Booking your first studio session is exciting, and for most people it's also a little nerve racking. I've been running my recording studio in Calgary since 2010, and I can tell you that almost everyone walks in a bit nervous the first time. That's normal, and it fades faster than you'd think.
Here's what I tell first timers before they come in: why you don't need to be perfect, what to prepare, what to bring and how a first session actually goes.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT
The biggest worry I see is that people think they have to nail the whole song in one take. You don't. That's not how recording works. We record several takes, work on the sections that need it, and build the final performance from the best parts. That process is called comping, and it's a normal part of every professional session, not a sign that something went wrong.
My job is to coach you through it. If a line isn't landing, we'll work on it together and try it again. What matters is that you show up prepared and ready to perform. I'll take care of the rest.
WHAT FIRST TIMERS GET WRONG
Most of the problems I see on a first session have nothing to do with talent. They come down to preparation.
Not practicing enough. The studio is not the place to learn your song. If you're still figuring out the lyrics or the chord changes, it shows in the recording, and you end up spending your session time rehearsing instead of recording. Know your parts well enough that you can play or sing them without thinking about it.
Not showing up at your best. Anything that affects how you feel affects how you perform. If you're tired or run down, it comes through in your voice and your timing. Surprisingly enough, even something as simple as what you ate before your session can make a difference. Spicy food and vocal performances usually don't go well together. Get a good night's sleep, come in feeling your best, and you can put everything into the performance.
WHAT TO SEND AND WHAT TO BRING
Send these to me before the session:
• Lyric sheets
• Rough demos
• Backing tracks
• Anything else we'll need to hear before you arrive
Getting these ahead of time means I can be ready when you walk in, and we spend your session recording instead of sorting out files.
Bring your instrument, plus spares of the small things that break or go missing. Guitar players, bring an extra set of strings and extra picks. Whatever your instrument is, bring backups.
HOW A FIRST SESSION GOES
The first part of the session is about getting on the same page. We talk through the plan for the session: what we're recording, in what order and what you want it to sound like.
Then it's about getting you comfortable. Nobody performs well when they're tense, so I take the time to get you relaxed and settled before we start. Once you're comfortable and excited to perform, that's when the good takes start happening.
WHAT I TELL EVERY NEW ARTIST
Relax, have fun and do your best. I'll coach you through the rest.
And get into the performance. Be present and connected to the story you're telling and the emotion you're trying to get across. That's what people connect with in a great take, far more than perfection.
You bring the song and the preparation. I bring the experience, the room and the gear, and I'll guide you through every step.
If you're doing some of your recording at home first, I covered what to record where in Home Recording or Studio? What to Record Where. And if you're still deciding whether a studio is worth it, start with Why Professional Recording Services Matter. You can see our current pricing on the rates page, and if you want ongoing coaching beyond a single session, that's what my Artist Development program is for.
NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
If you've never recorded before, a consultation is a great first step. We'll go over your songs, your goals, your timeline and your budget, and answer any questions you have about the process. You'll leave with a clear plan for your first session.
Questions first? Send us a message.