How to Follow Pre-Production Procedures in Home Recording

Following good pre-production procedures in home recording will make beautiful music your final product. Getting things ready is the most important part of the actual recording process. Adequately prepared music, musicians and technicians all work together to produce a great recording session in home recording.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Prepare the music. Pre-production begins with a high quality, easy to read score for all musicians involved. Transcribe and test each part so that all the different lines and instruments fit together.

2. Rehearse the musicians. Distribute the completed score to all musicians involved and rehearse until the piece or pieces are perfect. The finished product is only as good as the rehearsal time prior to recording.

3. Make adjustments to the score as needed during rehearsal so you're getting the finished product you want. Take time and tweak your score if there are any places where the parts don't blend together properly.

4. Schedule recording time. Determine which parts need recording separately to prevent bleeding from one instrument's microphone to the other. Schedule recording sessions for each part or parts until everything is down on tape.

5. Decide whether or not to overdub. Some instruments may need additional dubbing to get the full sound or balance you want.

6. Re-record any part that isn't exactly right. Post production and mixing solves a lot of problems, but ironing out any major issues beforehand makes the process smoother.

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare adequately for home recording to get the best finished product. Don't rush through post production and mixing. Take your time so the finished recording is exactly what you want.