Have you ever had recording sessions that seemed to drag on forever? Everyone was exhausted by the end, you had to book extra studio time, and the whole experience just wasn’t as fun as you expected. I know what it’s like on both sides – as a musician in a band and as a producer. The problem is that a lot of musicians don’t really know how to prepare for studio recording sessions properly, so they often end up with different expectations than the producer or even their own bandmates.

So, I thought I’d put together a few guidelines for you. I’ll explain why recording in a studio is different to playing live and give some practical tips to help you and your band get ready for your next recording session. 

This checklist is mainly aimed at artists and bands getting ready for their next studio session, but it’ll also be useful for musicians who record themselves at home. While I’m talking about rock music here, you can easily apply the tips I’m about to share to any genre. They’ll definitely help you have a successful and enjoyable recording session.

What Sounds Great Live Might Not Work in the Studio

This is something I see all the time: musicians coming in with their favorite equipment and the settings they’ve perfected for their live shows—only for me to suggest using something different for the recording. It’s never easy for me to say, and I understand it’s even harder for them to accept that their favorite live sound might not work as well in a studio setting. Many artists want to maintain the raw energy and emotion of their live performances and fear that their recordings will end up too polished.

Stay with me here. You can’t really compare the sound and feeling of a live show with a recorded song played on your headphones. You can still get close to that energy, but using the same playing style and gear as on stage won’t necessarily get you there.

Live Performances and Studio Recordings Are Two Completely Different Worlds

Experiencing a live show and listening to music on headphones or speakers are two completely different experiences. At a live show, you’re not just hearing the sound from the speakers; you’re also experiencing the sound from the stage, the natural acoustics of the room, the energy of the audience, and even psychological factors that come with being at a live concert.

But listening to music on headphones or speakers is a different story. With headphones, you only hear what’s coming directly to your left and right ears – there’s no room ambience, and you might even have background noise like a train or people talking. With speakers, you get some room sound, but you don’t get the stage sound, for example.

As you can see, these are two completely different listening environments. That’s why getting a recorded sound that captures the same energy you’re used to in your live performances or rehearsal room may require a completely different approach.

Live Sound Isn’t the Same as a Studio Recording – And That’s Okay

When you’re performing on stage, every note you play is gone as soon as you play it. It’s all swallowed up by the stage volume, the other instruments, and the room acoustics. But in the studio, everything you play is placed under a microscope, to be preserved forever in your recording. This creates an incredible opportunity for musicians to capture those subtle, emotionally charged moments and bring them to life – the same moments we all love in our favorite songs.

It’s like the difference between seeing actors on stage and in a movie. Both end up with the same result, but theatre changes from performance to performance. A movie, on the other hand, serves as a one-time documentation, meant to stand the test of time and withstand repeated viewings.

It’s Totally Fine Not to Use Your Own Equipment in the Studio

At the end of the day, you want what’s best for the song, right? What works best on stage doesn’t have to translate well in a recording. But don’t get me wrong—you should still bring your own equipment! I’m not saying your gear isn’t great. I’m just asking you to stay open to other solutions that might serve the song even better.

It’s About the Song, Not the Ego

It’s also completely normal for someone else to play your instrument in the studio. It happens all the time and is standard practice! In the end, whoever can deliver the best performance should play the part.

Be honest with yourself and your bandmates here. You don’t want to waste valuable studio time because you’re too proud to admit you’re struggling with a part. Have an open conversation with your bandmates beforehand so that nobody’s feelings get hurt during the session. Just make sure you all agree on a solution that works for everyone.

Just remember that this should be fun and creative, not something that’ll cause tension or even break up your band!

Wrapping This Up

I think this is a really important point to understand. But, if you’re into those raw, DIY recordings from a basement and want to capture that vibe, then go for it – I love them too. But if you’re after creating professional-sounding songs that capture every nuance of your performance and share them with your audience, then it’s worth thinking about what I’ve said.

Make sure you and your band have the same idea of what you’re aiming for, so that everyone’s on the same page from the start.

How to Prepare for Studio Recording

Pre-Production

I won’t go into too much detail here, but this is a crucial step before heading into the studio. Pre-production is essentially the process of recording your songs on your own before you start your official studio sessions. This can be as simple as a live recording in your practice space, or you can go all-in and record track by track.

The main idea behind pre-production is to give you a chance to hear your songs from an audience’s perspective for the first time. You’ll be able to see how your arrangements feel, if your intended emotions and energy are coming through, and spot any sections that might need adjusting. It’s also a great way to hear yourself play, spot any parts that might not be as tight as you thought, and find out where you definitely need more practice before recording the final takes.

If you record your pre-production with a click track, you’ll also end up with scratch tracks. These can be a great reference for the final recording session, especially when recording drums first, giving your drummer something solid to play along with.

Practice Advice for Your Recording Session

Here’s some advice on how to practice your songs. This applies to drums, as well as guitar, bass and vocals.

Metronome? Metronome!

Here comes one of my favorite sentence of all time:

“Led Zeppelin (I don’t remember the exact band, so insert any legendary band here) didn’t record with a click, and it sounds awesome. So why do I need to record with a click?”

First, unless you’re Jimmy Page or another seasoned pro, chances are you don’t have the same level of experience. No offense – it’s just that Led Zeppelin is a pretty high standard. Second, my recording session wasn’t a live band recording. It was an overdub session, where each instrument was recorded separately.

If you’re aiming for that same level of professionalism, you’ve got to practice with a metronome! And it’s not just your drummer – everyone in the band should do it. Make the metronome your best friend: wake up with it, have lunch with it, and go to sleep with it.

These days, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be recording with a click in the studio. If you’re comfortable with a click track, it’ll save you time, prevent headaches, and make your performances tighter, more dynamic, and more organic.

Practice Alone

In most situations, you will be recording your parts on your own. This could be with the other instruments already recorded or, sometimes, just to a click track. That’s why it’s important to get used to playing solo. 

This is especially important for drummers. Since drums are often recorded first, your drummer needs to be the most prepared person in the band. Make sure they are rock-solid with timing and confident playing without the rest of the band around.

Consistency

Learn to play with power and consistency—especially in rock music. This applies to drums, bass, and guitar. Of course, you want dynamics in your performance, but they should be intentional—not a result of struggling to keep up with what you’re playing. This is one of the biggest differences between professional musicians and beginners.

Listen to Yourself Playing

Just like with pre-production, you shouldn’t be hearing yourself through speakers for the first time when you’re actually in the studio. Make it a habit to record yourself while practicing and listen back to it. This is an incredible way to improve your skills and gain a deeper understanding of your playing style.

You don’t need fancy gear for this—your phone or a direct recording to an audio interface will do just fine. Don’t worry about perfect mic placement or advanced techniques. Even better, record a video of yourself as well.

While listening back, focus on a few key aspects: the dynamics between parts, the consistency of your notes or hits, and the overall timing and flow of your performance.

If you’re finding it hard to stay motivated for practice, check out my article about implementing creative habits to your day.

Drums in the Studio: How to Prepare for Recording Success

Great drum tracks can make a huge difference to the quality of your production, but they can also be one of the most difficult elements to get right.

When you record drums in the studio, you have a couple of options:

• Use your own drum kit.
• Use the studio’s kit.
• Rent a kit or individual components. You can even rent specific parts, such as a snare, and it’s not uncommon to use a different snare for each song.

No matter which option you choose, the most important thing is to use brand-new and appropriate drum heads on both sides – batter and resonant – even for the kick drum. Proper tuning is crucial as well. Make sure each head is perfectly tuned before you start, and keep it that way throughout the recording process.

Most producers can help you to choose the right drums, heads and tuning, so don’t hesitate to ask for their advice.

Not sure which drum setup is best for your recording? I can help you make the right choice — let’s talk.

High budget option: Hire a drum tech to set up the drums properly and ensure that your kit maintains the best possible sound throughout the session. This allows both the drummer and the producer to concentrate on the performance, making the whole process much smoother.

Additional tips:

• Bring extra drumsticks.
• Pack Moongel or other dampening options.
• Practice is key: Make sure to practice with a metronome (!) and focus on playing hard, consistently, and with precise timing. See the Practice Advice section for more details. 

How to Set Up Your Guitar and Bass for Awesome Studio Takes

Always Use Fresh Strings

• New strings means brand new! Change your strings right before you start recording, and bring extra packs with you. Ideally, you should change strings every recording day, and in some cases, even after every song. This depends on factors like your playing style, skin acidity, and the studio’s air conditions – things that are largely out of your control.
• Avoid super-light string gauges. Thicker strings generally provide better tone and tuning stability, but the ideal string gauge also depends on your genre, playing style, and instrument. Talk to your producer for advice on what gauge works best for your session.

Confused about which guitar strings to use for your style? I’ve got the experience to help you choose — reach out here.

Proper Instrument Setup

• Make sure your instrument is properly set up before recording. This means having the right intonation and no unwanted string noises.
• Intonate after changing strings in the studio. If your guitar is already well set up, this will be a quick adjustment.
• If your guitar or bass sucks, talk to your producer. They can advise you on what to get, or you may even be able to rent a studio-quality instrument for the session.

Bass Recording Preparation

Being a former bassist myself, I’ve heard almost every bassist joke out there and know how we’re often seen as the “unimportant” members of the band. But let’s be honest – people are just jealous of how crucial we really are.

When it comes to recording, the bass is the foundation of a song, so it is incredibly important to get it right. And just like drums, it can be surprisingly challenging to capture a great bass track, even if you’re only playing eighth notes.

Consistency is Key:

• Master your attack: Whether you play with a pick or your fingers, maintaining a consistent attack is essential. If you’re struggling to achieve even dynamics with your fingers, try using a pick – it’s often easier to maintain consistency, and your song will thank you for it.
• Always practice with a metronome. This is non-negotiable! 
• Pro Tip: Practice with the DI sound only, no (virtual) amp. If you can get it to sound consistent, you’re good to go!

Guitar Recording Preparation

If you’re looking to get a great guitar recording, the most important things to think about are your playing style, tuning, and the instrument you use.

• Maintain accurate tuning when playing: Just be careful not to bend the strings out of tune with your fretting hand.
• Play with power and consistency: Practice picking the strings with a confident, even attack to get a solid and controlled sound.
• Break your song into sections: Practice your riffs and song parts one section at a time, making sure you can play them perfectly.
• Extra tip: Why not try using a metronome?

Preparing Your Voice for Studio Recording

There’s not much “technical” stuff you can do here – your voice is your instrument, and you can’t just swap it out like a guitar.

But you can still make sure you’re fully prepared for your studio recording:

• Get your lyrics, emotions, and performance right. Make sure you know your lyrics by heart and focus on delivering the right emotions with your performance.
• Record yourself while practicing. Listening back will quickly show you where you need to improve.
• Consider working with a vocal coach. They can help you prepare for the session and fine-tune your technique.
• Take care of your voice. Recording vocals for several days in a row can be tough. Make sure you:
  • Warm up properly.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Eat healthy and stay hydrated.
  • Maintain a positive mindset.
• Know yourself and your voice. Figure out what works best for you when you’re recording. Maybe it’s a certain lighting setup or a warm cup of tea.

Closing

So… this is it. Thanks for reading! I hope this article helps you with your recording session, whether you’re recording in a professional studio or at home. If you follow these tips – or even just consider them – your recordings will definitely improve!

And remember, recording should be fun! Proper preparation will make the whole process much more comfortable and enjoyable in the end.

References

https://bobbyowsinskiblog.com/16-ways-studio-live/
https://medium.com/the-recording-studio-digest/an-excessively-honest-guide-to-preparing-your-band-for-the-recording-studio-8cbebbd665da
https://drumheadauthority.com/articles/drum-recording-studio-tips/