Before You Record at South Main Studios

South Main Studios

Before you record at SMS, it helps us to know more about the artists we are recording so we can capture your vibe and essence and "what you're about" as we engineer your project and design your promotionals. If you have any musical influences, send us links to those artist sites of interest, so we can also prepare on our end.

Producers should be in place before recording begins. SMS can recommend one if needed. However, having a producer for your project is not mandatory for recording at SMS, or for getting our very best in engineering and design. We only strongly suggest it, especially if you are recording something larger than just a demo. You should have arranged your musicians and vocalists participating in the studio recordings.

MORE TIPS BEFORE COMING TO THE STUDIO:

It's a good idea to have your music already copyrighted or in the process of being copyrighted (see the copyright page for more information). SMS does not hold any copyrights of any artist we record, unless a special collaboration agreement between the artist and SMS is reached beforehand. SMS does not keep any hardcopies of an artist's music/lyric sheets.
Rehearse well and be prepared. Try to have all the kinks worked out of the music beforehand. Be ready to begin recording. Practice and warm up before arriving, or pre-schedule practice time into the total time you've booked in the studio.
Know your intros, transitions, endings, and solos, but be prepared to be flexible when you record, as your producer may want to explore new directions. Map out each song on paper before arriving and print out and bring with you 2 extra copies each of your lyric and mapping sheets for our engineer(s), complete with song dynamics, instrumentation, and vocal ques. We will keep your music hardcopies in your file in the studio during the length of your project, for everyone's convenience. After the project is completed, the hardcopies will be returned.
If you already met with a producer at SMS, then we will have the mapping sheets already. Still bring the extra lyric sheets. Know the feel you want for each song. Let the engineer know the length of each song before you begin recording.
Bring extra strings and batteries with you each time, as SMS does not provide these items. Have instruments tuned and ready to go, or do this first thing when you arrive.
If recording acoustically, avoid wearing any loud jewelry or clothing, bangle bracelets, etc. Or, be prepared to take off such items during recording.
To save the clock, it's best not to talk or move around during active recording and wait a full 8 beats after the song ends before doing so.
While recording, if you make a mistake, don't panic but please point it out. Most of the time we can punch in the correct part in the next take, or at a later time. If you're having problems recording a song for some reason, we suggest you put it aside and we move on to something else, or take a short break to regroup. Having a producer is key to keeping you on track, literally!
Get a good night's sleep the night before recording. We like it when you arrive in a good mood!
Remember that recording is fun. Don't stress out. Enjoy the process. Relax!