Most Common Recording Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Entering the studio is the moment when your idea becomes something real. But even with enthusiasm and a good plan, it’s easy to make a mistake that can slow you down. In this article, we’ll show you what to watch out for.
Most Common Studio Mistakes
Section titled “Most Common Studio Mistakes”1. No Groove or Flow - Don’t Go in Blind
Section titled “1. No Groove or Flow - Don’t Go in Blind”Often beginner artists come to the studio without an idea for melody or rhythm — and that’s fundamental.
How to fix it:
- Practice with the beat before the session
- If your verse is too long, use synonyms
- Play with words so the flow comes naturally
2. Too Rigid a Vision or Lack of Preparation
Section titled “2. Too Rigid a Vision or Lack of Preparation”Problem 1: Artists cling to their plan too tightly and aren’t open to new ideas.
Problem 2: Showing up to the studio unprepared — not knowing the beat or lyrics.
Solution: Have your idea, but be ready for a fresh perspective. When artists have a vision but are open to collaboration — that’s when the best things happen.
3. Poor Beat Choice
Section titled “3. Poor Beat Choice”You choose a beat from YouTube, it sounds great, but then it turns out you can’t edit it? This is a common problem.
| Problem | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Beat without tracks (stems) | You can’t change the arrangement |
| Low-quality beat | Even a good mix won’t help |
| Popular beat (millions of views) | Lack of originality, someone may have bought exclusive rights |
4. Session Too Long - Don’t Push It
Section titled “4. Session Too Long - Don’t Push It”A session longer than 4 hours is often too much:
- Your voice gets tired
- Results are worse than spreading it over two days
- You lose freshness and energy
Better solution: Book a package of hours with friends — you can rest while someone else records.
5. Too Many Substances
Section titled “5. Too Many Substances”Sometimes a glass of wine or beer helps you relax, but excess is a problem.
| Substance | Effect on Voice |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Worst — throat dries out, diction suffers |
| Smoking | Sound becomes muffled |
| Other substances | Affect concentration and performance |
6. Too Big a Crew - Chaos Instead of Results
Section titled “6. Too Big a Crew - Chaos Instead of Results”Bringing a friend is a good idea. Bringing all your relatives and friends — a recipe for disaster.
Problems with a large crew:
- Distracts the engineer
- Creates chaos
- Engineer has to turn up the music (strains hearing)
- Harder to catch nuances
Optimal number: 2-4 people who understand that work is the priority in the studio.
7. Wrong Headphone Volume
Section titled “7. Wrong Headphone Volume”Often artists don’t communicate to the engineer how they want to hear themselves in the headphones.
| Problem | Effect |
|---|---|
| Too loud | You sing quieter than you should because you hear yourself too much |
| Too quiet | You strain your voice trying to overpower the beat because you can’t hear yourself |
Solution: Clearly say what works for you. The engineer will always ask, but it’s worth thinking about it yourself.
8. Rushing - Give Yourself Time for the Vibe
Section titled “8. Rushing - Give Yourself Time for the Vibe”A common mistake is trying to record everything in one take.
Our workflow:
- You can record phrase by phrase
- Or go all at once — we cut out the best moments
- We assemble them into a collage (comping) that sounds natural
Summary
Section titled “Summary”Avoiding mistakes is key to a successful session:
- Prepare — know the beat and lyrics
- Be open — to the engineer’s suggestions
- Choose a good beat — with editing capability
- Don’t drag it out — 3-4 hours is optimal
- Limit substances — go for tea
- Small crew — 2-4 people max
- Communicate — how you want to hear yourself
- Give yourself time — to find the vibe
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