Before the Studio

In many instances, I see artists come into a studio ill-prepared for the task they are undertaking. Problems that can be addressed before walking into the studio aren't. Things such as problem cords, extra batteries, guitars and basses intonated. Always make sure that drum heads are new, new strings have already been on the guitar or bass for a few days. This eliminates the need to tune every 6 bars. Keep an extra supply of amp tubes and pretubes.

If you are the musician who does remember to do all these things, do you remind your band mates and follow through with it to make sure it has been done. Recording is an art form all in itself, but unless you are truly PRE-pared then when you get into the studio, all the little problems you had never noticed before start to come out. It is not pleasant when you purchase studio time and then spend half a day trying to find a rental instrument or amp.

This is not for those who are doing at home projects in their bedroom and rely on plug-ins to correct minor note problems that are really only solvable by taking you instrument in to a professional and having them take the time to properly set up your instrument so that you can get the most out of it. Do not try to set your instrument unless you have received the proper training. Nothing more frustrating to an engineer than to have someone say they know what they are doing and it is your equipment that is faulty. It is not the equipment but the instrument.

When an instrument is properly set up and strung, or new heads have been installed, use them for a day or two to help break the strings in, and allow the heads to stretch a little. Going into the studio like this will allow you to play better because now you know that your instrument is truly ready.

Have fun in the studio.