5 Things to Do Before Your First Recording Session

Walking into a recording studio for the first time can feel intimidating. The gear, the booth, the engineer watching through the glass — it's a lot. But the artists who get the best results aren't the ones with the most experience. They're the ones who show up prepared.

Here's what to do before your session at MRG Recordings (or any studio) to make sure you walk out with something you're proud of.

1. Rehearse Until It's Muscle Memory

Studio time is expensive. At $40/hour here in Reno, every minute counts. If you're still figuring out your lyrics or melody in the booth, you're burning money. Rehearse until you can perform your song in your sleep — then rehearse it a few more times.

Record yourself on your phone and listen back. Catch the places where you stumble, the notes that don't quite sit right, the breaths in the wrong spot. Fix all of that before you step up to the mic.

2. Bring Reference Tracks

Know what you want your final track to sound like. Bring 2-3 reference songs that capture the vibe, mix, and energy you're going for. This gives your engineer a roadmap and saves hours of back-and-forth trying to describe the sound in words.

Pro tip: Don't just bring chart-toppers. Bring a track with the kind of vocal effect you like, another for the drum punch, another for the overall vibe. Specificity helps.

3. Warm Up Your Voice

If you're recording vocals, your voice is the instrument. Treat it like one. Vocal warm-ups for 10-15 minutes before the session will:

• Expand your range
• Reduce cracks and pitch issues
• Keep you from blowing out your voice on take #1

Drink room-temperature water. Skip the dairy. Don't scream in the car on the way over.

4. Show Up With Lyrics Printed or on a Tablet

Reading off your phone works until you get a text notification mid-take. Print your lyrics or put them on a tablet in airplane mode. Having them laid out cleanly means you're not squinting or scrolling — you're performing.

5. Know What You're Leaving With

Before you walk in, be clear on the goal:

• Are you tracking vocals only?
• Do you need a rough mix at the end?
• Is this for a demo or a release?

Communicate this with your engineer at the start. It shapes how the session runs and what you leave with.

Ready to Book?

We've helped artists at every level capture their sound — from first-time vocalists to established acts. Whatever you're working on, come in prepared and we'll get it right.