If it’s your first time working with a mixing studio, or just need a refresher course to jog your memory, here are a few of the do’s you can follow to foster a strong relationship with a mixing studio.
Of course, the first step any artist should undertake is to prepare enough before coming into the studio.
By this, we mean getting your songs ‘well-rehearsed’, and any equipment you need to bring properly tuned and set up beforehand – think of inputs, space, power, DI unit, microphones, and instruments.
This preparation helps the studio to properly accommodate your setup, allowing both you and the studio to concentrate on the session.
Next, we highly recommend having a clear idea of how each part of your music should sound – in both creative direction, for the sake of guiding the songwriting process.
Some artists may be unclear about their preferences, and we hate to see it disrupt the vibe from time to time – causing a creative traffic jam of sorts, where subsequent stages of recording, arrangement, mixing and mastering end up being delayed or upended. Collaboratively working through the anatomy and structure of your track with your engineer is part and parcel of the production process – to save yourself time and resources, though, having a strong inclination for a sound, aesthetic or style can make leaps in initial groundwork.
Providing a few reference tracks from your favorite artists will allow the mixing studio to get a feel for the sound and style you’re aiming for. Providing about 1-3 tracks would be ideal, and offers a great starting point.
Additionally, make sure to take note of what the studio would want you to bring before the session like tracks/stems/DAW sessions.
Asking them straight up for the information is an even more prudent choice, as a straightforward means to get the relevant files sent their way.
After all that’s done, the engineer will naturally have feedback about the stems/sessions.
This feedback is crucial as it is part of their job to assess whether your stems sound off or subpar, utilizing their expertise to ensure the song sounds its best. This process is vital for both parties to achieve a polished mix that’s ready for commercial release.
The studio effectively cleans out, balances and clarifies the sonic landscape of the home recording based on the creative needs of the track. For those wanting the cleanest audio, though, correcting recordings made with a low-quality microphone can be nearly impossible, often requiring more than just technical adjustments.
Once everything checks out, the studio will proceed to mixing your track. Often, it takes several revisions to fully refine a track, exploring minute alterations like quality among different environmental contexts, isolating sections from one another, how instrumentations sound in foreground versus background, etc.
Nailing the desired sound on the first try is possible but typically happens with studios where there is an established, long-term collaboration. If this is your first session with them—or a mixing studio in general—expect that it might require multiple revisions.
Being specifically verbal on what you like, what you don’t like, and what can be improved in the mix is important. The studio will appreciate this detailed input, as it helps them fine-tune the final product to meet your expectations.
These are just a few of the many things you can do as an artist to achieve a great relationship with your chosen studio.
If any steps, such as sending files, seem complex, Moreish Studios can help walk you through these processes from start to finish. We also have some useful step-by-step guides that will let you safely send your tracks, stems, sessions over to us.
Should you have any questions that aren’t addressed in the guides, or if you’re interested in collaborating, don’t hesitate to contact us for further assistance!
