1 - Find the right studio for you.

This is not a one-size-fits-all industry. There are many studios and producers to choose from, and some specialize in different genres. So if you want the best experience, take the time to shop around! Meet a few engineers, check out their studios, and get a vibe for how well you would work together. You’ll have an incredible experience if you work with a studio that’s passionate about your unique sound.

2 - Do your best to bring in a fully written song.

We can really hit the ground running once we have the full lyrics, chords, and melody. If you’re stuck on a lyric or two, feel free to bring in what you have and ask an engineer or session musician for input – but try to avoid relying on studio time for the songwriting stage of the process.

3 - Practice, practice, practice.

Practice playing your song with a metronome so you can record at an even tempo. If you’re in a band, each member should be able to play their part alone. The more polished you are when you come into the studio, the smoother (and less expensive) your experience will be.

4 - Have some reference tracks.

If possible, give the engineer or producer multiple examples of what you’d like your finished song to sound like. These should be tracks by other artists that have a similar tempo, instrumentation, and emotion to what you’re looking for. Knowing where you want to end up will make your time in the studio more productive and focused, and will help you avoid excessive revisions later on.

5 - Prepare your instrument.

If there’s ever a time when you want your instrument to sound its best, it’s in the studio. New strings and fresh drumheads will help you get a clean, professional sound. Vocalists should drink water, get enough sleep, and avoid caffeine before the session to stay hydrated.

6 - Talk about money before the session.

Money is the most common stressor on creative projects, so handle conversations about payment policies and budgets before getting started. That will make it easier during the session to focus on the creative process and enjoy the experience.

7 - Have priorities in mind for your session.

If you’re familiar with the studio process, try to make a list of what you’d like to accomplish during your session. Don’t worry about following a schedule perfectly, but be organized and have a plan. It will save you time and money.

8 - Be confident.

All the people and equipment in the studio are there to help you sound your best. So have fun, and express yourself! If you struggle with imposter syndrome, you’re in very good company. Just pour yourself into your performance and trust the process!

9 - Listen on different platforms.

When you get a mix back from the engineer, listen to it through as many different speakers and headphones as you can. Every listening platform will sound a little different, and it’s important to hear how your music translates across them. If you hear something you’d like to adjust on multiple speakers, you know it’s a good thing to bring up during mix revisions.

10 - Give yourself plenty of time.

If your project has a set deadline (such as a holiday), get into the studio as soon as possible. For all other projects, I usually suggest that an artist shouldn’t announce a release date until the project is finished. There can be unexpected delays in the music production process, and you don’t want to put yourself in a position where you have to either change the announced release date or rush the project to meet an arbitrary deadline. The best case scenario is to finish the project earlier than you expected, and have plenty of time to market the release. “If you want to release a Christmas album, start in March.” - Abraham Lincoln, probably.