As if the above picture really even needs any sort of explanation. I think we all know that men and women have obvious differences. However, this picture also directly relates to the attitude that I like to have when I’m working in my studio. I’m fairly new when it comes to wearing the home studio engineer hat. For many years, I’ve simply walked my drums into a session. The engineer mics up the kit, the producer talks about the direction that the songs should take and the creative juices begin to flow.
The exact opposite feeling happens, however, when you find yourself being the musician AND the engineer AND the producer. If you record in the comfort of your own home, I applaud you. But do you ever find yourself wanting to pull your hair out instead of just creating? Here’s a couple of quick and easy tips to get the nonsense out of the way and creating good music in your home studio.
KISS Method: Keep it Simple Stupid!
The K.I.S.S method is one that I find saying to myself quite often. The definition of insanity, by the way, is repeating the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Actually, I think that’s why blogs like The Recording Revolution and Home Studio Corner exist: To keep us home studio owners from going insane!
The point I’m trying to make is this: Read up on the things that you need to learn to be successful in your studio first and foremost. Additional skills and techniques will come over time. If you’re a singer-songwriter that plays acoustic guitar, for example, learn the best way to mic that guitar, get it to your DAW and move on.
Start writing songs and recording that guitar! Do you “sort of” play bass and drums? Consider collaborating with an actual bass player or drummer (ahem) and get to making good music.
Schedule Studio Time on your Calendar
If you’re recording in your own home, it’s so easy to get lazy with your sessions. Don’t let the convenience aspect of your recording environment get in the way of being productive. If you know you need to record X amount of tunes this week, put it on your calendar! Pretend that you just got hired to be a session player in a major studio and get to work.
Separate Set-Up Time and Musician Time
This is another simple lesson that I’ve learned the hard way. In fact, this is probably the most important tip that I can offer. If you know that you have some set-up to do before you can actually record, set aside a day to do just that. Get those mics and levels set just right, clean off the studio desk, set up your session(s) in Pro Tools (or whatever DAW you’re using) and call it a night.
The next time you go in, you’ll be ready to do what you do best – record music. Again, I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. I’ve spent hours getting the drums sounding just right and tweaking everything. After I feel like I’ve finally got everything set just right, I’m in no shape mentally to turn into the creative drummer that I need to be.
More reading – Part 2: Don’t Do Everything Yourself
Are you practicing simplicity in your studio? Share your comments!
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