What to Know for Your First Studio Recording Session
Has being inexperienced kept you from booking time at a professional recording studio? For those starting and nervous about working in a new space or with other industry professionals, Stewart Tuttle of Altar Studios in Los Angeles took some time to answer common questions about working in a professional recording studio. Check out the interview below for our discussion, which includes his professional opinion on booking your studio time, expectations of the experience of recording in a studio, and studio etiquette for your first studio recording session.
An Interview with Stewart Tuttle of The Altar Studios LA
What to Know For Your First Studio Recording Session
Photobombshell: Hi, Stewart! Thank you so much for your time. Today, I want to dive into some helpful information for independent artists and folks interested in getting started in music. I know so many people know you from your social media presence and huge personality, but for those who have not met you, could you please share a little bit about yourself and your studio?
Stewart: My name is Stewart Tuttle. I am the owner and head engineer of The Altar Studios in Los Angeles, California. I am a producer, guitar player, and musician who works with artists of all genres. As an engineer, I started working with artists around 2011. At the time, most of those artists were my friends, and in 2018, I started growing my business into my full-time job. I now have over 75 artists in and out of my studio all the time.
Recording Session Best Practices
Photobombshell: That is awesome! Congratulations to you and your business on the massive growth in such a short time. I know even more artists are itching to get into the studio for the first time and might be holding back for numerous reasons. I hope we can help remove some of those obstacles by shedding light on professional recording and how it works. For a new artist or someone who has never stepped foot into a recording studio, what are some things they should keep in mind for their first studio recording session?
Stewart: I think artists coming in for their first studio recording session should expect not to feel judged when presenting their music to the world. When recording that music, they should feel at a place where they can experiment and explore the ideas that they have in their head. The studio should be a safe place for all who enter, a respectful environment for themselves and anyone else in the studio. Music is sacred and should be treated as such. Understand that being in the studio is something you have to get good at. It doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t happen after one session. With each session, there is something to be learned.
How Much Time Do I Need?
Photobombshell: I agree with you that music is sacred. I also love how you pointed out that getting better in the studio is a process, and artists will improve with time and experience. When considering booking studio time, when inexperienced, how much time should an artist book for a project?
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Stewart: I think a four-hour session for someone’s first time in the studio is a really good amount of time. How much time they will need depends on the amount of work they are trying to do. You have no idea at what pace you will work in the studio, and generally, things take longer than you think they will take. It’s always best not to rush any ideas. I think four hours is solid for a song. It will give you enough time to explore what you need to explore. Take some time to talk with the engineer you’re working with. Let them know about yourself, why you love music, and why you’re in the studio. A 30-minute conversation will set the tone for the rest of the session, and the music will be that much better because of it.
How to Prepare for a Studio Session
Photobombshell: Thank you! I think the time allowance and a conversation with the engineer are solid, practical tips that anyone can use. That’s great. Outside of warming up the voice and memorizing lyrics to the best of their ability, how should artists prepare for their first time in the booth?
Stewart: I think mental preparation is a huge factor in coming into the studio. Being hungover on the day of your studio session will reflect in the music and work against you in creating the music you need to create. Simple things like eating before you come, but not too much. As a vocalist not being hungry when you’re in the studio is important so that you can focus on the music you’re making. Also, your mental state is important. Coming into the studio after something like a breakup, for example, could be the type of mental state that you need to fuel your performance for that particular record. Above all, just being aware of your mental state and how much it will affect what comes out in your performance is something to consider.
What to Bring and What to Leave
Photobombshell: OK, we have the mental state tackled. What should artists bring or not bring for their first studio recording session?
Stewart: Don’t bring anything that will distract you from the work at hand. That could be people, or things like a Nintendo Switch, for example, or something like that. Also, make sure you have water! Most studios provide water. My studio provides water. That is a huge thing to have. Room-temperature water works best for singers and vocalists. Tea is also super helpful.
Studio Etiquette
Photobombshell: Water is so simple but so easy to forget. I also love a good peppermint tea for a vocal warm-up. Great tip. What is some studio etiquette that newbies might not know, but need to learn quickly?
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Originally published at https://photobombshell.media on January 11, 2023.
