10 Ways to Prepare Before Going Into a Pro Recording Studio

Whether you’ve recorded in a studio hundreds of times or you’ve never even stepped inside one before, it’s important to be prepared when you go to record in a professional studio.

Below are 10 ways you can prepare for a successful day at a studio. 

1 - Set a goal for the session

Setting goals is an important part of life. They help you stay on track and subconsciously work towards where you want to be. 

When you set goals for a studio session, write down what you want to achieve. This will help you keep your priorities in focus. 

Some examples of goals you could set for your session:

• Today I am going to record 3 albums

• I am going to mix 4 songs today

• We’re going to finish recording the album today

2 - Finish writing songs before the session

It’s always a good idea to finish writing your songs before going to the studio. Otherwise, you will be using precious recording time to write songs, something you could be doing at home, not spending lots of money. 

Come prepared and don’t waste your time or other’s by writing your songs before you get there. 

3 - Check to make sure you equipment works

Have someone look over your instruments, amps, and any other equipment to make sure they are all working condition. Again, you do not want to be wasting studio time on things that could’ve been done beforehand.

4 - Have working backups of your files

Backups will be a big help if you ever lose the primary files that your work was on. It may seem like a lot, but it's a good idea to have 3 copies of your files. One to take with you to the studio, one at home, and one to be backed up onto the cloud so you can access it no matter where you are. 

5 - Compatibility 

Don’t assume the studio you are going to will have the same plugins that you use at home. In order to have a successful day at a studio, make sure there is compatibility between your working set-up and the studio set-up. 

6 - BYOS (bring your own snacks)

Food creates energy which is something you’ll need a lot of for a day at the studio. The studio you’re going to will most-likely not offer you snacks and don’t bank on there being food nearby. Be prepared and bring your own snacks and water. 

7 - Rehearse

If you have your songs written, you should have rehearsed as well. Making sure that everyone who is recording has the parts down will help the session flow as effortlessly as possible.

8 - Research the studio

Research the following before going to a session:

• The DAW you’ll be working with

• The sound engineer/producer

• Reputation of the studio

• Any additional equipment you might need

• Directions to the studio 

9 -  Mix on Another Day

If you can, avoiding mixing any recordings on the same day. The songs should be mixed on another day so they sound fresh and you can hear any mistakes better. If you mix on the same day as recording, tiredness might cloud your judgement. 

10 - Aim for Excellence

When you go to a studio, you create songs that you want to release to the rest of the world, so make sure you are putting your best effort in. 

Take your time getting the best takes and focus on getting a good sound. If you prepare, you should be able to focus on making good music instead of all the little things that could go wrong. 

Written By: Leah Gerber

Conclusion

Preparing will contribute largely to your success in the studio so don’t overlook it. So take some extra time to rehearse, check your equipment, and research the studio. 

Have you recorded in a professional studio before? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below.

11 Tips for Recording Guitar Like a Pro

Trying to capture the sound of an electric guitar on a recording can be difficult unless you have the right equipment and knowledge to do so. 

The good thing is, learning how to record guitar that sounds good is pretty straightforward to learn. 

Below I’ll be going through 11 easy tips to recording guitar that sounds professional.

Set-up

Before we get started, let's go through some gear that will help you when recording. 

1. An audio interface for connecting your guitar to your computer

2. Microphone

3. A Digital Audio Workstation, or DAW for short

4. Plugins, which are software you use within your DAW to add effects

5. Monitors or headphones so you can hear the audio without colouring the sound

If you’ve been producing music for a while, you’ll probably have all of this gear already, if not that’s ok too, you just need the basics like a DAW and a microphone to start.

Microphones

When you’re recording your guitar, it’s a good idea to record your amp. The best type of microphone for recording an amp is a cardioid dynamic microphone. 

When you record from home, the acoustics usually aren't the best. A cardioid dynamic mic can help with that. The cardioid dynamic mic blocks sound from the ear and they aren’t as sensitive to loud noises which makes them ideal for recording guitar. 

Cardioid dynamic mics pick up sound from the direction they are pointed at and block out any sound coming from behind. 

You can learn more about different types of microphones in this article from Musician on a Mission.

Check out the SM57 if you’re interested in purchasing a cardioid dynamic mic. 

Mic Positioning

As mentioned before, your mic should be set up to record your amp. Ideally, your mic would be placed close to the amp to pick up any unnecessary noise.  

Your mic will pick up the best tone 0-5 inches, or 0-12.5 centimetres away from your microphone. 

If you have two microphones, try placing one farther away from the amp. This will create a roomier tone when recorded

Finding the Right Tone

It’s easy to get excited when recorded and forget some important steps. It’s important to spend a good chunk of time adjusting the EQ (equalization) on your amp and the tone controls on your guitar. 

Your goal is to have a recorded guitar tone that needs no equalization in the mix phase. It may sound difficult but it’s pretty easy to achieve. 

One good tip to remember when trying to achieve this is, turn the bass knob down a bit, as you don’t need much low end on the guitar. 

Adjusting Position and Tone

When you adjust the position and tone, you want to find the speaker cone of your amp. If you look inside the front grill, you’ll be able to tell if it’s a cloth grill. 

Position the microphone close to the amp and about halfway between the centre and the edge of the speaker cone.

If you move the microphone back and forth between the centre and the edge, the tone will become brighter or darker. 

Here’s a diagram to illustrate this concept.

As you move your microphone around you will hear the sound become darker/duller towards the edge and bright or aggressive closer to the centre. 

Some things to keep in mind

• Use a brighter tone to record lead guitar

• Use a darker tone to record a supportive part

• Use a brighter tone to record low frets

• Use a darker tone for high frets
  
  
  
  

Finding a Tone that fits with the Mix

It's important to hear the tone of the guitar in the context of the mix. So try playing along with the track as you adjust the tone. Set the tone at a place where the guitar sounds good with the rest of the track, not by itself. 

Reference Tracks

If you’re struggling to find a tone that fits well with your mix, you can find a song that has the sound you’re going for and compare it to your sound. 

Listen to the song and identify the tone. Is it clean or distorted? bright or warm? Once you identify that, you can compare it to the sound of the guitar you are recording. Then adjust your equipment accordingly. 

Changing the Tone When Overdubbing

It’s not uncommon for one guitarist to play multiple different parts in one piece. This is called overdubbing. 

An example of this would be playing the same chord progression twice and then pan one hard left and the other hard right. 

If you want to create separation in your mix, try changing the tone a bit every time you record a new part. 

Use Less Distortion and Amp Reverb

When you distort your guitar for a recording, it ends up sounding way more distorted in the mix. 

A distorted guitar has its place in live music, but when you’re recording it’s best to use less distortion. 

When you’re mixing and decide you want more distortion, it’s easy to add with an amp simulator. 

The same goes for amp reverb. If you have it on while you’re recording, you’re stuck with it. If you record with no distortion or reverb, you’ll be able to add it if you need it. 

Amp Size

The size of your amp doesn’t matter when you’re recording guitar. Because your mic will be placed close to one speaker, it doesn’t matter if that amp has one speaker or twelve. 

Many musicians prefer to have a smaller amp while recording because they like the tone. 

Headroom

A clean guitar can be very dynamic so make sure your levels are set with plenty of headroom. 

BONUS TIP:

Recording Directly

Producing professional-sounding songs from home requires some compromise.

If you are recording from home, try recording the guitar directly and then using an amp simulator to capture a good sound. 

If you decide to go this route, make sure you have a proper DI box.

This video will walk you through what a DI box does.

If you end up wishing you had recorded using an amp, you still can. A re-amping box can be used to play a clean recorded guitar track out of your DAW and into your amp. 

This way, you can take your time adjusting the tone before recording.

However, re-amping boxes are expensive and not ideal in a home studio. If you are recording at home, consider every option you have and choose wisely, because it’s difficult to change your mind. 

Written By: Leah Gerber

conclusion

Recording guitar can is straightforward once you have the right knowledge and equipment to do so. Don’t get too frustrated though if you’re still having issues with it. It will take a lot of trial and error to get the perfect guitar sound.

Are you a guitar recording pro? let us know in the comments what tips helped you get better at it!

11 Ways to Record Better Vocals

Recording vocals can be a challenging and daunting task. It can be difficult to know how to prepare, if the acoustics in the room are good for the sound, which microphones to use, and then actually having enough confidence to hit record. 

It’s normal to be nervous the first couple of times, or even the 50th time you record vocals. However, there are things you can be doing to make this process easier on yourself. 

If you’re looking for tips on how to make recording vocals less stressful, keep reading. 

Create a Relaxed Environment

Whether you are working from a studio or home, it’s important to set up a relaxed environment for the artist or yourself. This will help the vocalist to be at the top of their game and ready to sing their heart out. 

Here are some things you could offer to make the vocalist more comfortable

• Water

• Clean room and equipment

• Studio Equipment set up before their arrival

• Comfortable seating

If you’re working with other people, remember to be professional and friendly. If you’re recording your own vocals, Still take the time to prep the room and get some water, it’s important to keep yourself comfortable too!

Be Positive

Throughout the recording session, constantly encourage the vocalist. Tell them that they are doing a great job, and if you have any suggestions or criticism to add, make sure it is in a positive and professional manner. 

However, It’s important not to share too much criticism. The singer most likely has their own idea on how they want the song to turn out and as the producer, you are helping fulfill their creative vision, not changing it. 

Remember, this is a nerve-wracking thing for a lot of people to do, so a person who chooses to get out there and create music to share with the world are incredibly brave.

Acoustics

Acoustics are a small thing that make a big difference in a track. It's important to pick the right room if you’re recording at home. 

The room you chose to record in should have lots of soft furnishings like a living room or a bedroom. It’s best to avoid rooms with lots of windows.

You want the room to be as dead as possible without being too dead. It’s all about finding balance. When there is too much sound being absorbed in a room, it can lead to muffled highs and an overall unnatural sound.  

Levels

Levels can be a tricky thing to get right. Ideally, your levels should maximize dynamic range, but still preserve headroom. Headroom leaves a certain amount of volume open to allow the mixing engineer to increase volume later that won’t raise floor noise. 

At the beginning of the session, have the vocalist sing a louder portion of the song so you can see how loud they will go and adjust accordingly. From there you can monitor the levels and change them throughout the session if needed. 

Check out this video from 5piece for a quick tutorial on levels. 

Record Everything

A vocalist may sing their best when they don’t have the pressure of knowing they're being recorded. So try recording while the singer warms up or rehearsing, so if they do their best performance then, you’ll be able to use it. 

Don’t use effects

When you’re recording the initial vocal tracks, don’t put any effects on it. You won’t be able to take them off if you end up not liking them. You can always add effects, so stick to recording dry. 

Use a Pop Shield

Pop shields are used to help avoid plosives. Plosives are letters like ‘p’ and ‘b’ that create a gust of air when you say them. Pop shields are placed in between the microphone and the vocalist to capture the air before it hits the mic. 

Watch this video to learn more about pop shields.

Mics

Knowing how a vocalist sings is crucial to recording their vocals right. 

Things you should know about your vocalist’s style

• Are they dynamic? 

• Do they tend to sing quieter? 

• Do they move around a lot while singing?

Different types of mics are better suited for certain styles of vocals. For example, if you are recording a punk band that has aggressive vocals, a dynamic microphone would work well. Dynamic microphones work well when the vocalist is up close to it so it gives a live performance feel to it. 


If you’re unsure what microphone to use, a cardioid dynamic microphone is a go-to for most vocal recording sessions. These mics work well at home or in a room that might not have the best acoustics. 

Shure SM57-LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

You can learn more about which mic is right for you here.

It’s also important to adjust the microphone height and position. A microphone that is positioned under lip level will produce a brighter sound and one that is positioned above lip level will produce a duller sound. However, a lower microphone will produce more bass because of its proximity to the chest.

Most people position the mic directly at lip level but this can lead to a bland sound. Try placing the microphone at eye level and then pointing the mic downward slightly. This technique boosts the lower midrange as well as the highs from the mouth. 

Rotating the microphone can change the tone so try playing around with positioning before you record to find a tone that works well for your vocalist.

Monitoring

The vocalist you’re working with, even if that's yourself, will need to be able to hear the song as they record the vocals. This will help them stay on key and also make for a better recording overall. 

for the singer to hear the vocals the best, provide them with a good pair of closed-back headphones that don't allow any sound to seep through.

Comps

It’s also a good idea to do multiple takes and run through the complete song multiple times. This will allow you to combine the best parts of different takes together. 

Check out this video to learn more about vocal comping is Logic Pro X. 

Make it Effortless

If you prepare well enough, the actual recording process should be fairly effortless. Once you have everything set up and ready to go, you’ll be able to focus on getting the best vocals. 

Things to listen for:

• Is the vocalist clearly articulating the words?

• Is there emotion conveyed through the singing

• Is the vocalist singing in tune

You’ll be able to focus on getting a clear sound if you get the equipment prepared properly first. 

Written By: Leah Gerber

Conclusion

If you’re having a hard time recording vocals or you’ve never done it before, try some of these tips, they might come in handy. 

Once you prepare, recording vocals isn’t that challenging. Just remember to stay positive and focus on getting a high-quality sound. 

Any tips we missed? Let us know in the comments below.