How to prepare for a studio session: Part 2

The last blog discussed the things you need to consider before the studio session is approaching. Negotiating your fee, analysing the text and doing your research were the key points. 

Part 2 will cover the day before and the day of the studio session. So let’s jump in with the day before. These are all things I’ve learnt from recording long and vocally exhausting studio sessions that really put your vocal strength to the test. Of course everyone will have different ideas of what works best for them, but I think these are a good place to start even if it's only a short recording session. 

The Day Before a Studio Session

• Get a good night's sleep.

  • Make sure you're well rested and focused so you can give the session everything you’ve got. One of the first things to go when you’re tired is your voice so ensure you get plenty of sleep. 

• Read the script out loud multiple times.

  • Try it in different styles, accents, tones. Experiment and get familiar with the text. Be careful not to over rehearse it in one particular way because it might throw you when you get in the booth and receive different direction.
    

• Avoid alcohol.

  • It can be really dehydrating for your whole body and your vocal chords especially. It can affect your quality of sleep too so it's a double whammy.

• Avoid sugar.

  • Again, it affects your quality of sleep and peeks your blood sugar level making it harder to unwind.

• Avoid the sauna.

  • I live in Finland so this is one I’ve only realised recently. It’s a no from me the night before a recording session because my voice is quite sensitive to drastic changes in air quality. Saunas can have quite dry air and you need to replenish your water levels significantly after excessive sweating. Steam rooms or using a nebuliser are a better way to rehydrate your vocal chords without drying you out.

On the day of the studio session there are other rituals I follow to help me prepare for a studio session.

The Day of a Studio Session

• Warm up properly.

  • If I haven’t done my breathing, articulations and resonance exercises I can’t function in a studio. It sounds dramatic but it’s true, warming up ensures I limit the amount I stumble over words, it helps me hone in on the vocal quality and tone I'm trying to achieve and importantly reduces damage and vocal fry. 

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

  • So important as it helps you avoid those clicking sounds. The rule generally goes that you should sip little and often to stay hydrated. Avoid taking big gulps and glugging huge amounts 15 minutes before the session. You should try to consume plenty of water at least two hours before your session to be fully hydrated.

• Avoid dairy.

  • For anyone who has ever had singing lessons or done vocal training this is a classic rule. It gets stuck in my throat so it's best avoided. After the session... have as much cheese and chocolate as you like!

• Drink apple juice.

  • I usually buy a little carton of apple juice to have just before or during the session. It helps clear your throat if your voice is sounding a little bit groggy.

• Limit caffeine.

  • Yet again this is another thing that causes dehydration. Avoid caffeine on the day of the recording as much as possible and if you really can't function without a daily cuppa then try to drink it plenty of hours before the session.

• Steam.

  • I love steaming and I do it anytime I feel a little bit bunged up or like my vocal clarity isn't quite on point. It’s the only way to directly hydrate your vocal chords and it doesn’t cause any harm so it’s a brilliant thing to do about an hour before recording. Try to rest your voice for 30 minutes after steaming. 

So there you have it, Part 2 of effectively preparing for a studio session. Always carry a water bottle around with you so you can take sips little and often to stay hydrated on the day.

Comment below if you have any additions to this list. After all, everyone if different and what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for others.