Studio Sessions: The Basic Production Process

I started doing some form of home studio recording when I was about 17 years old. I had been an aspiring musician/singer since I was about 10. I got one of the first 4-track cassette recorders when they first came on the market. Like many of my peers at that time, it was important for me to have the time and comfort to experiment with my song ideas.

The first time I ever stepped foot in a "real" studio was around 1984. My manager at the auto parts store where I worked heard me singing along with the songs on the radio and decided he wanted to manage and record me. So, there we were in a very nice studio in Hollywood, FL. My manager had briefed me well beforehand on the process, and what to expect when we got there.

However, nothing could've prepared me for what I was about to experience. Thankfully, my manager had years of experience in production, and had either produced or been involved with the production of a few hundred songs by the time I met him. He helped me to be disciplined and focused throughout the entire session.

Also, for weeks before going to the recording session he put me through a strict practice schedule which, at the time, I felt was unnecessary. I found out later that there is no such thing as unnecessary rehearsal.

Preparation

It's important to first understand that throughout every phase of the recording process it is always more economical to use different types of studios and settings for each of these phases. For example, once you have your song written you'll want to use a rehearsal space of some kind to work out the musical arrangement if you have a band that will be eventually recording the tracks in the studio. Of course, your living room or garage is the best choice (if you have the space and isolation) because it's free. Or you can rent cheap rehearsal space. As long as you have access to an average sound system, the space will suffice.

If you're going to be using midi sequenced music tracks, it will be best to complete the entire track at home, or at the home of the person that will be performing that task. The point is that you don't want to pay the huge hourly rate of a regular recording studio to practice or work out kinks in you music.

The same thing applies to vocals. You'll want to practice (open voice) weeks before your regular studio session. You need to know all the lyrics to your song backwards in your sleep by the time you step to the studio microphone.

Now, the 3 basic phases of audio recording is TRACKING, MIXING, and MASTERING.

The Tracking Studio Session

After you've prepared your music, and learned AND practiced your vocals, the studio you should be going to should specialize in TRACKING. This means that if you are using a band to lay your instrumental tracks this studio/engineer should be experienced in microphone positioning for your acoustic instruments (drums, horns, acoustic guitars, vocals, etc.). The engineer should also know the best way to record electronic instruments as well.

If you're transferring sequenced music tracks, the studio would need to have a strong concept of MIDI and how this should be done in order get the best sound recorded. They should also have good mics for vocals and acoustic instrument overdubs.

Remember : Garbage in, garbage out.... so be careful.

If you've had a chance to visit the studio and hear some of the engineer's work PRIOR to booking the session, you most likely made the decision to use the studio based on what you saw and heard. In such a case, you should be ok as far as the sound and experience of the engineer.

After getting all your tracking done, and you're satisfied that all the elements needed in your song are there, it's time to book a mixing session. And no, you should never track and mix in the same session or on the same day....ever. The reason? Your hearing is different after spending a day in the studio, even if you don't notice it.... trust me on this. "Fresh Ears" are needed for a mixing session.

The Mixing Studio Session

The mixing studio you use depends on your budget. But, I strongly recommend using a studio and engineer that specializes in mixing. The reason? A mixing engineer will know a lot more about blending sound frequencies and equalizaion, effects and final instrument and sound placement, and preparing the right final mix for the final stage; the mastering process.

Some mixing studios also have the expertise to complete the mastering process. However, I strongly recommend using a mastering studio, which will specialize in mastering.

The mastering process...what's that? Keep reading....

The Mastering Process

An experienced mastering engineer can sometimes take a bad mix and make it good. A good mix can be made to sound great. A great mix can come out sounding like a hit song.

The biggest mistake that many inexperienced people make is to omit the mastering process completely. An experienced mastering engineer knows how get the proper highs, lows and mids, and how to make your final cut sound as big as it needs to be for CDs and airplay.

Never, ever, ever skip the mastering process!

Final Thoughts

Of course, there are more details involved in the recording process that would take more than a couple of pages to explain. However, if you follow these basic guidelines you'll be prepared, disciplined and focused.

Source: U.S. Library of Congress Register of Copyrights- copyright.gov