Many local artists miss a huge step in the album recording process: pre-production. This is a vital time in which you make sure the details of the songs are all hammered out before you set foot in an studio environment where you are spending money. Because I have some production experience, I know how to best anticipate typical studio landmines which saves money that can be used for promotion and other related expenditures.
Currently, I’m in the pre-production phase right now for my album, and my project is similar to most mainstream band production techniques. (I’ve produced both classical and jazz, in which production wildly differs from that of rock). Here are just a few of my guidelines for this project:
1) Keep writing songs. There is incredible excitement and creative energy as you approach studio dates, so harness this momentum.
2) Song arrangements are key. Remember, if you have 5 people talking to you, all at once, all the time, its overwhelming, right? Same is true in music. The arrangement of the song hinders more on who is NOT playing, verses who is.
3) Guitar parts should be written out EXACTLY the way you want it played. Otherwise, when you get to the studio it can become impossible to play exactly how you intend.
4) Demo as much as you can. I use various demo tools to help me get perspective on how songs and parts sound together. Listening objectively away from the guitar/piano and asking critical questions can make or brake any record.
5) Don’t settle. Work hard at your record. Make sure what you are saying makes sense to others, especially your intended audience. I’ve heard AMAZING albums recorded in home studios, or on simple DAW interfaces. The main reasons are: the songs are great, the performances are memorable, and the passion of the craft oozes out of every second of music.
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