While no two recording sessions are ever quite the same, the following are some of the things you can expect from your experience at LedBelly Sound Studio:
Please try to be on time. The clock will start at your scheduled time whether you are here or not.
Bring to the studio the same things you would normally bring to a show.
ie. drums, guitars, amplifiers, etc.
Don’t forget the obvious stuff like guitar strings, picks, drum sticks, pedals, cables, etc.
If you would like to use any of the instruments available at the studio, please let us know ahead of time so we can have it set up for you and make sure it is in proper working order.
Have your guitars and basses intonated to whatever tuning you use by a luthier or guitar shop. This is especially important for floating bridge guitars.
It’s a good idea to bring sample songs that have sounds of drums, guitars, basses, etc. that you like. This will give us a better idea of the tones that you are going for.
Instrument set-up, tuning, mic placement, patching, preamp and compressor selection, and meter leveling can take up to several hours. Please be patient and know that these important steps ensure your tracks will sound their absolute best. If you want to rush through it, we can’t guarantee a quality product.
Now comes the hard part….playing your songs correctly!
Here are a few ways to record your songs:
ie. The whole band plays and records at the same time, or recording each instrument separately with a click track. There is no right or wrong way to do it. The decision is yours and we will help you decide which way works best for your band and project.
If you do decide to record with a click track, be sure to rehearse with a metronome several weeks/months before coming to the studio. editing drums is a massive undertaking and can take many hours that you might not have budgeted for.
Have all the musical and vocal parts worked out before you get to the studio.
It’s very expensive to write and rehearse parts at a recording studio.
Know when to quit for the day. Recording is mentally exhausting, and if you’re tired,
you’ll hear it in your performance.
Tune up before each take. VERY IMPORTANT!
Count on and budget in unforeseen delays. It always takes longer than you think it will.
Limit the number of people that come with you to your recording session. As fun as it is to be in the studio, you are here to get something accomplished. Guests can influence your decision making and could take time away from your recording.
Alcohol is allowed as long you don’t intend on getting sloppy drunk. A few beers to relax is O.K. Same thing applies to weed/bud/marijuana. (please keep beverages away from the equipment. no smoking is allowed in the studio).
Have fun!