You probably don’t need to bring a suitcase of sheet music and instruments to your recording session. On the other hand, being unprepared can turn your session into a drain on your money and resources. So how do you find the right balance?
Let’s talk about what you should bring to a recording studio and what you shouldn’t.
Don’t Let Your Music Get Lost in the Shuffle.
Studio Packing List
- Water
- Comfortable Shoes
- Hoodie or Sweater
- Earplugs
- Phone and Charger
- Printed Lyrics
What to Leave at Home
- Album shoot photos
- Your vinyl collection
- Cigarettes
Of course, this is just a general guide. Note that depending on the studio you’re recording in, some of these things may be provided.
Water
When you’re considering essential gear for the studio, it’s easy to overlook the basics. However, hydration is important. Especially if you’re singing, hot water or tea is the way to go.
Lucky for you, there’s no need to bring your own beverages if you’re recording at Bay Eight. We have coffee, tea, and water for you. Most top-rated studios offer refreshments, but be aware that low-budget ones likely won’t include these sorts of amenities.
Bay Eight is where artists find privacy and platinum sound.
21 #1s.
Phone and Charger
- Record content for promotion
- Play reference tracks or demos
You probably wouldn’t dream of leaving your phone at home, but in case you’re worried it could be a distraction, consider how it could be an asset. Communicating with the studio before your session, looking up directions and parking information, playing demos from your voice notes, etc.
You can bring your voice memos, demos, and / or reference tracks via your smartphone (or laptop if you prefer).There are many ways your phone can assist you during a recording session. Bring your charger for long sessions so you don’t have to worry about conserving battery.
Earplugs
While earplugs may seem counterintuitive, it’s essential to protect your ears as a musician. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of carrying earplugs. Concerts, drum recordings, and acoustic feedback are just a few of the things that can expose you to loud or unpleasant sounds.
Click here to book a recording session at Bay Eight Recording Studios Miami. One of our managers will reach to get the details on your individual project and guide you through next steps!
Comfortable Shoes
A recording session is not the time to break in new shoes or to wear your tallest heels. Prioritize comfort rather than dressing up. Yes, you may run into artists you admire, but music studios are focused on sound and even famous artists tend to dress casually in studio. You’ll fit right in!
Hoodie or Sweater
It can get a bit chilly in studios. You may be nervous or excited about recording, but the aim is to be comfortable. You’ll have enough things to focus on without being distracted by how cold you are, pants you need to unbutton to sit down, etc.
Printed Lyrics
Ideally you’ve already memorized your lyrics. Still, it’s good to have them with you just in case. Printing them is better than using your phone; smartphones are a double edged sword of convenience and distraction. Also, you don’t want to deal with connection issues or notification pop-ups while trying to read lyrics off your phone.
At Bay Eight, we typically email your session. However, you are welcome to bring a hard drive for your engineer to upload your session files into. Furthermore if you’re playing an instruments, make sure your list includes tuners, new strings, and other specifics that apply to your instruments.
As always, you can ask us any questions regarding your specific situation via our chat or by clicking the “Book Your Session” button below.
