Preparing for your session
Here are a few suggestions of how to prepare for your next recording session with Wrangler!
PRE-PRODUCTION
Pre-production is the process of analysing your songs and reworking them to a point that is ready for recording. It also involves a detailed deep dive into each song's strengths and weaknesses. This process may include potentially reworking elements such as lyrics, music arrangement, key selection, and even tempo adjustments to ensure everything is polished and ready for the recording stage.
If you are doing your own pre-production prior to working with Wrangler, here are a few key things to consider:
Arrangement
In our opinion, the arrangement of the song is undoubtedly the most important aspect of the entire pre-production process. A well-arranged song can truly make or break how good a song actually turns out to be in the end. A great and catchy hook that only gets used once throughout the track is ultimately a wasted opportunity that could have added so much more depth and appeal.
Key
Experimenting with placing the song in various different key signatures, or even changing the chords, can lead to some interesting and refreshing variations. If the singer is performing in a vocal register that is either too low or too high for them to sing comfortably live, We will recommend considering the option of moving it up or down to find a more suitable pitch.
Tempo
Tempo is essentially the measure of how slow or how fast a song is played. To find your personal comfort zone, try playing the track and observe where the groove naturally falls; make that your designated tempo. Next, pay close attention to the vocals and determine whether they sound rushed or, conversely, lag behind the beat. Adjust the music accordingly to ensure it suits the vocals harmoniously. Remember, the vocals are what the vast majority of listeners pay attention to and care about most in a song.
RECORDING DAY
KNOW YOUR SONGS BACK TO FRONT
Unless we're writing the song together as we go along, it is absolutely crucial that you know the song inside and out, just like you know the back of your hand. Practice it so much that it becomes second nature and ingrained in your muscle memory. Unfortunately, we have faced situations with unprepared band members, which ultimately leads to wasted time and negatively affects the overall atmosphere of our recording session. It is vital that you know your songs thoroughly. Additionally, hold your bandmates accountable for this preparation as well, because remember, you are only as strong as your weakest link. If it takes too long to get your parts recorded, you might find yourself being asked to hand over your instrument. In some extreme cases, it’s possible that your parts could be re-recorded at a later time, which is something we definitely want to avoid.
CLICK TRACKS
Nine times out of ten, it is generally advisable to record to a click track for various reasons. If the tempo is not adequately established, and the music pushes and pulls inconsistently, overdubbing various instruments will become extremely difficult and frustrating. Therefore, it is highly recommended to record with a click, and you must be aware of the tempo of the song you are working on. This tempo can certainly be agreed upon in the studio, but you are strongly encouraged to figure it out beforehand so that you are best prepared, confident, and well-practiced prior to the actual recording session. Not only does this preparation streamline the recording process, but it also helps to save time and reduces the likelihood of disputes in the studio, which can create an unpleasant and stressful environment for everyone involved.
If there happen to be tempo changes throughout your song, then make sure you have each of the tempos clearly worked out, along with a basic tempo map for the entire piece. For example, you might have 32 bars at 120 BPM, which is then followed by 16 bars at 124 BPM, eventually returning to 32 bars back at 120 BPM. This clarity will aid in delivering a polished final product.
REST UP
Recording sessions can be extremely taxing on our bodies and minds, often pushing our limits in ways we may not even realize. Think long hours spent in a dimly lit room, surrounded closely by the same four individuals, potentially playing the same piece of music over and over again until you finally get it just right. It's a challenging process, and to perform at your best, it's crucial to make sure you've had a good night's sleep before you arrive. Trust us, showing up hungover will not only hinder your concentration but we can guarantee that you won't be nearly as productive as you would be if you were feeling fresh and ready to tackle the day ahead.
FOOD
We have an in-house Chef with a set menu available. She caters to all dietary requirements (coeliacs & vegans; She will follow health standards & ensure no contamination on surfaces or food. She’s got you!) See Menu here.
INSTRUMENT PREP
It's extremely important that your musical instruments are in the best condition they possibly can be when heading into the studio to record. If you have any doubts about whether your instrument is in good shape, or if it isn’t of very good quality, it might be worth considering asking our producer what’s available.
Guitars
Make sure you have had your guitar setup within the last 6 months. If you haven't taken the time to get it done, the intonation could very well be out of alignment, and that can lead to significant difficulties tuning your instrument accurately during the recording process. Remember, once the track is finished, it's going to sound that way forever! The last thing you want to do is look back and realize that you could have easily avoided those pesky tuning issues with just a little preparation. Additionally, make sure your strings are new or relatively new because if you've played the guitar regularly for more than a month, it's probably time to change those bad boys out for some fresh ones.
As for bass guitars, they don't necessarily need fresh strings every time, as they can sometimes sound too bright depending on the particular style of music you play. So, if you've just replaced them and feel that this might be the case, consider wearing them in by playing the bass quite a bit prior to your recording session.
Drums
Fresh drum heads make a significant difference to the overall sound quality and performance of your drum kit. If you haven't changed them for a few months, especially if you're playing your drums frequently, then I would highly recommend that you consider changing them out sooner rather than later. Once you've got the new skins installed on the kit, be sure to wear them in by playing them for at least an hour or two before your recording session. This is important because they can often have tuning issues immediately after being put on new. And while you're getting ready, don't forget to have some spare sticks on hand too, just in case you need them during your session!
*Please note, we have multiple kits at Wrangler if your kit isn’t studio quality. Still bring loads of sticks!*
Auxiliary gear (drum hardware, stomp boxes, amps, leads, etc)
Before your session, it’s vital to thoroughly check each and every piece of gear you plan on using for any potential faults or defects. Take the time to examine everything closely, and don't forget to get rid of any faulty leads that may hinder your performance. Additionally, ensure that you have spare batteries ready on hand for your stomp boxes, just in case you need to swap them out during your set.