How To Feel Comfortable In The Recording Studio

Finding the right recording environment is a key ingredient in producing your best music. Professional recording studios are amazing places where magical things happen and musical dreams come to life.

As a musician or artist with music to share with the world, it will be helpful for you to consider some of the following practical aspects of being in a recording studio, so that when you are in the studio, engaged in the magical experience of capturing your music, you can be fully present, comfortable, and focused on all the little details that make your music special.

Choose an Engineer You Are Comfortable Working With

Beyond their technical expertise, a good engineer will take time to understand your vision. They will be sensitive to you as a person. They will share your excitement and understand your priorities. Meet with the engineer before your session to get a feel for how they work and whether they’re a good fit for you.

When you're in a session, you need to feel comfortable telling your engineer when

Choose a Studio You Feel Good In

The vibe of a studio matters. Finding a studio that makes you feel at ease is a component in being free to capture your music. Visit the studio beforehand and look at photos online to get a sense of the environment.

Have Your Music Well Prepared

This is one you have complete control over and it's free! Being super comfortable with your material and well-practiced will help you feel more comfortable during your session. If you make a mistake, it won't be a big deal. You can just fix it and move on, rather than getting flustered and wasting valuable time that could be used for more magical aspects of your music.

Rehearse your songs thoroughly and ensure that everyone knows their parts. I you are not fully prepared as your sessions approach, discuss some possibilities with the studio. This could be rescheduling for a later date, it could be recording some of the musicians now and others later, it could be adding some rehearsal time to your studio session so you can really nail the music.

Be open with your engineer. They are there to help you capture your best performances. They are not there to judge you or evaluate your music, they are there to make it the best it can be. If you hide your lack of preparation, you're obstructing your engineer's ability to help you create the best recordings possible.

Be Well-Rested and Healthy

Recording takes focus and energy. Getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and being nourished will affect how you feel and perform. If a singer's voice is not clear and strong, they should not record until they are healthy because it will impede their performance and be noticeable on the recording.

Allow Extra Time If Needed

Feeling rushed can create unnecessary stress. Consider how much extra time and budget you can afford so you’re not scrambling to finish. Discuss your timeframe with your engineer ahead of time—they understand that creativity doesn’t always fit into a strict schedule, and they’ll do what they can to accommodate you.

Understand That Studios and Engineers Charge for Their Services

Recording is a profession, and engineers have invested significantly in their skills, equipment, and facilities. Their fees reflect not only their expertise but also the upkeep of the studio space and gear. Many engineers, including myself, have worked multiple jobs outside the music world to be able to offer professional recording services. Understanding this helps set realistic expectations and allows you to fully appreciate the value of the recording process.

Since studio sessions costs money, and you don't have an endless supply of it, you will need to strike a balance between efficiency and perfectionism. So make the best recording you can today, and when you have a bigger budget in the future, you can record it again. Fans love hearing different versions of songs they love.

Understand the Workflow of a Recording Session

You and your engineer will identify your goals for each session and how they fit into your project as a whole. Your engineer will be focused on achieving those goals based on your priorities. Additionally, your engineer will focus on capturing the best possible sound and technical execution, while you focus on delivering your best performance. Embracing this balance will help you feel more in control and comfortable during your session.

A Word About Priorities

You can achieve your musical vision perfectly in a studio--if you have unrestricted time and budget. So be realistic and consider your priorities.

• If budget is a priority, efficiency will need to be prioritized over perfectionism.
• If creativity is a priority, time will need to be prioritized over budget.
• If perfectionism is a priority, technicality will need to be prioritized over efficiency and budget.

Share Your Music With The World

Recording in a professional studio is an exciting and rewarding experience. The sooner your project is complete, the sooner you can begin selling and steaming your music. Enjoy your time in the studio, a wonderful place to focus on that important, life-changing thing called music.