Preparing for recording:
Band:
- Work out arrangements and parts prior to the session
- If possible, supply a few tracks similar to what you’d like your recording to sound like
- If available, provide any pre-recordings of your songs
- Choose song tempos and key
- Be well rested, properly fed and well rehearsed
Drummers:
- Change drum heads
- Tune drums
- Change snares if needed
- Purchase fresh sticks
- Replace any cracked cymbals or broken hardware
- Pack and prepare any auxiliary percussion you may want to add to the album
- Be well rested, properly fed and well rehearsed
Guitar/banjo/ players and bass players:
- Change strings and skin (if needed)
- Tune guitar
- Get your instrument set up or have your guitar intonation checked
- Replace any fuzzy pots, bad jacks or broken hardware
- Replace any bad cables and pack a spare cable just in case
- Re-tube and re-bias your amp if needed (tube amps only)
- Pack extra picks, tuner, spare guitar cable, extra stings and fresh batteries for pedals and active pickups
- Be well rested, properly fed and well rehearsed
Vocals:
- Avoid drinking alcohol/coffee/high-sugar drinks, smoking and salty foods the day before and day of a session
- Plan to record the best time of day for your voice
- Be well rested, properly fed and well rehearsed
Horns and woodwinds:
- Bring extra reeds and slide/valve grease or oil
- Have your instrument cleaned and re-padded if needed
- Pack a tuner (if needed)
- Be well rested, properly fed and well rehearsed