Preparing your first studio session: the checklist

One week before

• Set the goal of the session. How many tracks, which parts: verses, hooks, backing vocals, ad-libs. A clear goal keeps you focused.
• Finish your beats. Export each beat as a WAV, at the final tempo, and write down the BPM and key. If you work with a producer, get the separate stems too.
• Learn your lyrics. Reading them on a phone during the take can be heard. Rehearse them on the beat, out loud.
• Pick 2 or 3 reference tracks. They show the engineer the sound you want, better than any description.
• Talk to the studio. Tell them what you are recording and what you expect: they will prepare the room and the right mic.

The day before and on the day

• Rest your voice. Sleep, drink water, avoid shouting or straining the day before.
• Bring your files on two supports. A USB stick and a download link: a missing file is paid time.
• Arrive on time, not an hour early. The session starts at the booked time, and setup counts in it.
• Bring room-temperature water, and avoid dairy right before singing.

During the session

• Start with the track you know best: you build confidence and the engineer sets up the sound.
• Do several full takes before fixing details.
• Listen to the engineer: they hear what you cannot hear in your headphones.
• Keep an eye on the clock: decide before the end what absolutely has to be recorded.

After the session

Ask for the files in a clear format: raw takes, separate stems and a first bounce to listen to. Sort them by track and by version: in three weeks, you will not remember which take was the good one.