I am an independent producer and studio owner. This information is very accurate. The whole recording process takes real planning and time. I have seen so many artists come in so under prepared. You will find yourself planning during the time you need to be recording. You can practice at home but when you are in the studio it’s time to do your thing. I’ve seen artists come in and don’t even have the hook/chorus or the verses and or bridges written. On many occasions, I have seen artists come in and try to free style their verses and hooks and they end up with a hot mess and not a hot song. No one fully come in a free style. It takes planning such as coming up with a catchy hook then keep the same concept in your verses. A song tell a story. But that will be another topic. Nething in life is free! In order for you to breath you have to stop eating or else you will choke.

You’re absolutely right on all counts, and the issue on being conservative with effects is, as I said, when in doubt. If you’re experienced with making different sounds and know how to harness the sometimes unpredictable results of hitting switches and turning knobs mid-performance, than by all means do it! But don’t be tempted by all the extra toys laying around the studio if you’re on the fence about whether or not it’ll sound cool the next day. You can always add it later.

Nice blog and some very good information. As a producer/engineer/musician myself I see a lot of people doing the complete opposite to what you’re saying and taking too much on themselves. I never producer/engineer and perform at the same time. very important to keep those 2 roles separate I think…. and we shouldn’t underestimate the role of the producer (not that producers should get a big head though) :-).

Personally I’d say rather than thinking of which studio to use it’s more like what space to use. Leave the equipment choice to the engineer. I’ve just done a record in a bungalow and it turned out better than when we started doing it in the studio. Sound, feel, quality, enjoyment. Everything.

Also I’d say don’t be as cautious as you’re suggesting. If you’re used to playing with delays and reverbs and FX and that’s how you want it to sound, DO IT. Put it on. make a decision. You’re going to have to at some point. Some of the best sounds I’ve got are form things I couldn’t change, like too much spill on a mic or a mics fallen over, or whatever. Take a risk, you’ll soon find that you gett good at making decisions on the spot.

I’ve got a couple of Blogs I’ve written myself about Mastering and Studio stuff at http://www.sonnyengineer.com. Blessay 03 in the pipeline on Studio Professionalism.

Sonny.