playing the same notes as this will just blur the definition of all the instruments. Use panning and different octaves of the spectrum to separate each instrument in the mix better.
7 - Don't forget to tune your instruments prior to the session to known tunning standards. I use my keyboard as a tunning reference for all my instruments.
8 - When singing, don't drink coffee or alcohol as both restrict your vocal chords.
9 - Don't forget to print this out and put it where you can see it in your studio!
10 - Don't forget to send me all your money!
How's that for negativity?
Cheers!
