|
By Ruan De Lange
If you have dreams of becoming the next million-dollar voice - but have not
had a single experience recording before - your first session in a clinical,
professional recording studio, might be slightly nerve-wrecking or overwhelming
- if you have no idea what to expect.
And many engineers or producers, in their down-to-business nature, won't always
take the time to put you at ease.
So here are some pointers which can help you make it a much more pleasant,
even enjoyable and rewarding experience:
1. Go for a pre-recording brief or studio tour
Nothing puts you quite as at ease, as familiarizing yourself with the alien
environment of dials, knobs, lights and microphones BEFORE you step into the
booth and deliver your talent.
When you make a booking, try to do so in person, at the studio, on a day or
time it is not busy - and ask if you could just quickly see, and acquaint yourself
with the surroundings - before you make payment.
This way - it will not be so alien on the day you arrive for your booking.
2. Ask for a pre-recording sound-check if possible
If time allows, and the studio is courteous enough - ASK if you may quickly
hear what it would be like in front of the microphone - with the headphones
on. Be upfront about it - and explain that it helps you calm your nerves, to
do a better recording on the day.
Here's a BIG secret:
Most engineers and producers are AS UNCOMFORTABLE dealing with your nerves,
as YOU are - so if you explain that a sound check before the time, will help
you better deal with this, MOST of them would be willing to comply, for the
sake of a smooth recording on the day, and be happy to let you do this in advance.
3. Ask what is expected of you
Different engineers and producers might have slightly different styles and
ways of working, with different setups.
Ask what is expected of you, for them to have the best material to work with.
Ask for the do's and don'ts.
Having a clear idea of what is expected of you, will go a long way towards
making you comfortable and more confident when delivering your performance.
4. Know your lyrics and song by heart
Don't wait until the day before to learn your lyrics. Make sure you are so
practised, that it's almost second nature and you can do the performance without
even thinking, or blinking.
Most studios allow for you to pin-up the lyrics within reading distance behind
the microphone - just so you have it there to steady your nerves, but don't
rely on this.
Ask whether this is the case, before you enter the studio for your session,
so you are fully prepared. Bring a printed copy of the lyrics with you - if
that is the case.
Get some decent sleep the night before - take a sleeping tablet if you have
to.
Make sure you arrive 5-10 minutes before the time to re-acquaint yourself
with the environment, but not so early that you interrupt another session -
as you'll just be forced to sit outside waiting - which does not help for nerves.
Avoid sugar and sweets at least one day before - and if you're prone to a
scratchy throat, dairy as well just to be safe.
Make sure your voice is warmed up, by doing the proper vocal exercises, especially
if your booking is in the morning - try not to book too early.
5. Don't be afraid to communicate
When stepping inside the booth and putting the headphones on, remember that
in most cases, the engineer or producer hears a different version of your performance,
on a different set of speakers.
They don't necessarily hear things the way you do, and until you don't TELL
them - they won't.
Don't be afraid to ASK them to adjust levels for you on your voice or the
music, until you are comfortable - even if it is required multiple times. You
are a paying client, and you need to HEAR what you are doing, allowing your
best performance.
NOT DOING SO, is like ordering a coffee, and being too afraid to ask the waitress
for sugar or milk.
Different vocalists have different preferences - and if you don't speak up,
the engineer or producer will most likely just assume that everything is fine.
6. Relax: Don't apologise, or be melodramatic
It is almost guaranteed, that in your first recording - you'll make many mistakes,
be overwhelmed, second-guessing yourself. Even the most famous recording stars,
had a first time.
Instead of frantically apologising or making a scene, ask for guidance and
feedback instead.
Most engineers and producers have done this hundreds of times before. Taking
the attention of yourself, by asking for guidance, gives you time to listen
and compose yourself, for the next attempt. BREATHE.
Stick to the business - if you make a mistake, an engineer or producer's natural
first response, will be to stop immediately, cue the recording again at a drop-in
point, and look over to see if you're ready to try again. This is part of their
job, and to them it is second nature. You don't need to be embarrassed or over
react.
In some instances, they'll ask out of courtesy - even though it might seem
totally aloof and mechanical, whether everything is all-right and you can hear
yourself properly.
DON'T take this personally. All they're checking is that you have proper feedback
levels and are comfortable - often a common problem if a vocalist makes a mistake.
As soon as you make an error - LET IT GO.
Accept that this is a natural part of recording sometimes- the more hours
you get to spend behind the microphone, the better you'll get. DON'T beat yourself
up about it - it wastes time, spoils the mood and momentum, and just gets you
in a worse and worse state for the next take.
Just pretend it never happened, compose yourself, and move on to the new take
immediately, without remorse or apology.
7. Power of State: Imagining your best performance
One trick that often helps, is to get your mind and body in a simulated state,
which empowers you (neurologically) to deliver your best on queue.
Close your eyes for a moment behind the microphone, and pick a specific moment
in your memory where you achieved success in singing. It might be a contest
you won, a live performance that got a standing applause, anything.
Re-live that moment fully in your mind, and then draw it into your body, using
ALL your senses - what it looked like, sounded like, smelt like, FELT like
- in that moment as it happened.
Now open your eyes and give your best performance ever, as if in that moment.
Additional Tip:
• If you still struggle, after you second or third
recording - consider getting a specialist studio vocal coach for a few sessions,
to teach you the ins and outs of making better recordings
If you apply the insights above - making recordings will become a pleasurable,
easy and rewarding experience for you.
Remember, that engineers and producers also make mistakes - and they have
the benefit of working behind closed doors, often without any time pressure,
when editing and mixing your recordings.
So be sure to get your part right. Though it helps to be polite, don't be
apologetic about it.
Don't wait to get it PERFECT - just get STARTED... right now.
Ruan de Lange is a Published Independent Record Producer, Song-writer, Engineer
and Marketer, previously singed to David Gresham Records, track-listed among
names like Tiesto, Laurent Wolf and others. If you found this article helpful,
please rate it now, and share with your friends. For more useful ideas on how
to get your big break as an unsigned artist or producer - without selling your
soul, or signing your rights away, click over to http://www.primetalententertainment.com now.
|
