MUSIC PRE-PRODUCTION: WHY YOU NEED IT!
You’ve written a song, put together a demo, and now you’re ready to record it. But wait! Before you hit the studio, there’s one important step you need to take first: pre-production. In short, pre-production in music is everything you do before you hit record on your song.
Think of it this way: would you build a house without first creating a blueprint? Of course not! The same goes for your song. By taking the time to do some pre-production and plan out your song and recording beforehand, you’ll save yourself time, money, and frustration in the long run. Not convinced? Keep reading to learn more about why pre-production is so important.
What Is Music Pre-Production?
Music pre-production is the process of preparing for a recording session. This includes everything from choosing the right songs to record to working out arrangements and hiring musicians.
This way, you can be sure that your recordings will be the best they can be. Plus, taking the time to do pre-production will save you money in the long run by making the recording process go more smoothly.
I have personally wasted my own time and money in a recording studio by not being prepared. I also have wasted time and money recording with people whom I thought were “better ” musicians than me or more experienced than I only to find out they flake under pressure, were not as professional as I thought, or liked to get so high it took forever to get something usable down.
Human nature is unpredictable, but with a bit of flexibility you can handle the unexpected with ease. Studio work might be frustrating at times because it’s not always exciting, however if your able to roll with changes then it could lead to new opportunities for creativity!
Why Is Music Pre-Production Important?
There are a few key reasons why pre-production is so important. First and foremost, it saves you time and money. By taking care of all the details beforehand, you won’t have to waste time (and money) during the actual recording session.
Pre-production also allows you to get feedback on your song from other people. This is critical because it gives you a chance to make changes to your song before it’s too late. Trust us, it’s much easier (and cheaper) to make changes during pre-production than it is after the fact.
By taking care of all the details before you hit record, you minimize the chances of something going wrong during the actual recording process. And if something does go wrong, you’ll be better prepared to deal with it because you’ve already done your homework.
How to Do Music Pre-Production
1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SONGS:
Make sure to pick songs that showcase your strengths as a musician and that will appeal to your target audience. Once you’ve chosen your songs, it’s time to start working out arrangements.
2. ARRANGE THE SONGS:
Once you’ve chosen your songs, it’s time to start arranging them. This includes choosing the instrumentation, working out the arrangements, and rehearsal schedules for each song . When arranging your songs, be sure to keep your target audience in mind. What kind of sound are they looking for? What kind of arrangement will appeal to them? Keep these questions in mind as you arrange your songs.
3.SCHEDULE ENOUGH TIME FOR REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals are an essential part of pre-production.. They allow you and your bandmates to become familiar with each other’s playing styles, work out any kinks in the arrangements, and make sure everyone is on the same page .
Rehearsals can be expensive so that is why it’s important to rehearse efficiently by having a clear plan for each rehearsal session, and decide what needs to be accomplished ahead of time.
This will help ensure that everyone’s time is used wisely.
4.CREATE A DEMO:
Once your arrangements are finished, it’s a good idea to make a demo or scratch tracks. This will give the studio engineer an idea of what your recordings should sound like as well as give you something to use for reference when recording. The demo doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to capture the overall sound and feel of your band.
5.CHOOSE THE RIGHT STUDIO:
Not all studios are created equal! When choosing which studio to use to record your album make sure you do your research ahead of time. Listen to testimonials from other bands , ask about their experience with the studio engineer, and read online reviews . This will help ensure that you end up in a studio that’s right for you and your band.
PRE-PRODUCTION MIGHT SEEM LIKE AN UNNECESSARY STEP, BUT TRUST US—IT’S WORTH IT!
Taking the time to do pre-production will save you money in the long run by making the recording process go more smoothly. Plus, it gives you a chance to fine-tune your songs before heading into the studio. So what are you waiting for? Start pre-producing your next project today! By following these tips you can set yourself up for success!
