Before You Hit Record: The Preparation Most Musicians Overlook

There are many elements that contribute to a great recording, and they often begin days, weeks, or even months before the session itself. How you prepare emotionally, mentally, and practically will directly shape the quality and authenticity of your performance.

I’ve been fortunate to spend the better part of 30 years in the studio, working in a variety of roles including engineer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. No matter what role I’m in, the same golden rule always applies: preparation is everything.

Emotional
The most valuable asset you can bring to a session is your attitude, along with a calm and patient disposition.

One of the best ways to build confidence is to record yourself regularly. Make it part of your routine. The more you record yourself, the more familiar it becomes, not just technically, but emotionally and physically. Over time, you stop overthinking it. Like anything, repetition builds comfort, and comfort allows you to focus on the music rather than the act of being recorded.

Just as importantly, listen back with both honesty and kindness. Listening objectively helps you recognize what’s working and what may need improvement, without attaching your self-worth to the outcome. Recording is a process, and it often involves adjustments. If someone asks you to sing, play, or approach something differently, it isn’t a judgment of your ability. It’s part of shaping the song into its strongest form. Music is deeply personal, so it’s natural to feel vulnerable, but collaboration and refinement are essential parts of creating something meaningful.

My emotional prep work includes meditation to quieten my rather enthusiastic monkey mind, yoga to get tension out of my body and journaling to have a safe space to share my thoughts. If meditation and yoga are a bit too woo-woo for you, that’s ok. A walk in nature can be just as grounding. Anything that helps you step out of your internal noise and into a calmer, more focused state will serve you well.

Two books that had a profound impact on my approach are Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner and The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten. Both explore the emotional and psychological side of music-making, and offer valuable insight into developing a healthier, more relaxed relationship with performance. (If you’re not a reading sort, fear not. Both of these are available in audio form). 

Practical
I always show up insanely prepared. I know the songs inside out – every note, every lyric, every nuance. This applies whether I’m performing, producing, or engineering. I don’t want to be spending the most creative parts of the process thinking too much, I want to feel the music, even if I’m engineering.

I also bring charts, lyrics, and notes so I can stay organized and focused. At the same time, it’s important to remain flexible. Even with thorough preparation, things often evolve during a session. My primary goal is always to serve the song first, and then the artist. Everything else is secondary.

Preparing your instrument is equally important. Eliminate buzzes, rattles, and unwanted noise wherever possible. Sensitive microphones will capture everything, including small imperfections you might not notice in a casual setting. Check your cables, bring spares, and ensure everything is functioning properly before the session begins.

If appropriate, bring alternative instruments or tonal options, but avoid overwhelming the session with too many choices. Having thoughtful options can be helpful, but clarity and efficiency are more valuable than excess.

During the Session
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need and always communicate those needs with skill and kindness (to hone your skills in this area, I can highly recommend Emotional Intelligence 2.0, available in audiobook form as well).

Take time to get to know the space. I am a tree-hugging hippy sort and do believe that rooms and buildings carry energy, it’s often the first thing I notice when I enter a space for the first time. I also want to understand how the room responds sonically and how it interacts with different sounds. Every room has its own character and understanding how it responds to your voice or instrument allows you to adjust your performance accordingly. Spend a few moments playing, listening, and settling into the environment.

Also, take care of your physical well-being. Bring water and nourishing food. Sessions can run long, and maintaining your energy and focus is essential. Taking care of yourself allows you to stay present and perform at your best. Don’t assume food will be available (either at the studio or nearby) and even if it is, don’t assume anyone will stop long enough to eat it.

To be on the safe side, I make sandwiches ahead of time and bring them with me. This is partly because, as mentioned previously, I am a hippy sort, and prefer food that agrees with my tree-hugging-hippy tummy (which is, both unsurprisingly and in keeping with my Totnes stereotype, gluten-free vegan fodder).

The Deeper Truth
Great recordings are performances, not just technical captures. They reflect emotion, authenticity, and presence. Preparation allows you to access those qualities more easily when the moment arrives.

When you’re well prepared, you’re free to focus on expression rather than execution. That’s when the most meaningful performances happen.

You Got This
Like anything in music, this is a process. Learning to record yourself, listen back objectively, and grow from the experience takes time.

Be patient with yourself. Feeling vulnerable or self-critical is completely normal. Over time, you’ll learn to listen more objectively and separate your identity from the recording itself. This allows you to grow without losing confidence.

Music is a lifelong journey. There is always something new to discover, refine, and explore. Preparation simply helps you show up ready to capture those moments when they arrive.