A recording session involves a process that takes preparation and planning. The first consideration of any musician is their music, whether planning a performance or a recording session. Preparation is essential. You must know your music. Another element, whether performing or recording, is how you want to sound, that is, what you want to project as a musician. This can include your “image” as a musician, as an artist, and as a member of society.

If you are planning a recording session, you want to prepare for a release-quality product that deserves lots of airplay and is marketable. It must have good sound quality. Quality production recording sessions will include recording the basic tracks of rhythm and chord instruments; overdubs with additions of vocals, percussion, and solos; mixing down to blend all recorded components; and mastering the finished product.

In finding a recording studio that meets criteria that you have set for getting the best product from your recording session, you will need to consider the engineer, the facility, the cost, and the equipment used in the studio for a recording session.

The first consideration in preparing for a recording session is the engineer. An experienced master engineer has an enormous influence on the sound quality of the finished product.

A recording studio that is well-equipped should be your second consideration. Good equipment for a recording session is important to getting a quality product. The facility itself should feel comfortable and provide an environment that allows your creativity to flow.

Cost is a consideration. Though an hourly rate for a recording session may sound better than a project rate, think again. A well-equipped facility and experienced staff will result in a quality recording in less time. You will likely get more for your dollar from a recording session by going with a project rate in a professional studio with an experienced master engineer.

Studio equipment should be considered for any recording session, but quality here is much more important than quantity. In the end, the engineer is more important that either quality or quantity of recording session equipment. Read up on equipment before talking with studio representatives. You will want to know about quality of microphones, preamps, outboard gear, and recording and editing systems, remembering that a master engineer will be able to determine the quality of sound in the finished product coming from your recording session.

The goals you are seeking from a recording session should be discussed with any studios you are considering using. You will need to set time and financial budgets, which include travel and accommodations. Cost of production is generally based on days required to generate a finished product. Base rates for recording sessions may fall between $500 and $600 per day, which translates to between $50 and $70 per hour.

You need to make sure that you are well rested before a recording session is planned, and that you are ready for long hours of tedious work. You also need to make sure that your instruments are in tip-top condition and that you know their music. Each production resulting from a recording session will contain 10 to 12 songs, so you should arrive at a recording session with a list of 15 or more well-practiced songs – and be ready to play them all.

The simplest acoustic ensembles can expect a recording session to require at least a week to complete, and costs to completion can top $6,000. Large bands require more complex productions and may take three or four weeks to complete. Costs increase, of course, and can top $15,000.

This article provides an overview of recording session. If you would like to submit an article about recording session or any other music-related subject, please feel free to do so here at Media Positive Radio.