Going into a studio is different than practicing or performing. It’s a different art form in music and takes different steps to get your tracks exactly right. It’s become such an art form that there are now several musicians who are simply studio musicians because of the different techniques used. If you are getting ready to record, you will want to make sure that you rehearse in a way that gets you ready to record.
The number one rule to remember about recording is that you can’t miss a beat. If you do, it will cause everything else to be off. Because everything is typically recorded in layers, it combines the need to stay exactly on tempo with the song that is being recorded. Make sure that you know the tempo and don’t miss it when you are practicing to record.
The second rule of thumb for recording is rehearsed with layers as one option in mind. While most studios will allow you to record all of the instruments at once, your instrument will still be singled out to get the rest of the process right. This means you want to make sure that you can move around with your instrument and know the song forwards and backward.
Along those lines, always have starting and stopping points that work well with you in one song. If there are any flaws while recording, they can be punched in. You will want to have specific points that you know you can start at again to record any mistakes you made. Dividing up your pieces and learning them in segments will help while you are recording.
Another aspect to keep in mind with the rehearsal before recording is to know what to practice and know what can be plugged in. For example, getting louder or software can be manipulated by the production process and the sound and resonance of what you are playing. It’s unnecessary to put in the extra ornaments and marks often found in music for performance or practice unless you definitely know you want it to stand out.
With all of these concepts in mind as an individual, you can then begin to think about how the blend will change when it moves into the studio. Even though every instrument will be on a different track, you will want to determine how this will best fit in, the possibilities for balance, and what you want the end product to sound like. This will help you get used to the right sound and build the correct balance from the concepts you think fit best.
With these different tips and tricks, your recordings will go much smoother, and you will be able to follow your musical script to get what you want to be laid out on the right track. If you prepare in this way, you will find that your ability to record will be much easier than if you go in without preparation. It will save time and space and allow those producing the CD to have an easier time putting your CD together.
