There are only so many weekend days in a year, and recording studios can’t accommodate every musician who wants to work on Saturdays and Sundays. So, at some point you’ll have a recording session either before a shift or after working all day.
How do you keep the session productive and get the results you want? Here are some things to consider.
Decide if you can do both. Some work is just exhausting. Add a family/partner/pet/home remodel on top of that, and the idea of recording on a work day seems impossible. If work wipes you out there is no way you’re going to get the quality tracks you want. You might have to concede that recording on a workday won’t work, Instead, give your project a longer timeline to complete and use your evenings (or times around your shift) rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing. The more you rehearse the more you’ll get accomplished in fewer hours.
However, I encourage everyone to try it a couple of times. I’ve seen people who arrive drained from work, rejuvenated by the end of the session! It is important to take time for your art and yourself – feed your creative soul. This can be energizing as well as rewarding. And if you’re working with the right studio, you’ll get the support you need to succeed.
Some tips and things to try if you have a session around work shifts:
- On the drive from work to the studio, breath and sing. Sing to the radio or a playlist and shift your brain to music. I wouldn’t do any homework (like listening to rough mixes or tracks that you’re going to work on). Instead, try to relax and just connect to your non-work world.
- Drink and eat. Yes, I know I just told you to breath and sing, but I assume you’ll hit some traffic and decent 20-minute commute.
- If neither of these aren’t your cup of tea (or the ‘noise’ of listening to music feels like a continuation of your work environment), experiment and find out what works for you to decompress. But be careful not to fall into an evening decrescendo. Relax, but keep ‘up’. A gentle run or brisk walk might be the ticket!
- If you’re singing during the upcoming session, drink water all day and limit talking as much as possible. If it’s required in your job, perhaps keep the extra banter limited. And on the drive over – or my favorite places, in the office bathroom before you leave – go through some gentle vocal warm ups, or sing lightly to your favorite music.
- You know what… even if you aren’t singing that session, do some basic vocal warm ups anyway! It’s kinda like yoga – it helps everything. Here are some easy warm ups you can do in your car.
- If you don’t have time to eat beforehand (and have to eat during your session), set the agenda to begin with listening to mixes or have your producer/engineer work on any editing. We don’t want anyone ‘hangry’ in the studio, so eat as soon as you can – and get it over with. I’d also suggest eating something relatively light – avoid heavy dairy particularly if you’re going to sing at that session.
- Plan on having your guest musicians for the sessions after work. There’s a lot to a recording/mixing that doesn’t involve YOU performing. Guests, mixing, editing are things that only require your attention and is good for low-energy days. And if you’re working with a producer, you can work on arrangements, distribution planning, etc. to stay productive even if you’re feeling a bit tired that session.
- Invite a friend over to hang out with you. As long as you keep it productive, having a friend around to share the experience can keep your spirits up and offer a new set of ‘ears’ on your recordings. More fun at a session is always welcome.
- Keep sessions shorter. You can get quite a lot done in a 2-3 hour session, and that’s far more reasonable than trying to crank out a 4-6 hour session after work. Your studio might have minimums, but I’m hoping they’ll go as low as 3 hours. At the Winterblue Room, we’re happy to arrange shorter sessions.
- It’s all about the night before. On recording/work days, you’re burning the candle at both ends. Make sure you have a nice long candle by eating a lighter supper the night before and a good night’s sleep. SLEEP, not REST, is the ticket! And of course, hydrate. I can’t emphasize that enough. Don’t drink too closely to the time you go to bed, of course – or you’ll be up all night. : )
- Save particularly challenging tasks for a session that is on your day off. A weekend – or if you really want to treat yourself, take a PTO day specifically for recording!
Of course, your mileage may vary. Some folks are energizer bunnies, and can cruise at 100% for more hours of the day. But you be you. Get to know yourself and what you’re able to do in the studio alongside all the other things in your life. Pace yourself and enjoy the process. Because the process is wonderful.