General
  • Expect to work hard. If you have recorded before you already know how much hard work is involved. Recording is very rewarding and fun but it is also an incredible amount of work.
  • Know which songs you want to record (and preferably the order you want to record them in as well).
  • Bring a list of the names of the songs you intend to record.
  • Have the arrangement of each song figured out. Know what instruments will play and what parts they will play. Keep in mind that too many instruments at once will quickly clutter a mix. The cliché of "less is more" and "more is less" is very true in music. Listen carefully to your favorite recordings and take note of their uncluttered arrangements.
  • Rehearse for the session. Know your parts cold.
  • Do not forget that it takes time to set up for a recording session. Prepare yourself to wait while microphones are set up and levels are optimized.
  • Dress in comfortable and quiet clothes. Clothes that make noise every time you move can lead to a very frustrating experience when in front of a sensitive microphone.
  • Show up to your session on time.
  • Show up to the session well rested.
  • Keep people away from the studio that may distract from the task at hand.
  • Practice with a click track (metronome). Sometimes you will have to use a click track in recording and if you have never practiced with one there could be difficulties. Click tracks can help keep a steady beat and can also be essential in recording some songs.

Drummers
  • Get hold of a quality kit and make sure it has new heads on it.
  • We prefer to mic the kick fairly close to the beater thus if your kick has both front and back heads we need to have access through the back drum head.
  • Know how to tune your drums or hire a professional to tune them.
  • Make sure there are no squeaks or rattles coming from your set.
  • Bring extra sticks.

Guitarists
  • Put on new strings and break them in.
  • Make sure your guitar is set up perfectly for you and all the electronics and pots are in good shape. If needed bring your guitar to a service shop to have it professionally set up.
  • Know your amp settings for each song you are recording.
  • If you are planning on using effect boxes, save all presets so they can easily be recalled.
  • Make sure all effect boxes you will be using are high quality and in good shape. A noisy effect box will result in a noisy recording.
  • Bring extra strings and picks.

Keyboard Players
  • Save all settings you will be using so you can recall them easily.
  • If you have a complex MIDI setup and need our studio to sync to your equipment please let us know ahead of time.

Bassists
  • Make sure your strings are in good shape.
  • Make sure your bass is set up perfectly for you (action etc.) and all the electronics and pots are in good shape. If needed bring your bass into a service shop to have it professionally set up. Make sure the action is not causing excessive fret buzz.
  • If you are planning on using effect boxes, save all presets so they can easily be recalled.
  • Make sure all effect boxes you will be using are high quality and in good shape. A noisy effect box will result in a noisy recording.

Vocalists
  • Have lyric sheets unless you know the music extremely well.
  • If you play an instrument while you sing try to become able to play or sing independently. We will be able to get a better recording tracking the instrument and voice separately.

Other Instrumentalists
  • If you are reading music photocopy any sheets that may be tough page turns. Your microphone will pick up loud page turns.
  • Bring accessories. Undoubtedly the producer will decide he wants the sound from the very mute or mouthpiece you didn't bring. Bring it all if you have it.