We’ve all been there: it’s our first time at a recording studio and we’re desperately trying to understand who this dude is, what this button does and where the hell is the right mic. Worry no more: Ksyusha Khokhryakova, vocal producer of the studio, is here to tell you where to start, what to expect and whom to ask for advice.
⚫️ How do I know that the moment has come?
The most important step is to realize that it’s time for you to get out of your home studio and go see professionals. And as we know from spiritual gurus, to be aware means asking the right questions. To put it simply, you need to understand how working in the studio will benefit you personally. For example:
▪️ A professional studio offers the help of various specialists: producers, vocal coaches, recording, mixing and mastering engineers. But all of them share the same goal: to provide additional assessment and quality control of your material;
▪️ You can also book session musicians for acoustic recordings of live instruments;
▪️ A professional studio offers many more resources that may not be available at home or even on the Internet (if you like to buy used equipment).
However, it is important to understand that the studio is not a cure for all. It is not a goal or a plan, but a set of tools.
⚫️ Can I go to a studio if I only have a rough idea?
Yes, you can! There are producers and songwriters at the studio who can write you a song from scratch, focusing on your ideas and references. It's not the cheapest experience, but it’s definitely a pleasant one. This is pure art and creativity.
⚫️ How do I choose the right studio?
There are several factors that can influence your decision. Let's figure out which one are actually relevant:
▪️ The crew
The most important thing when choosing a studio is to study the list of specialists working there. Their experience is the most valuable resource.
▪️ The rating
Reviews are a tricky thing. We all know how one negative review can outweigh 10 positive ones. Remember that one angry driver's rating that totally ruined your taxi rating? Now you get it!
▪️ Recommendations and ads
If you already work in the music industry, then you probably know whom to ask for a recommendation. Thanks to word-of-mouth, there are studios whose business develops completely organically and does not rely on advertising, promotion, etc. Basically if a studio is really good, sooner or later experts will find out about it.
▪️The location
If we are talking about such a big city as Moscow, the location will tell you pretty much nothing. The studio address is influenced by many factors: the rent, the size of the crew, the age of the business, etc. Therefore, you can encounter lousy studios in the very center and find a diamond in the quiet neighborhoods.
⚫️ Who's in the studio?
There is always a leading specialist who knows absolutely everything about the studio. Right down to the epic story about how special fabric for a chair was purchased from IKEA.
There are also different engineers, each of whom is responsible for their own field: recording, mixing, mastering.
Larger studios also have managers, administrators, security, accounting and cleaning staff (the most important people in the studio!).
⚫️ What is in the studio?
Any studio has a “classic set”: microphones, digitizers, monitors, a console, synthesizers and real instruments.
If the studio decided to take a more exotic path, then something special awaits you + a classic set (it will most likely be of higher quality, larger and more expensive).
Every studio has two “hearts” – the control room and the acoustic room. This is where all the main work happens: musical, sonic, and technical.
And just in case: there are toilets too.
⚫️ Who will I communicate with?
To book a studio, first you need to find contact details, get in touch and book your time. Here our hero's path splits:
Scenario 1. The first person on the other end of the line in this branch of probability theory is a manager. He will advise you on available time, equipment, services and prices, and will also clarify whether you have any specific requests for a technical rider or studio specialists. Then you arrive at the appointed time, meet the crew and begin working.
Scenario 2. In some studios there is no manager: the sound engineer will pick up the phone. He will advise you, and then the same scenario unfolds.
Important: studios can be divided by genres. That’s why sometimes people can find a dream studio, but on the spot it turns out that there are no specialists working in their field. To prevent this from happening, discuss this while booking.
⚫️ How much time will I spend in the studio?
Everything is extremely individual, and each request is unique.
It may take 2-3 hours to discuss your task and record the material. But sometimes even a few days is not enough.
⚫️ What should I bring to the studio?
Be sure to bring a bottle of water and send all necessary recording materials in advance.
⚫️ What should I NOT expect from my first visit to the studio?
This is hard to believe, but on your first visit you most likely will not record from scratch a finished track or album that will immediately overtake the hits of Kanye, Beyoncé or Rihanna in sales and popularity.
A friendly reminder: if your material is not ready to work and/or you are not ready to invest in it, the studio may refuse to work with you.
In short, you shouldn’t expect a miracle, but you shouldn’t rule out the possibility that it might happen.
⚫️What services of your studio will definitely be useful to beginners?
First, a consultation. There you can discuss a variety of topics: from opinions on the theme of your track to creating a project from scratch. Questions for an engineer or producer should be thought through in advance. And remember: there are no stupid questions!
And we recommend using a vocal producer while recording. This is the person who will analyze your singing and help with the details of pitch, intonation, backing, polyphony and more.
⚫️ Top 5 useful tips for a studio “virgin”:
1. Trust the engineer: he is the hands, the head and the heart of the studio
2. Ask: there are no stupid questions
3. Do your homework: send material in advance
4. Research: choose a studio specifically for your needs
5. Relax: they say it’s easier to have fun this way
