What to Expect From Your First Recording Studio Session
Walking into a professional recording studio for the first time can feel a little daunting, but it really doesn’t need to.
At Styles Recording Studio in Exeter, the aim is to make sessions relaxed, creative and enjoyable from the moment you arrive. Whether you’re recording your first ever song, working on an original track or developing a larger project, we’ll talk through what you want to achieve and take things from there.
BEFORE YOUR SESSION
A little preparation goes a long way.
If you’re recording to a backing track, it’s useful to send it over beforehand so everything can be ready when you arrive. If you’re bringing an instrument, demo or original song, we can discuss what you’d like to record and how you’d like the finished track to sound.
You don’t need to arrive with every detail worked out. Part of the recording process is developing ideas and finding what works best for the song.
GETTING COMFORTABLE IN THE STUDIO
The first part of the session is usually spent getting settled, setting up microphones and getting a comfortable headphone mix.
There’s no rush to get a perfect take straight away. We’ll normally record a few passes, listen back and build the performance from there.
Styles is a private recording studio, so sessions are relaxed and focused on the artist rather than feeling like you’re on a production line.
RECORDING YOUR PERFORMANCE
Every artist works differently.
Some people prefer to record a song from beginning to end, while others get better results working through it section by section. We can also record additional harmonies, backing vocals, instruments or production ideas where they help the track.
I work directly with artists throughout the session, offering as much or as little input as needed. Sometimes that simply means making sure the technical side disappears into the background; other times it can involve helping with arrangement, performance or production decisions.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER RECORDING?
Once the recording is complete, the next stage is editing and mixing.
This is where the individual recordings are balanced, shaped and processed into a finished track. Depending on the project, this may happen during the session or afterwards.
The studio combines a professional analogue front end, centred around the Trident 68 console, with modern digital recording and editing, giving us plenty of flexibility while retaining the character of analogue equipment.
HOW MUCH STUDIO TIME WILL I NEED?
That depends entirely on the project.
A straightforward vocal session may only require a few hours, while an original song involving multiple instruments, production and mixing will naturally take longer.
If you’re unsure, just tell us a little about what you’d like to record and we can recommend a realistic amount of studio time before you book.
THINKING ABOUT BOOKING A SESSION?
If you’re looking for a recording studio in Exeter and would like to talk through an idea, get in touch and tell us a little about your project.
Whether it’s your first time in a studio or you’ve been recording for years, the aim is always the same — to create a relaxed environment, capture a great performance and make a recording you’re proud of.