Getting Rehearsals Ready for Recording

Going into a studio is something that is different than practicing or from performing.  It's a different art form in music and takes some different steps in order to get your tracks exactly right.  In fact, it's become such an art form, that there are now several musicians who are simply studio musicians because of the different techniques that are used.  If you are getting ready to record, you will want to make sure that you rehearse in a way that gets you ready to record.

The number one rule to remember about recording is that you can't miss a beat.  If you do, it will cause everything else to be off.  Because everything is typically recorded in layers, it combines the need to stay exactly on tempo with the song that is being recorded.  Make sure that you know the tempo and don't miss it when you are practicing to record.

The second rule of thumb for recording is to rehearse with layers as one of the options in mind.  While most studios will allow you to record all of the instruments at once, your instrument will still be singled out in order to get the rest of the process right.  This means that you want to make sure that you can move around with your instrument and know the song forwards and backwards.

Along those lines, always have starting and stopping points that work well with you in one song.  If there are any flaws while recording, they can be punched in.  You will want to have specific points that you know you can start at again so that you can record over any mistakes that you did make.  Dividing up your pieces and learning them in segments will help while you are recording.

Another aspect to keep in mind with the rehearsal before recording is to know what to practice and know what can be plugged in.  For example, getting louder or software can be manipulated by the production process, as well as the sound and resonance of what you are playing.  It's not necessary to put in the extra ornaments and marks that are often times found in music for a performance or practice, unless you definitely know you want it to stand out.

With all of these concepts in mind as an individual, you can then begin to think about how the blend will change when it moves into the studio.  Even though every instrument will be on a different track, you will want to determine how this will best fit in, what the possibilities are for balance and what you want the end product to sound like.  This will help you to get used to the right sound and build the correct balance from the concepts that you think fit best.

With these different tips and tricks, your recordings will go much smoother and you will simply be able to follow your musical script to get what you want laid out on the right track.  If you prepare in this way, you will find that your abilities to record will be much easier than if you go in without having any preparation.  It will save time and space, and will allow those who are producing the CD to have an easier time putting your CD together.