Recording Studio Session | Preparing for a Session in Southampton

Are you thinking about making a demo, EP, or even an album? Perhaps you’ve already booked some time in the studio.

On this page, from River Recording Studios in Southampton

A focused recording studio session with the right kit, will get the best possible results on your tracks. And by thoroughly preparing for a recording studio session in Southampton, you can save you both time and money. Learn the do’s and don’ts and plan ahead.

In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know and do before you get to work with your music producer and engineer.

Your recording studio session

Once you’ve ascertained what it is you want to achieve in your record studio session, the first thing you’ll need to do is book a slot.

Know your genre and the kind of flow you want your album or EP to have. Some albums tell a story from start to finish and the songs are all relevant to each other whereas others are simply compilations of songs. Make sure you have the right questions to ask when you’re looking to get studio time.

If it’s your first time recording, visit the studio beforehand and take into account price, recording equipment and the environment itself. This will help you understand what the process will be like. You will also get a chance to meet the staff there and see if it is a good fit. Get to know them – smile and be friendly. There’s so much knowledge among the people working there, so it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the equipment and process.

Preparation for recording

Some studios will offer a pre-production meeting before a session where you can find out more. However, try and ask these questions before you book to save time in the studio.

What size room should I book?

Usually the bigger the room the bigger the cost. Work out if you need a large band space or just a vocal booth.

How much time will I need?

Be clear about how many songs and parts you want to record and the studio should have the experience to tell you how long you will need.

Is the rate hourly or per session?

Not all studios price the same so make sure it’s clear what you are paying for. Also, find out if the studio can do cheaper rates with longer sessions.

How long is the recording session?

If a studio charges by the session, find out how long this is and whether there is any flexibility in case you want to have some more time.

What equipment does the studio have?

Some studios have top-quality acoustic guitars and pianos. You might want to use these instead of your own and it could save you carrying your gear.

Who is the engineer or producer and are they included in the price?

You need someone there to run the session and some studios may have options at different rates depending on experience. Find out who is available, what genres they have experience in and how this affects the price.

Preparing for a session in Southampton

Recording studio prices will vary from studio to studio. Here are some tips on how much recording studio time would cost and what you should look for when booking.

Make sure you find out the rates charged by the recording studio as soon as you can. Be aware of what your budget is. Most studios should have a price list that will tell you the different rates that they charge.
The best way to learn about the quality of a recording studio would be to listen to their work. You could ask for recordings they have made and compare them with other records to see how good they are.
You need to know how to choose the right studio before you can get ready to record in one. Fortunately, studios are usually run by incredibly friendly people who are more than happy to show you how to get studio time.
The best thing to start with is to do a quick search for ‘recording studio near me.’ Hopefully this will come up with a range of options for recording studios in your area. You can have a good look at their website and give them a call or drop them an email if you need more information.

How do you prepare a studio recording session?

You must make sure you’ve rehearsed to perfection before you arrive. The recording studio is not the place for unnecessary mistakes, as you’ll eat into valuable time. Practice your songs with a metronome to avoid timing issues, especially if you are used to singing along live with instruments.

You should also work on your techniques. Studio microphones will pick up all nuances no matter how subtle. Guitarists should also keep in mind that all finger movements will be picked up and drummers should always bring spare sticks.

Things to know before going into a recording studio

Show up early. Studios will really appreciate it if you warm up, prepare your voice for singing and are ready to go right away. It will all help the recording session run smoothly and make you look more professional. If there is an issue, let the studio know as soon as possible.

Make sure you bring some food and stay hydrated over a long session. If you don’t you will only get exhausted and won’t make the most of your time. Mics will also pick up belly rumbles and that’s probably not the sound you’re looking for.

Learn some of the basic jargon used in a recording studio. Read this article for a full glossary of technical terms with explanations.

How to prepare for a vocal recording session

You need to ensure your vocals are on top form before you get started. And here’s how you can do it.

#1 Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises are great for your mind as well as your voice. Taking deep breaths will help you stay calm, confident and relaxed. It will also help you overcome any anxiety or fear of recording when you’re in front of the mic.

#2 Warm-ups

Vocal warm-ups are an absolute must so try and warm-up before you get to the studio. You need your voice to sound as good as possible if you’re going to get the most out of your investment so there are no excuses for not warming up.

#Knowing what you want

Have a clear idea of what you want the end product to sound like. Perhaps prepare a mood board to take with you that includes genre/similar artists etc. to give the producer a firm idea of your vision. Do you want the song to have backing vocals or any additional instruments? Decide this before you record vocals to make life easier for the producer. They can structure the sessions more effectively if they have the info in advance.

#5 Polishing the song for recording

The shorter a song is, the less time you spend on vocal takes. It can also make it more accessible. For example, Old Town Road by Lil Nas X isn’t even 2 minutes long and has sold millions. Try to keep the song length to no more than 3.5 minutes (the length of a standard pop song). Make sure in rehearsals you tighten the song to the length required for the recorded version.

Make sure the song grabs you straight away with a catchy hook line (this can be an instrumental or vocal line). Most people will decide if they like a song or not within 30 seconds, so ask yourself questions like ‘is the intro too long?’ and ‘does the song show off my sound and abilities best?’

If you write longer songs than you have to accept that you may need more time in the studio, which will cost more money. See if you can shorten sections and make a condensed version for your release.

During your recording studio session

Understanding how to use a microphone is very important for vocal recording. Standing too close can make your voice very bass-heavy, known as the proximity effect, but standing too far can make your vocals less clear. Ask the engineer for some advice on mic technique.

You should ideally stand around 6 inches from a microphone to get the best result but this won’t be the case if you are exceptionally loud or quiet.

Don’t move too much because the mic will pick this up, especially if your clothing rustles a lot or has lots of zips. This will come through on your vocal recordings so if you move, be aware of what your clothes sound like!

Working with an audio engineer

Don’t expect magic from the engineers, they can only do so much. Just because you’re in a studio doesn’t mean you’re Beyoncé now. Problems with performance come down to the performer, not the studio. It is easy to get frustrated if things don’t sound as you hoped but do your best to stay positive, communicate how you feel and see it as a learning experience. Have clear and open communication with your engineer. Be aware of these potential issues and are proactive in working through them while you’re recording.

Long takes can mean more mistakes. It could be easier and quicker if you record the parts of your song individually. If you record verses and choruses separately then it might be less challenging. You can also focus more on the individual parts of the song. If you need guidance, feel free to ask the engineer or producer about how to develop a certain sound. They may also help you to discover other artists similar to yourself.

Keep learning and don’t give up! Recording music is almost like learning a new instrument so it takes practice and perseverance. This will help you make the most of your recording and help you prepare to lay down an entire album. If you’re in and around studios, gigging locally and on the open mic circuit, you may be able to pick up tips from other artists. Studios can be a great place to form collaborations. It’s known to be a winning environment for forming creative relationships – and who knows where they could take you.