Recording Studio Etiquette: Respect The Engineer
When it comes to working with studio engineers proper behavior is important, and a certain amount of decorum should be expected. Here are some basic rules for treating the engineer and the studio space with the proper respect, ensuring a positive experience for all parties involved.
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Guest Post from Trill Trax
While this should be self-explanatory, I find myself perplexed by the current state of affairs. Engineers are the cream of the crop when it comes to product efficiency. They are the workers that can make you sound incredible or terribly awful. Studio etiquette and decency travel in small circles.
This particular article will embody studio etiquette and how to respect the person responsible for your sound.
Showing up on time
When financial terms are set forth and agreed upon, that transaction is a course of business action. Therefore it is your duty as a client to be on time or ahead of schedule. Respect the engineers time. If you booked a specific time slot, follow studio procedures if you cannot honor them.
Call ahead of time to inform the staff of your lateness, reschedule for another time or absence.
Investing your own money is tough. Seeing it wasted because you did not show up or were late is negligence. Some studios require a small down payment as a security fee. Similar to real estate when renting a new home, they need an upfront fee to lock you in that time frame.
Considering that people do forget their appointments or simply ignore them, the studio reserves the right to keep the retainer fee. This is a security measure. If you do not show up, then that time is lost where the studio could have made more money.
Also please keep in mind that if you book four hours and only show up for two, you are not entitled to hours after your set booking, without paying for an extension or re-booking. The engineer does have other client obligations. He cannot change his scheduling due to your negligence.
Respect the gear
Hardware is not indestructible. In some cases it is rare and very difficult to repair. Whether it is a professionally built studio or home studio, it is expensive. Having an assortment of microphones, cabling, monitors, consoles, digital plugins, acoustic treatment and more are but a few items worth mentioning.
Do not set liquids on top of rack mounted gear
Do not step on cables or twist them incorrectly
Do not hit the microphone
Do not throw the headphones
Do not leave the area you used dirty
Pick up your own trash
Place chairs back to their original seated positions
Smoke in designated smoking areas
Do not spill alcohol or any beverage
Clean up any food left behind
While this particular point is upfront, it does happen. This is just a caution worth mentioning as it does happen in studios.
Dispose of your condoms
Gear is not built to last forever. It does require maintenance the way a piano needs tuning. Coming into the studio is like coming into a second home for the engineer. Respect it and his rules.
Respect the interns
Interns have it tough already. They do what seems to be meaningless tasks such as preparing coffee or maintaining studio cleanliness. While they are interns, they are also humans. Don’t treat them as if they are beneath you.
At some point nobody knew who you were and in some cases still don’t. Pushing them to do impossible tasks just for amusement is a cowardly characteristic. Instead try to include them in the recording or songwriting process. Help them prove themselves to the engineer and studio owner. Build people up, not tear them down.
What seems to be overlooked is the fact that interns will grow into something one day. Many big named engineers shared they got their first major experience while interning. Each stage in life begins with an entry level. How fast you progress out of that is up to you.
Front of House (FOH) Engineer
The Front of House engineer is the person you need to build a strong relationship with at each venue. A poor relationship with him will result in a poor sounding performance on you. In most cases the engineer knows what he is doing so let him do so.
Performing with vocals on top of the instrumental shows you don’t care enough to take that extra step in the performance. Anyone can lip-sync. Performances should be live, every mistake made and moment created for an aural and visual presentation to the crowd.
Nobody likes working with a high maintenance jerk. If there are grievances you wish to address, do so in a calm manner. Ask for changes, not command. The venue is paying the engineer, not you. If he gives you advice on how to hold the microphone or says not to stand too close to the speaker towers, listen.
A lot of issues during the show can be resolved during pre-production. It makes it very difficult on the FOH to mix your live vocals on top of pre-recorded mixed vocals. There is a huge difference in sound if you perform only with an instrumental.
Issues like sibilance, boxy, boomy and brittle vocals can be adjusted as such.
Sometimes that FOH will engineer at several venues in town. It is in your best interests not to get on his black list.
Preparation
Knowing what you will do beforehand will eliminate any loss of time. Come in with the intent of getting as much quality work done within your time frame. If you choose to write a new song, play video games, or kick it with women during that time, you are still on the clock paying.
Respect what it is you came to do. If you choose to party in the studio, the engineer is pretty much waiting until you decide to record. The party can be acceptable if you are personal friends with the engineer. It is not about paying him so he will do what you want at will. You do not own him.
Have the material you wish to work on. Is it an instrumental or a tracked out session? Do you have diagrams or orchestral arrangements and microphones needed? Will you need to go offsite to record Foley?
Show up prepared with material needed to complete the project. Do not assume you can show up to the studio and download content from your email. Most major facilities do not allow internet connection on the console room computer.
This prevents viruses and acts as a failsafe in case someone leaks material. Have a zip drive, DVD or external drive ready to take the session with you as well.
Space
Personal space is important too. Engineers whether mixing digitally or through analog consoles, need the space to move appropriately. Take a step back and let them work, while you may provide feedback.
Another thing about space is in relation to the partying. Don’t smoke too close if the engineer does not do it himself. Do it before you get to the studio. People don’t want to leave work spelling like a bar or club. Same goes with alcohol.
Drugs inhibit the sensors. The engineer should not have to babysit anyone. They are there to enhance your content.
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Engineers make up a tight knit community. Therefore they talk amongst one another. If you end up being “that guy” then it can become difficult finding someone to work with you.
Respect
