Picking a studio could be one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your music career. In todays extremely competitive music industry, your CD is your calling card, and the right record could be a tremendous asset in opening doors and furthering your career. A poor sounding or poorly produced disc could be a huge detriment and set you back irrevocably. It is important to make sure you put your best foot forward. Here are a few tips to help you know what to look for when deciding upon a studio.

GEAR

Make sure you are recording on pro-grade gear. In todays world of accessible technology, more and more consumer product floods the market, targeting the weekend warriors and at home recording set ups. Recording is a complexly woven, fine-tuned art form with many components. Each component in the daisy chain affects the final outcome of the sound quality. Mixing consoles, microphones, pre-amps, outboard processors, analog/digital converters, monitors, even headphones - everything counts! Be sure to pick a studio that offers quality, professional grade gear to get the best sounding results.

FACILITY

You will be spending A LOT of time in the studio so it is important to make sure it can accommodate your needs. Make sure it is big enough and efficiently laid out so that you and your band are comfortable. Look for basic amenities such as a bathroom, refrigerator, and microwave to enable you to hunker down and work for extended periods of time. Is the studio clean, tidy, and well organized? This is often a reflection of the people running the studio, how they treat their gear, and how they like to work. How does the studio sound? Has it been sound-proofed and acoustically treated? Walk to different parts of the studio and clap your hands to check for room tone. Does the studio have more than one tracking room? This is important if you want to achieve complete track separation while recording simultaneous parts. And finally, does it have a good vibe? Will you be focused yet relaxed while working there?

PERSONNEL

Perhaps the most important thing to consider is the personnel behind the recording studio. These are the folks who will play a major role in helping you achieve your desired goals. Studios are often on relatively level playing fields in terms of gear and space, so then it comes down to personalities, know-how, and ears. Make sure you like the engineer and producer you will be working with. Do they seem easy to communicate with? How much experience do they have and are they familiar with the kind of music you play? Look for a place that views you as more than just a paying customer. Ideally, a studio should be interested in seeing you take your music to the next level. The better your CD does, the better the studio does. Make sure the people you are working with approach your project this way. How many other projects are the producer and engineer involved with at the same time as yours? Are their plates too full? Do not pick a studio if you do not feel you will be given a high level of individualized attention. Look for a place that goes beyond the call of duty. Find a studio that views your project as a partnership of sorts a production team that is willing to put its all into making the best project possible as well as willing to promote it even after it is completed.

WORK SAMPLES & REFERRALS

Don't pick a studio without visiting it first and meeting with the people you will be working with. Be sure to get recorded samples of the studios work and a list of references. Be sure you like the tone and production style of the recorded samples. Talk to others who have recorded there and get their take on their experience.

Making the most of the time you've got in the studio is really, really important.

Here's 5 tips to really keep in mind as you get ready to enter the studio, especially if you're a first-timer. Keep in mind, these all come from experience -- I've been there as a musician, and as an engineer, and everything I'm telling you comes from seeing it happen!

1. Have Your Songs Prepared.

This one goes without saying, but you'd be surprised. You and your band should be able to play through every song you plan on recording, and play through it well. Time spent working out arrangements in the studio is valuable time you can be using to add overdubs and other little things to make your songs shine!

Also, keep in mind this: if you're using any sequenced parts or electronic instruments, make sure you've got those parts arranged and pre-recorded before you enter the studio. The last thing the engineer has time to do is wait for you to remember how your electronic arrangement goes.

2. Hangovers Are Bad.

Sure, getting into the studio is a great time, and it's definitely cause for celebration, especially if it's your first album. But trust me on this one: lay off the alcohol, drugs, and late-night partying before getting into the studio. A lot of younger bands are more into the "scene" than they are making the actual record, and that's unfortunate. And remember, always respect studio house rules on booze.

Come to the studio well-rested and ready to work. If you're a singer, rest your voice, drink plenty of water (including room-temperature water when you're in the studio -- ice is bad for vocal cords!).

3. Always Use New Strings & Heads.

Guitarists & bassists, listen up. Bring new strings to the session, and don't cheap out, either -- go with good quality strings. Your recording quality will suffer with old strings, and no, I don't care if that's the sound you're going for. You'll thank me later.

Drummers, bring new heads -- and make sure they're tuned right on your kit -- and new sticks. And for everybody? BRING SPARES! You don't want to be holding up the session because you needed to send your girlfriend out to Guitar Center for you.

4. Know Your Sound, But Be Realistic.

Make sure your producer/engineer understands what sound you want, but keep in mind, they can't exactly reproduce another album's recording conditions for you. Just because your favorite band's drum tracks sound a certain way doesn't mean yours can -- that is, unless you use the same drummer, same kit, same room, same mics, same everything.

Bring some examples of styles you'd like to see reflected in your work to your producer/engineer ahead of time, and let them explain to you how they can split the difference to help your project come out as close to what you want, and remember: individuality IS a good thing!

5. Know When To Quit.

Adrenaline runs high in a situation like a recording studio, especially when you're racing to beat the clock to save money. But knowing when to quit can be really helpful, too.

The longer you push your ears, and longer you physically continue to perform, you'll get tired and thus your performance will suffer. It's better to know when to walk away for the day, and come back the next day refreshed and ready to go. It's not failure, it's making the best of your time. Your producer and engineer are susceptible to fatigue, too; keep them in mind when trying to fit in a marathon recording session with your band.

Joe Shambro.