If you are starting a project from scratch, the first thing you'll do upon arriving at the studio is to load in and set up your gear. At this point the "session clock" begins ticking. The engineer will select the microphones and place them. Each mic will be checked and adjusted individually during the sound check. Since the recording process usually requires some degree of physical separation between the instruments, you'll use headphones to hear yourselves even if you're all in the same room. The headphone mixes will be set up during the sound check, too. Since the headphone mix directly affects your performance, we believe it's important to spend the time to get it right. The load in and set up usually takes between 2 and 4 hours (that's why we have cable TV).

Typically, recording consists of three basic phases: Recording basic tracks, Overdubs, and Mixdown.

The basic tracks are the foundation upon which you will build your song. Generally, this would be drums and bass but perhaps guitars and keyboards as well.

Overdubs are tracks that you add to the basic tracks. Vocals, solos, percussion, etc. are examples of typical overdubs. Sometimes overdubs are used to replace basic tracks. Out-of-tune instruments or sloppy playing usually necessitate this type of "redo" overdub.

Mixdown is the process by which the various basic tracks and overdubs, collectively known as the multitrack master, are mixed together in the computer or through a mixing console to create a stereo mix master. This mix master can take the form of a CD, DAT, cassette, computer file or tape reel. These mixes can then be processed and sequenced by a mastering engineer to create a final CD or LP.

[Once you're finished mixing, you have the option of purchasing your multitrack masters. If your session was recorded on tape, these are the master tapes. If your session was recorded on disk, your masters will most likely be CD-ROMs. This is reccomended but not required and may not be necessary in all cases. Ask your engineer.]

Since it takes some time to set up, it's a good idea to record ALL the basic tracks at once. Then, you can use another day, or even schedule another session, for overdubs and mixing. Recording similar setups at the same time- for example, doing all the basics, then all the vocal overdubs, then the guitar solos- will save time in the long run over switching back and forth from one setup to another. If possible, it can be helpful to have a few days or weeks between sessions to 'sit with' your tracks.

Here are some other useful bits to keep in mind:

Record your songs a few times before you record them in the studio. Even the worst sounding home brew boom box tape will give you valuable feedback regarding tempos, transitions, etc. It will also allow you to help decide what the difference is between a good version of a song and a bad one. It's extremely helpful to have some kind of prior reference, either in your mind or in the CD player, when you're listening to a playback and trying to figure out if it's a keeper.

Don't expect to get it perfect on the first take. Many bands will play through a song a couple times, then record one, listen to it, discuss it and play it again. This process can sometimes be repeated several times. If it still isn't sounding right, consider moving on to something else and coming back to it later. Really great and really lousy performances are obvious. Most albums are made of the stuff in between. While it's only natural to want to give the definitive performance of all time when the red light's on, that rarely happens. Just try to relax and let it flow. If you're not sure, ask your band mates. If they say it's good, listen to them.

Listen to the whole song- not just your part. Try to be objective. Don't scrap a killer drum take because the guitar and bass were sub par. You can redo a guitar track. Mistakes are relative: is it worth the time and effort to try it again because the drummer hit the floor tom instead of the rack tom in a fill? Will anyone else notice? Or care?

Know your gear and how to get the sounds you want. Your amps and drums will probably sound different in the studio than they do in your rehearsal space. Don't bring an amp or drum kit you've never used before and leave yours at home. New drum heads and guitar/bass strings (yes you should have new strings and heads) take time to stretch out. Putting them on first thing, or even the night before, is a good idea.

Be prepared. Have your parts worked out in advance and know how to play them. Mapping out your tracks in advance will help you work more efficiently and get the most out of your time in the studio. Let's say you have several songs that all use the same guitar sound. It makes sense to record those tracks at the same time.

Listen to CDs and find examples of sounds you like. Listen to the relationships between the instruments: How loud are the vocals compared to the music? How loud is the kick drum compared to the snare? Are there  effects (reverb, delay, etc.) on the vocals? What kind reverb is on the snare? What does the low end sound like? The high end? Knowing what you like and don't like will save time during the mixing process.

Your engineer is there to help you realize your ideas using the tools of the studio. The better you are able to communicate your ideas, the better the likelihood of a successful collaboration.