Windmill Sound Recording Studio Edinburgh

Come Prepared

1. Make sure everyone knows the date and time of the session, has transport etc.

2. Bring everything you need

You don't want to forfeit a session just because you broke a drum stick, forgot the lyric sheets etc.

Better to bring a piece of equipment that you don't use than to wish you had brought it.

3. And on that note... bring a list of song names with tempos (and tempo changes).

Bring lyrics sheets and song structure for the engineer, this will make recording much simpler. Chances are that at some point you are going to say "just drop me in at the second verse". Now do you want me to listen through and guess where it is? Go on, help me out. And believe me, I won't be surprised it the backing singer doesn't know the words.

Ultimately the sound engineer can only record what is put in front of him so...

4. Make sure your instrument is in good condition.

• This includes voice: If you have a heavy cold, were partying all night, or practised until you were raw, it probably won't be worth your while coming.
• For guitars change your strings AND ensure they are stretched before coming - your instrument will sound much better. If you are not good at stretching them then do it a day or so in advance. Use Fast Fret - unless you really like string noise. Have you checked your intonation recently? Have you considered a professional set-up? I can put you in touch with a professional guitar technician. Bring spare strings.
• For Drum Kits are your heads in good condition? if not change them and let them settle in for a day or two before recording. Are your cymbals about to splinter? that thing that was about to go, will probably break during your best take. Bring a drum key, moon gel, and all your favourite gizmos - gorrilla snot, sex wax, etc. Bring spare sticks - my drum mat is full of splinters. Oh and don't forget your throne.
• I know you love that glockenspiel, melodica etc. but is it at concert pitch? If everybody else has to tune to it, it better not ruin their performance.

5. Good Gear

If your instruments are not great why not beg, borrow or hire some professional quality gear for the session.

6. Know your stuff

The studio is not a place to practice (or at least its an expensive form of practice). Everything should already just about perfect before you come, so that tracking is just a question of setting up and doing a minimal number of takes. That includes arrangements. Have your solos and backing vocals already worked out and practiced. If your vocal arrangements are complex, have you practiced just the vocals without instruments?

7. Limits

Many miracles are performed by sound engineers, but they can only work with what is in front of them, so at the end of the day the quality of your performance is all important, closely followed by the quality of your instruments and of course your material.

8. Turn your mobile to silent.

9. All takes start and end with silence. If the last chord/crash is not to be damped allow it to fade to silence before you talk, move, creak a chair, swear, etc. Even if you think it isn't the best take. So many useable takes are ruined because one player decided to give his opinion before the sound faded away, or have to have a cut-off rather than a natural fade because a player could resist a little fourish, or have a chair creak. Just do yourself a favour and have some discipline for a few seconds.

Attitude

1. Be Professional

I love a drink as much as the next guy but... Turn up sober. Most recreational substances inhibit coordination and memory, and negatively effect your hearing as well as your perception of pitch and timing. You may sound better to yourself, but listen to that recording once you're sober - ouch.

2. Who is in charge ?

I am happy to produce, you can bring a producer, or you can nominate One member of the band to co-produce. I like to keep things relaxed and creative, and motivated. Everyone can chip in with ideas, but the studio is a lousy place place for an argument or battle of the egos.