Tips for Selecting a Recording Studio

Whether you are a relative newcomer or a seasoned artist in the recording industry, choosing a recording studio can be one of the most crucial decisions you will ever make regarding your career. Your first recording studio experience can either be a great one, or a complete waste of your time and money so it is important to keep these tips in mind both for choosing a studio and how to use your time wisely while the clock is running.

#1. Always ask for demo CDs of artists that the studio has worked with. This may not be necessary if you are working with your label's house recoding studio. However, if you plan on renting the studio on your own dime it is critically important that the studios final product sound the way you want it to.

#2. Get a list of the studios equipment. Your recording is only going to sound as good as the studios equipment can make it. It is true that the skills and ear of the recording technician play a large role in the process as well, but without the right equipment even the best technician can only do so much.

#3. Get multiple price quotes. If you are lucky enough to live in a city with multiple recording studios case each one out. Compare their prices as well as their equipment to get the best quality without going over your budget.

#4. Look for hidden fees. Some studios will charge you an hourly rate but will also throw in extra fees for additional mixing and mastering. Don't be caught off guard when your bill is more than what you expected.

#5. Figure out how and whether the recording studio wants name space on your CD cover. A recording studio is a business and as such is going to want their name on the product they produce. Ask them what they expect as far as credits on your album.

#6. Practice before you get to the studio. Now that you have chosen which studio you want to use, it's time to start practicing. You want every hour spent in the studio to be used working on material that you already have down. The recording studio is not the place to write or practice music, it is the place to record music. Less takes to get it right means less money out of your pocket.

#7. Act professional. You never know when you may have a recording technician with additional connections in the music industry. It is not unheard of for a recording technician to pass on a CD to other music professionals which could lead to that big break you have been waiting for.

#8. Don't be afraid to tell the technician what you want. As long as you remain respectful and always keep in mind that most technicians know what they are doing, be vocal about how you want your recording to sound. If you feel a section needs more vocals or more guitar, tell your technician. In most cases they will gladly accommodate you.

#9. Be a constant part of the process. Nothing is more rewarding than knowing that you had a hand in how your CD was made. However, keep in mind that you do not want to be overbearing or demanding. After all you are paying the technician to make your CD so let them do their job.

#10. Have the studio master and finish a couple tracks before completing the entire CD. There are plenty of great recording studios out there, but there are also plenty well meaning recording technicians who think they are better than they actually are. Before committing to an entire CD with the studio, ask them to full master and complete one track. If you like how it sounds, keep them. If they are not as great as they said, don't be afraid to move on to another studio.

These tips are mostly meant for those that are not currently signed to a label. If you are signed to a label, in most circumstances your label will choose the recording studio you are going to record in and make the arrangements for you. However, if you are trying to get signed or if you just want to record for the sake of recording, these steps will help ensure that the end product turns out as great as you imagined without breaking your budget.