Studio Secrets: Getting the Most Out of Your Session

Are You the Truth in the Booth?

So you wrote the lyrics. You rehearsed them over and over—under your breath, out loud, maybe even in front of a friend. You scratched, deleted, rewrote, and polished until every word hit the way you wanted. Finally… it’s studio time.

The studio isn’t just a room with a mic. It’s a place where we lay our souls bare. Where time stops, and what we create becomes immortal. Bob Marley, Malcolm X, Billie Holiday—they didn’t just perform; they left themselves behind in their recordings. These are echoes that survive, teaching, inspiring, haunting, and guiding long after the world moves on.

Every recording is literally a record—a timestamp. Like a photograph frozen in time. A vibration engraved into memory. A groove in the vinyl of life.

So yes—the studio deserves respect. Entering it unprepared isn’t just a disservice to yourself; it’s a disservice to the art. At Soul Trust Records, we’ve spent years studying the science of recording and engineering music, and we’re here to share the essentials.

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Before the Studio

Writing and recording go hand in hand. Professional musicians write with the studio in mind. They don’t wait until the mic is hot to start figuring things out.

Be prepared. Know your lyrics. Know your flow. Have your song structured—chorus, verses, bridge, bars, and all. Rehearse it to yourself, out loud, in front of others if you can. The more confident you are, the better your session will go—and the more you help your engineer help you.

Choose the right studio. Not all studios are created equal. Check hourly rates, equipment, and services offered. Ask other musicians whose work you admire where they recorded.

Reputation matters: an engineer who understands your genre can make a huge difference. Do your homework. Shop around until you find the space that fits your vision.

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At the Studio

You’ve booked the perfect studio. The clock is ticking. Here’s how to get the most out of your session.

Respect the Time

Time is money. Be punctual. Late arrivals waste the engineer’s time, eat into your session, and build a reputation you don’t want. Honor your schedule.

Stay Clear-Headed

Yes, the music world and substance use often intersect, but the booth is no place for hazy judgment. Cottonmouth, slurred words, or shaky timing will ruin takes. Smoke can even harm expensive equipment. If you must indulge, do it after recording, not before.

Warm Up Your Instrument

Your body is your instrument. Hydrate, rest, eat lightly, sip hot tea with honey, suck on a lemon, do vocal scales—whatever gets you ready. Some pros, like Erykah Badu, have quirky rituals. She said before she performs on the mic, she eats some potato chips to oil her throat. Find the ritual that works for you and honor it.

Respect Your Engineer

Your engineer isn’t just pushing buttons—they shape how your song comes to life. Pick someone who loves what they do, specializes in your genre, and gives honest feedback. R&B mixes differently than hip hop, just like rock differs from jazz. Be open to suggestions. Listen, consider, but remember: it’s still your art.

Learn the Basics of the Booth

Know the workflow: punch-ins, ad-libs, doubles. Know your bars, your structure, your arrangement. Think of your engineer like a tailor: they can’t make the perfect suit if they don’t know your size.

Communicate Clearly

Be clear about what you need:

• Are you recording vocals only, or instruments too?

• Hook first or verse first?

• Need the engineer to extend the beat?

• Do you need WAV files for future mixing?

Your engineer isn’t a mind reader. Clarity is key.

Limit Distractions

Recording is intimate. Don’t fill the room with random people. Only bring those directly involved or offering valuable guidance. Make sure anyone present understands the need for focus.

Prepare for the Show Version

Have the engineer create a show version of your track—main vocals muted—so you can practice or perform later without hassle. Bring a thumb drive to save your files on the spot.

Understand Costs

Don’t expect the engineer to mix and master for free. Most will provide a rough mix, but mixing and mastering are usually additional services. Know what’s included and budget accordingly.

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Recording is sacred work. It’s where your soul meets the microphone, where hours of preparation become immortal vibrations. Respect the space, respect the engineer, respect yourself.

If you consider yourself a real musician, take these practices seriously. Prepare, rehearse, communicate, and honor the craft. Your recordings will reflect it—and your career will thank you.

Peace.