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Recording Tips
 
Save money by preproducing your session before you come into the studio.
 
Preproduction plays a pivotal role in the success of studio recordings.  
 
Good preproduction doesn't have to be time-consuming, but it does have to be detail oriented. 
 
You should do at least three rehearsal sessions using the techniques outlined below:

A good preproduction session should have these elements.

    (1)  Record each Rehearsal 
    (2)  Establish Song Structure
    (3)  Confirm Tempo
    (4)  Confirm Chord Voicings and Instrumentation
 
By using these preproduction techniques, you will save yourself a lot of time and money in the studio.  Below are some specifics on these techniques.
  • Record each Rehearsal

    • Everybody Plays Live (Absolutely no Overdubs!) Keep the recording simple.

    • Listen as a group to each take that you record.

    • Everybody should leave with a disc / tape of each session.


  • Establish Song Structure.
    • Write down the structure chart of the song.  How many bars is the 1st chorus?  Is it longer than the 2nd chorus?   What about the breakdowns?

    • Make sure to write down chord names in the chart.

    • Make sure that you've incorporated good dynamics into the song.  Look for places where you can add / cut instruments to add contrast between the different sections of the song.  Make sure your tranisitions and hand-offs are well-placed.  Establish the lead instrument inside all sections of songs. 

  • Tempo

    • Have the drummer play to a click track.  The drummer should wear headphones.  The rest of the band should cue directly from the drummer.

    • Write down the official tempo of each song.

  • Chord Voicings and Instrumentation
    • Break the music down -- try doing a take of just drums & bass & vocal; then do guitars and vocal only; then try bass & guitar, etc.

    • Make sure guitars and keyboards and vocals are out of each other's way.   Make sure the bass and keyboards stay out of each other's way.  Make sure guitar and bass notes don't clash.

    • Make sure that every instrument supports the lead vocal or lead instrument, and make sure that the lead instrument is not masked.   An incorrectly placed guitar note in a chord can easily weaken a vocal or lead instrument.