How to record your band, part 1: preparation

Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail! So don't hit record just yet. A little work behind the scenes will ensure that your time in your studio (no matter how makeshift) is well spent and productive.

There are many different ways to record your band, but recording your songs doesn't mean you have to be in a studio recording instruments separately. With the right equipment and a well rehearsed and prepared group of musicians you can record together live, and capture the essence of your sound.

You might feel that some recordings you've heard before fail to represent the dynamic of seeing a band play live, so tracking a band playing together is a great way of showcasing the energy of your sound for promoters and potential new fans to hear. It can also be relatively quick and cost effective way to record too.

The Tracklist
But before you even think about plugging in, your band needs to choose the songs you want to record, consider what songs best showcase your sound to people. Be realistic with the amount of songs to start with and make sure you know them inside out; because this recording is going to be an accurate reflection of how well you play them live.