Making the Most of Your Studio Session: A Beginner’s Guide

So, you’ve got a musical project you’re passionate about, and you want it to sound just like it does in your head. You’ve done your homework, found a top-notch studio, and booked your first session—congratulations! But now what? What should you expect, and how can you make sure your session goes smoothly? Let’s explore how to prepare for your session and ensure you leave with exactly what you came for.

Diljit Dosanjh.

Preparing for Your Session

Knowing what you want to achieve before you step into the studio is key to a successful session. A great song starts with a great recording, and that comes from being well-rehearsed and comfortable. You don’t have to be perfect, but being familiar with your material will help you perform confidently. Understand what you sound like at your best so you can recognize when something doesn’t sound right.

In the Studio

We urge all of our clients to follow one philosophy: have fun with the process. It’s completely normal to feel nervous, especially if it’s your first time in a professional studio. But even the pros still get butterflies sometimes. Think of recording engineers like doctors: we’ve seen and heard it all, and we’re here to help, not judge. Our job is to make you feel so at ease that you forget you’re in a studio at all. We want you to get lost in the music and enjoy the process. When you’re happy and relaxed, we capture the best version of your performance. If you’re having a good time, so are we!

Common Beginner Tips

• Relax your body and mind, and don’t stress about perfection. Stress can tighten your vocal cords and even distort how you hear yourself, which can lower the quality of your recording. Getting comfortable will dramatically improve your performance. You’ll get into the groove if you allow yourself to.

• Get a good night’s sleep. Being well-rested helps you perform at your best.

• Book enough time. It usually takes about two hours to record vocals for a song and leave with something you’re happy with. Give yourself enough time to relax and ease into the creative process.

• Stay hydrated and eat beforehand. Arriving hydrated and well-fed will keep your energy up and help you stay focused.

• Avoid smoking or vaping before your session if you want the cleanest vocal sound.

• Try to stand while recording. This gives you better control over your vocal range, unless you have years of training to manage this while sitting.

• Limit distractions. Put your phone on silent or leave it in the control room. Avoid bringing too many people if they will distract you. 

• Trust your engineer. If you’re at a reputable studio, trust your engineer’s guidance. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re unsure about something. Clear communication is essential for a successful session.

Michael Jackson in the studio, 1987.

Tips for Vocalists

A professional studio should provide warm water if you ask, but bringing your own is a good backup plan. Drinking warm water (you can add a bit of 100% natural honey for extra benefit) helps prepare your vocal cords for a strong performance. Leave the technical aspects like mic choice and placement to your engineer—they’ll handle the rest.

Tips for Guitarists

• Always tune your guitar before you start playing. A well-tuned guitar is essential for a great recording.

• Practice with a metronome. Playing to a metronome helps ensure your rhythm is consistent. This is crucial if you plan to add drums or other instruments later. In this specific case, even a great guitar take can become unusable if the timing is off.

Believe in Yourself

At SAD Entertainment, we’ve worked with thousands of artists and creatives, from beginners to seasoned pros. One thing we’ve noticed is that everyone’s recordings improve with experience. The more in tune you become with your craft, the more comfortable you’ll feel in the studio, and the better your recordings will sound. So, trust the process and believe in yourself.

Chappel Roan in Dan Nigro’s home studio.

Finding Your Method

When recording vocals, some artists prefer to record the entire song in one take, while others use a method called “comping,” which requires an artist to record multiple takes for each section of their song. Live Comping has several benefits:

1. Better quality control: You can pick the best takes for each section.

2. Creative flexibility: You can experiment with different interpretations of each part during recording.

3. Easier on your voice: You can record in sections without running out of breath.

Now that you have a better idea of what to expect, you can head into your recording session with confidence. To summarize:

• Know your goals before you arrive.

• Warm up your voice.

• Stay hydrated with warm water.

• Have fun and trust yourself.

• Find the recording method that works best for you.

• Communicate openly with your engineer.

As you gain more experience, you’ll discover your own tips and tricks for a successful session. Good luck, and enjoy your first recording experience!