Check out below the answers to some of the common questions you may have about using my recording, production or mixing services and how to prepare for a session. If you still can’t find an answer you are looking for, just email me!
When you come into the studio make sure you are ready to record. Lyrics should be memorized and instrumental parts worked out before coming in. You don't want to waste time while is remembering a part or trying to perform it in an acceptable way.
Work out song arrangements at home and make sure that everyone performing is comfortable with them. If I'm producing the project I'm more than happy to go to your jam spot to help with this. Sometimes having someone outside the project listening with a fresh ear can clean up some problem areas that were overlooked. While it's possible to make a lot of corrections with editing it's always better to record it right in the first place.
Having the correct tempo for a song makes a big difference to how the finished product will be perceived. Practice with a metronome and get exact tempos for each song. Make sure to get accustomed with these tempo's and that they feel right. If you don't have this down beforehand it's easy to mess up the tempo going into the studio because you're playing in a new environment and might be nervous/excited. If you don't have a metronome there are plenty available for your phone.
Write lyrics down on paper or on text so they will be available for lead AND backup vocalists. Lyrics should be memorized before performing them but a lyric sheet is good to reference off of.
Replace strings one day before coming into the studio and make sure to have an extra package in case a string breaks. Having new strings on your instruments (especially acoustic ones) will really improve how your instruments sound on your recordings. A proper set up done on instruments is also not a bad idea. Nothing worse than a nice sounding instrument that won't play in tune because the intonation isn't set up properly. If you don't know where to go to get your guitar/bass set up check out Ring Music. They do good work.
When you are practicing before coming into the studio try to record yourself playing your songs with your phone or something you have available. This is always a helpful reference.
Bring either Youtube or Spotify links that have sounds that you like. This will go a long way to helping me understand the kind of sound you want your project to have.
If your project involves using midi instruments try and get your midi files playing the exact way you want them too. This goes for the actual sounds from your midi instruments as well. Name all your midi tracks properly before so sound selection will go by faster. If you're bringing in your own keyboard bring the manual.
There are some more useful tips on this point here
If something you planned to do for the session is not working out, try something else on your list (always have a backup task or two) and come back to it later.
I will be mixing your songs on a mac using Logic Pro. While mixing in Pro tools is an option at Morph Productions the results I get with Logic Pro are a lot better. No disrespect to Pro Tools, I just don't use it for mixing very often. My mix studio is in Hamilton, Ontario. While you're welcome to come in person (or via Zoom) for mix tweaks I will need to get your mix started on my own initially.
If you haven't started your project yet but think you may need help mixing it here's a posting I made on my blog on how to RECORD your project in a way that will make your mix engineer happy: "Morph Blog".