How To Choose The Perfect Studio For Your Recording Project

We know it can be hard to find a studio that you trust to record your music. It is a major decision when picking someone to take your most cherished writings and turn them into a fully produced hit song that you hear so vividly in your own head. Don’t fret - we are here to help with this decision!

We’ve had countless new clients coming to us explaining that they didn’t feel like their artistic vision was met when they recorded elsewhere. This can be for many reasons, but one reason is that a lot of studios sell their time without a producer, and rush you through the process in order to make sure you are in and out quickly. Lots of Studios are out there to make money, and are not invested in the final product.

We want to stop this problem from happening! Here are three ways to find a studio that will work for you, and not take from you.

1. Are there artists on your level that have a recoding that you are blown away by? Ask them where they got it done.

A lot of artists love to help other artists. Ask them. They will be honest with you and tell you their experience. One of the best compliments we have at Studio45b is a client referral.

Ask other artists questions and research what their process was.

Did they work with a producer? What musicians did they hire? How long did the recording process take? How fast was the turnaround? How long did mixing and mastering take? Did they feel like their artist input was heard in the studio? Did they feel rushed? Would they do anything differently the next time around? Was there anything they would’ve changed?

We could go on and on with a million questions, but the main point is to ask a million questions to people in the industry that you trust. The more you know, the better the outcome will be.

2. Talk to multiple studios before you decide on a winner.

Research online studios in your area (or that record remotely) that you would love to work with. Read through their entire website, listen to the projects that they’ve worked on, and research their clientele. Research their team and see who on their team you think you would vibe with. We use the word “vibe” because that is what a studio is all about! Setting the best recording “vibe.”

Do not settle on the very first studio you come across. There are a ton of very talented producers, engineers and coaches to choose from. Make sure you are making an educated decision before you take action and book a date.

If they give you an option to have a free phone call with them, absolutely do it. It’s so important to utilize every chance you can to get to know the people that will be working on your project with you. Make sure to ask them those millions of questions that we mentioned in point #1!

3. Know your budget.

We get it. Recording at Abbey Road Studios might be a huge dream of yours (that can absolutely happen some day!) but before you get too far into loving a studio, make sure that you ask what the prices are. We don’t want you to be disappointed.

We talked a little bit about this last week in our blog post. (you can find that post right here.) We wanted to expand a little more on this!

You might not know your budget right off the bat. Perhaps you need to call around to a few different studios before you figure out what recording costs are, before you know what budget you have in mind for your own project. Calling around and asking for prices will give you a better understanding of what a full project might cost. Once you figure that out, and your own finances, then search for studios within that budget.

Our point is, find a studio that you can afford before you fall in love with a studio that you can’t afford.

If you’re ready to do some research, contact us today for our rates.

4. Decide which producer to work with, and if one is needed at all.

Believe it or not, a lot of people aren’t quite sure what a producer actually does. (If you’d like more info on that, check out our previous blog here!) We will get more into detail on our next post, but here is a quick rundown of a producers job.

Generally speaking a music producer overseas and understands the project as a whole, alongside the artist themselves. A producer knows how to create a certain sound within certain genres and can help the artist pull bring those sounds to life on their recording.

Lets give an example. What makes Brad Paisley’s guitar playing so different from John Mayer’s guitar playing? A producer knows that a Brad Paisley guitar tone will come from a Fender Telecaster, and a John Mayer signature sound will come from a Fender Stratocaster. Not only that, a producer knows what notes, bends, stylization and chords make a country sound, and knows the difference in that sound and a pop rock sound.

A good producer will know the styling, tone and instruments in certain genres and how to get your song sounding the way you want it to sound.

There are instances where you might not need a producer. We will cover that next week on our blog about finding a producer for your project.

Contact us here for your free consult call with our head producer, Grady James.

5. Listen to your gut.

It feels like we say that quite often. However, it is true. You need to find a studio that you are comfortable with. That comfortable sound will come across in your recording. Choose a studio that listens to you, pays attention to you, and is excited about your project. You will know when you chat with them if it is the right fit or not. Follow your instinct and you won’t be wrong!

If you are thinking of launching your project into action, give us a call today! We would love to help you on your recording journey.

***Written by Singer/Songwriter Danielle Todd ***

Three Reasons to Get Vocal Lessons Before Heading Into the Studio

We are going to nip this right in the bud—needing vocal lessons does not make you a bad vocalist. In fact, it makes you the best kind of vocalist: one who puts product and progress before pride! Just as the best authors need editors for their novels, and the most successful therapists need a professional of their own, and every great cosmetologist needs someone else to apply their touch-up color, so do we vocalists need vocal coaches. Whether you’re doing a few gigs a month at your local brewery or you’re Lady Gaga on tour, every vocalist benefits from a vocal coach. 

1.  Studio Stamina and Spot-Training

Whether you are in the studio for a few hours or a few days, take after take of vocals can 

be taxing on anyone’s cords. Add any nerves or jitters into the mix and you may find your voice is just not as controlled as you’d like for it to be, or lasting in quality throughout the day. Then you get frustrated and start to spiral, which only makes matters worse. Many singers start to get fatigued after just a couple takes. A few great lessons can help with all of this.

As vocalists, we have to know when to “bring it,” and when to bring it back. A vocal coach will teach you about how to conserve your vocal energy for the whole session, how to make the hard stuff sound and feel easy, and what to do to give yourself rest throughout the recording process. You will learn how to give it your all while still pacing yourself. You can even select a coach that works specifically with session musicians to ensure you are getting the best expertise for the studio. Many of these coaches will work with you on the specific song(s) you plan on recording to help perfect your product and map out a vocal plan for each tune, touching on so many areas of technique so you are good to go for the whole session. Which leads us to our next point…

2. Sustainability

Coaches who have studied and trained in-depth are so knowledgeable on the human voice and its mechanics. In addition to maintaining stamina throughout the session, a vocal coach can teach you how to properly take care of your instrument long-term so that you can rely on and build a career around it. A huge part of that maintenance is dependent upon properly warming up and down (yes, down!), engaging breath rather than muscle, and other basic techniques to correct unhealthy or damaging singing. Vocal lessons can provide so many easy tools and exercises to get you on the right track.

You may have seen vocalists (or are one, yourself) who can do crazy riffs and runs, “screlt,” or add a rasp to their tone that feels so soulful, but quickly feel or sound tired, strained, or even experience pain after just an hour of gigging, or long days in the studio. We’re sure you’ve heard this a hundred times, but just in case— it should never be painful to sing. If you are experiencing pain while singing, that is a giant red flag that you could hugely benefit from just a little coaching to ensure healthy singing and avoid vocal fatigue or even injury. Remember— you don’t have to give up your unique sound and magic in order to sing healthily and sustainably, but integrating those things will take trust and patience. You’ve got this!

3. Awareness

Lastly but probably most importantly, another set of trained ears and eyes will be able to help you become more aware of your particular vocal strengths, pitfalls, and all details in between regarding your unique vocal constitution. Once you start vocal lessons, you will be shocked at how many vocal habits you have developed that you weren’t even aware of. Not only that, but your coach will show you how to lean further into your strengths and develop your weaknesses. For example:

If you tend to sound nasally on certain vowels or within a certain range, your vocal coach will help to identify those tendencies and give you tips and tricks to fix your tone that you can apply quickly in the studio. If you have a well-developed belt or chest voice but struggle to maintain a healthy mixed or floaty head voice, or if you have a gorgeous breathy tone but want to build more power and presence into your voice, your coach will be able to show you short and long-term exercises to help melt those registers together. You might find that you sound really “pinched” or strained during high notes which feels entirely out of your control, but a vocal coach may easily identify tension in your neck and shoulders and show you how to remedy that. Many of the best vocal coaches incorporate methods and solutions that seemingly have nothing to do with the voice itself; including breathing exercises, stretches and yoga or meditation, lifestyle changes, and more. Trust them, and you will get to know your instrument  a lot better. You know what they say, the first step toward change is awareness.

If you’re planning to head into the studio soon to record a single, EP, or full-length album, we at Studio 45b could not recommend quality vocal lessons enough. It’s about more than just “sounding better.” It’s about knowing yourself and your voice, and making sure it lasts you a long, long time. Afterall, it is your livelihood! Or at least it’s what brings you a ton of joy. Either way, it’s worth the investment. 

If you’re feeling convinced, Studio 45b offers a chance to connect right now with our professional vocal coach, Danielle Todd. Danielle has 17 years of experience performing, and draws from her own expertise, teachings from top industry professionals, and your specific needs as a vocalist to work on tone, vocal agility, vocal range, timbre, strength, and more. Everything from practical warm-ups, to emotional connection within your vocals, to singing through nerves, to developing the very fundamentals that define your artistic expression, Danielle will elevate your technique and artistry. Ready to chat? Reach out to book a consultation and we’ll talk about exactly what you want and need to take your musicianship to the next level.

We want you to feel healthy, confident, and prepared to come into the studio. Let’s connect today!

***Written by Singer/Songwriter Kayla Lunden ***

How to Prepare Yourself for a Day of Recording

Do you get antsy thinking about heading into the studio for a day of recording? Are you the musician who does nothing but cross your fingers and hope for good vibes, or the type who obsesses over every detail of your EP before the session? A successful day of recording in the studio is all about balance. Here are some long-term insights and short-term tips to enhance your recording experience and make the best of your studio time.

Your body. As musicians, we’ve all been guilty of neglecting our bodies and just hoping they pull through for us; and it’s true— our bodies are amazingly resilient! However, meeting basic physical needs can profoundly impact your recording session and save you time, money, and stress.

• Hydration: As research advances, we’re understanding more about the best way to hydrate (guzzling three glasses of tap water right before your session won’t do what you think it will). Water takes about four hours to even reach your vocal cords! Tap water is also stripped of the minerals our cells need for true absorption. Drinking one glass of water with electrolytes or steeped with fruits/veggies high in sodium, magnesium, potassium, and/or calcium will do more for you than a gallon of tap water. Products like Gainful, LMNT, and Trace Minerals are also great. Read more here.

• Nutrition: It may seem basic, but coming into the studio properly nourished can be a game-changer for a successful recording session. What we produce is contingent on what we consume! Hydrating and anti-inflammatory foods are a great choice for vocal health, even if that means (dare we say) limiting yourself to only... a couple cups of coffee? We’ll circle back. Like we said, balance.

• Rest: Do NOT sleep on this one! Sleep is one of the most important things you can do to prepare your body and mind for recording in the studio. Vocal rest is important. Stepping into the booth after three consecutive nights of 4-hour bar gigs is less than ideal. Not getting enough sleep can affect you physically, cognitively, and put you in such an emotional funk. Which brings us to....

Your mindset. Once you prime your physical body for success (no shakes, tired vocal cords, foggy brain, etc.), you have more energy to spend on your mindset. To get excited and aligned creatively, you may find there are things you need to shed. Here is what we suggest leaving at the door of your session:

1. Other people’s expectations. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take advice from a trusted team of people who know and stand behind your vision. However, we are all guilty of entertaining opinions of those who only know us through social media, or an old mentor, bandmate, or ex’s idea of what we should sound like. Your opinion, ideas, and expectations matter most in our studio. Be present and trust yourself to create the most authentic sound.

2. A self-deprecating attitude. We have all seen wildly talented musicians step into the booth and after a couple imperfect takes, spiral into self-doubt. Insecurity is a productive session’s worst enemy. We are a part of your team now, which means we are here to coach you through your doubts and questions. We believe in you! But we recognize that can only go so far. Confidence and groundedness are key.

At Studio 45b, we believe in finding the sweet spot between planning and leaving room for ideas to take off, branch out, and reroute. This may mean detaching from expectations and connecting with the heart of your project. Some questions to ask yourself before entering the session:

• What are your nonnegotiables?

• What do you want this song/project to “do?” You can think of this technically, but we also encourage you to do so abstractly. What feelings do you want it to evoke in people? Any questions you want it to raise?

• Where are you not sure that the song/project is doing what you want it to? Are there any spots that feel weak, inauthentic, or “filler?”

• If you could release two versions of this song, what would the second version sound like?

• Think of your song in terms of all of the senses. Does it have a texture or color palette? When you picture this song being played, what does the room look like that best showcases it? Who is there? Are you playing it live?

Preparing to record is all about balance. By the time you get in the studio, so much work has already gone into your project— it’s your baby! While it can feel like recording is the pinnacle of all of that hard work, remember that this is just one summit of many in your musical career.

You’re ready! Contact us to book your recording session today.


***Written by Singer/Songwriter Kayla Lunden.

Three ways to prepare yourself for a day in the Studio

We are going to keep this short and sweet! Let’s get right to it.

1. Take into consideration who you are bringing with you into the studio and why.

This is our number one point. Whoever you bring with you into the studio can really make or break the day!

First off, some people want a support system with them on their recording day. We typically tell our clients to bring in one or two people who they trust, and who understand the recording process. The less people in the studio, the better. Too many opinions can lead to disagreements, and it wastes time and your money. Make sure every single person who comes along with you is aware that you call the final shots.

Secondly, multiple people can cause distractions, or noise during recording takes, resulting in wasted time and wasted money. We find that singers, and musicians, can sometimes feel anxious, nervous or feel an immense amount of pressure in front of too many people. We always want our clients to feel relaxed enough to make a mistake, and feel confident enough to try out new ideas on the fly without feeling judged.

We suggest to bring a manager, friend, or family member that is supportive, can capture some social media posts for you.

2. Finalize lyrics and rehearse your band before hand.

It is imperative that your entire band knows their parts like the back of their hand, and that every player feels confident enough to improvise. Too many times we’ve seen singers bring in their own band that was completely under prepared. Your rhythm guitar player should know every chord change, and be well versed enough to change a chord on the fly. Your backup vocalists should be able to hear new vocal harmonies and parts on the spot. Your lead guitar player should have three or four solos completely practiced and figured out before hand, and be able to improvise on those solos on the day of.

If your band is not prepared, it will cost you money. ALSO - No matter HOW strong your band is, make sure they can all play to a metronome.

It can be worth your money to hire a session musician, so as not to waste time with a band member who might not be as quick, skilled or practiced. We can’t stress this enough - being in the studio is not the same as performing live. There are studio cats who have worked in the studio for years and know how to get the proper sound for you. Our producer, Grady James is confident in most instruments, which can save you time and money. Feel free to contact us for connections to amazing studio musicians, or to set up a call with our producer!

3. Make sure you’ve found the right fit.

It is truly a big decision taking your music into a studio. Before you head into the studio be absolutely sure that the team you are working with is producing music that you love. Take the time to research your producer, engineer, and studio. Listen to examples of their work, read testimonials, talk to the producer. Make sure that it feels right. If you don’t vibe with the team, it’ll be hard to feel comfortable in the studio. Research, research, research and take the time to ask questions. If it is a great studio, they will be happy to take the time to make you feel confident, and comfortable.

If you’d like to get to know Studio45b a little better, please set up a free consultation phone call today to see if we are the right fit!

***Written by Danielle Todd***