For most people, recording a CD is a big commitment of both time and money, so it's a good idea to be prepared before you enter the studio. Here are a few tips to get you prepared for a productive recording session:

Check Your Guitars
Before you pay money to record your instruments, make sure they are in the best possible condition. Check your guitars for fret buzzing, electronics issues, intonation issues, tuning problems, and anything else that makes an unwanted sound. Make sure all your guitar cables are in good shape and that your effects pedals have brand new batteries. The day before you go into the studio, restring your guitars and make sure you stretch your strings, and have some extra strings around in case you rock too hard on that lead and break strings while recording.

Check Your Drums
Drum heads should be new, and you should have extra heads just in case. Tune your drums! A well tuned drum set can make the world of difference on a recording. Also, check all of your pedals for squeaks, binding, and rattles, and correct any issues. Make sure all of your cymbals are in decent shape and that cymbal stands are rattle free.

The Band Must Be Ready
Make sure everyone knows their parts inside and out. Unless you want to waste a lot of time in the studio, writing and rehearsing songs in the studio is a not a good use of time...be ready before you go into the studio. If you make sure all parts are written, arranged, and rehearsed before you start recording you will be far more productive in the studio. Make sure to tune up before each and EVERY take. You'd hate to nail the lead of your life and have it be out of tune. Ugghh.

You Must Be Read
Make sure you are in the best possible physical condition before entering the studio. If you are run down, goofed out, buzzed up, or just plain not on the same level as the rest of your band, the end result will likely be ugly. It will take a lot more time and effort to nail those tough parts. Be sure you've practiced everything as much as you can before you record. You'd hate to have everyone waiting for you to nail that lead.

Vocals Must Be Ready
If you have vocal duties, make sure your voice is ready to perform. Be sure to sing every day for at least a week before going into the studio. If you are sick or have voice problems at all, you need to reschedule. Don't drink carbonated beverages before or while recording. Keep your throat clear by drinking tons of water.

Paperwork
Make sure before you go into the studio, you have all of your lyrics printed and organized. Also, print out any necessary sheet music or notes for other band members. You don't want to spend time in the studio "remembering what that line is." The more you have organized and down on paper, the smoother things will go while recording.

Check Your Recording Equipment
Make sure your PC and software are operating correctly. Also, make sure any effects, keyboards, mics, and cables are all in good working condition. Anything that makes extra noise, needs to be replaced. Make sure you have enough mic stands, and mic cables. Also, be sure you have enough working headphones for the band.

Check Your Studio Space
Make sure your studio space is clean and free of clutter. Also, plug in your mics, put on some headphones and see what you hear. If you hear your sister in the next room listening to Avril, then you need to do some work on soundproofing. Also, one of the biggest noise offenders is your PC. Heating and air conditioners are also bad noise offenders in the home studio. Try and eliminate any and every extra noise that may be picked up while recording.

Stay Relaxed and Focused
Last but not least, relax and have fun. If you're confident you know your parts, they'll be easier to nail. Keep your eye on the final goal. Which is a great sounding recording of you playing the best that you possibly can. Have fun and relax, your music will shine through.

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