5 Things to Do Before Your First Studio Session
21 September 2026
Studio Owner
409 views
Studio time moves fast. The clock does not care that you are still deciding on your second verse. Here is how to make every minute count.
1. Rehearse to the actual instrumental
Singing your song in the shower is not rehearsal. Put the beat on, sing it start to finish at performance volume, and do it at least ten times. You will discover the breathing problems before you are standing in front of a microphone.
2. Finalise your lyrics on paper
Writing in the booth is the single biggest waste of studio time. Have every word decided. If you want space to freestyle, book extra time specifically for it.
3. Bring the right instrumental file
We need the untagged WAV or high-quality MP3, not a YouTube rip. If you bought a beat, download the trackout stems too — they give us far more control in the mix.
4. Rest your voice for 24 hours
No shouting, no smoking, no late night before. Drink warm water, avoid dairy on the day, and arrive at least fifteen minutes early to warm up properly.
5. Know what you want it to sound like
Bring two or three reference tracks that capture the energy, vocal texture and mix you are chasing. One sentence like "I want the vocal up front like this record" saves an hour of guessing.
Do these five things and you will leave with something you are proud of.
1. Rehearse to the actual instrumental
Singing your song in the shower is not rehearsal. Put the beat on, sing it start to finish at performance volume, and do it at least ten times. You will discover the breathing problems before you are standing in front of a microphone.
2. Finalise your lyrics on paper
Writing in the booth is the single biggest waste of studio time. Have every word decided. If you want space to freestyle, book extra time specifically for it.
3. Bring the right instrumental file
We need the untagged WAV or high-quality MP3, not a YouTube rip. If you bought a beat, download the trackout stems too — they give us far more control in the mix.
4. Rest your voice for 24 hours
No shouting, no smoking, no late night before. Drink warm water, avoid dairy on the day, and arrive at least fifteen minutes early to warm up properly.
5. Know what you want it to sound like
Bring two or three reference tracks that capture the energy, vocal texture and mix you are chasing. One sentence like "I want the vocal up front like this record" saves an hour of guessing.
Do these five things and you will leave with something you are proud of.
