Recording DON’TS

by Brian Stephens

Though their intentions are honest and pure, many musicians tend to have misguided expectations from decisions they make in the pre-production process. The following is a list of Don’ts you need to know before you make your next record...

• DON’T pick a "Name" producer, recording engineer, or mastering engineer hoping to get that person to shop your CD once the project is done.

Odds are that if you seek out and hire any of these 'name' people, they will not do anything with your material except add it to their own demo reel. Unless you are discovered and approached by one of these people, most will treat your recording like just another mortgage paying project.

• DON’T pick a producer, studio, or engineer because every 'hip' band in your area has made the same choice.

What happens when those things are no longer hip or popular? Then, you will be lumped in with all the folks who were trendy. Instead of following the trend, create the trend.

• DON’T pick a certain studio just because some famous band recorded there.

There are a lot of variables to consider in making any album. Unless you use the exact same producer, engineers, and equipment while utilizing the same budget and time frame, you will not get the same end product. And even if you had all these in place, your record will still end up sounding very different.

• DON’T pick a studio or purchase recording time based on what you can afford.

Take your time and only move to record once you have put together the budget needed to get things done right. Save it, borrow it, or convince 'Uncle Vinnie' to bankroll you. Wait two more months and save every penny to have the money needed to make the best record possible rather than settle for the best recording you can make on a shoe string.

• DON’T pick a studio because it is the closest one to your house, rehearsal space, etc.

Too many times, bands pick a studio because it purely makes sense logistically. Pick a studio because it is the right place to record your CD, even if that means driving an extra 30 minutes each way.

• DON’T pick a studio soley based on catch phrases or brand names of equipment (i.e. Neumann, ProTools, etc.).

Although many brands of recording gear have great reputations and are costly, this doesn’t neccesarily make your recording better. A great song recorded on a microcassette is still a great song. People cannot hear brand names. You will only attract listeners with good songs that are performed and recorded well. Not because you used the most popular mic around. Not to mention the fact that “Great Equipment + Bad Engineer = Bad Sounding CD”.

• DON’T pick a studio just because your producer "always works there."

Comfortability aside, even if a producer insists that you work at a certain place, always explore your options. The exception would be if your producer owns the studio you will be working at. In that case, he can probably manipulate the studio's rates to make things more affordable for you.

All too many times bands hinge the fate of their entire project on any one or two of these decisions. In the end, what they end up with is a severe case of disappointment when the recording does not meet up to their initial expectations.