As someone who has spent a considerable amount of time in the music industry, I have gathered a wealth of knowledge and experience that I believe would be valuable to share. Whether you're an aspiring artist or a seasoned professional, visiting studios and working with other musicians can be a daunting task. That's why I've put together a comprehensive playbook that covers everything from studio etiquette to payment management and mixing tips.
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IN-STUDIO MANNERISMS

Visiting studios with artists can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it's also important to approach it with the right mindset. Before you even step foot in the studio, it's important to do your research and find out as much as you can about the artist and their work. This will not only help you to understand what to expect, but it will also show the artist that you are genuinely interested in their craft.

Once you arrive at the studio, it's crucial to be respectful of the space and the equipment. Many artists have spent years building up their collection of instruments and gear, and it's important to treat them with care and consideration. Always ask for permission before touching anything, and be mindful of the way you handle the equipment.

Make sure to come equipped with all of your materials when heading into the studio, including stems, wavs, flash drives, external hard drives, computers, and anything else you might not initially think is necessary. It's crucial to always be prepared, as you never know when you'll be working with other artists who might be interested in purchasing your tracks. Not having your supplies at the ready will only hinder your chances of making a profit, so it's best to err on the side of caution and bring everything.

Providing honest and constructive feedback is crucial when an artist seeks your opinion. Don't hold back and offer suggestions for ways to improve their work instead of simply praising it. I've observed too many people joining in with their group of friends, listening to lyrics that are disjointed or incoherent and then hearing only appreciation in response, such as:"That was amazing” or “I love it!". Therefore, honesty is key when giving feedback. Pretending to like something limits the possibility for Art to become excellent.

While recording your music, avoid smoking, drinking, using drugs, or focusing on non-recording-related activities to prevent distractions. Therefore, be mindful and pay attention while you record your work. Deviating from this guidance can lead you to unfocused results. Although a lot of artists require smoking to get in the creative spirit, you do not necessarily need to compromise its outcome with such lifestyle distractions just for their sake. Maintain a pleasant time while you record but not at the cost of imprecision and indecision, know how to be funny in order to cut the tension but also know when and when not to do so. There is always a proper time and place to crack a joke.

It is essential to incorporate the beats per minute (BPM) information in the WAV or stem directory. Oftentimes, engineers are left asking producers or artists for the BPM data, leading to unnecessary delays. Without this crucial detail, they must figure it out themselves, which is a time-consuming process. To avoid potential hold-ups, always furnish them with this fundamental information.

Resist the urge to fanboy or fangirl if you come across celebrities in the studio. Remember that they are there for business purposes and not interested in hearing your music or posing for selfies. Introduce yourself politely and wait for them to invite further conversation.

In addition to being respectful and communicative, it's also important to be open-minded and flexible when visiting studios with artists. You may encounter unexpected challenges or opportunities, and it's important to be adaptable and willing to go with the flow. Remember that you are there to learn and grow as a musician, and that sometimes the best experiences come from embracing the unexpected.

PAYMENT MANAGEMENT

As a new entrant to the industry, managing payments can be a daunting task. It requires careful planning and a clear understanding of the payment process. It's important to establish clear expectations upfront and ensure that all parties involved are aware of them. This includes outlining the services that will be provided, the payment amount, and the payment schedule.

One of the best ways to ensure that everyone is on the same page is to have a written agreement in place. This agreement should include all the relevant details of the payment process, such as the payment terms, payment method, and the consequences of non-payment. Having a written agreement in place can also help to avoid misunderstandings and disputes down the line.

In the music industry, it is vital to safeguard your work and monetary compensation. Without fail, ascertain that you've received all the payment, per the agreed amount, before imparting the tracks to artists. It's atypical, but some artists may swindle, promising to reimburse later but will not. Don't them trick into dusty proposals like "I'm going to kill it" or "I will make a hit and make us famous", having free lightning blasts or fading spiral graphics won't resume quietude and put food on the table. Your work is Shakespearean, be knowledgeable of its worth and don't let succumb to wearing fluorescent-green sunglasses and T-Pain's Grillz promising wealth and affluence.

Consider signing up with either BMI or ASCAP. Should anyone wrongfully use your music without your consent, these organizations can serve as a beneficial tool for recovering lost royalties (with proper legal representation). Both companies prioritize supporting songwriters, artists, producers, and all people who contribute to musical creations. Overall, I personally have been fortunate to not have had to address any issues stemming from unauthorized usage or distribution of my work..

Don't ever sign a management or publishing contract before bringing the documents to a lawyer. A lot of individuals don't comprehend the magnitude of a contract. Sonny Digital recently vented his frustration with Universal Publishing for profiting off of him. Keep in mind that once you sign these legal agreements, your music falls under their authority. Nowadays, record labels need artists more than vice versa. If plausible, create your own team and remain autonomous in the same way as Macklemore did; he declined nearly every business proposal to supervise his own tunes.

When using a sample in your music, take the time to acknowledge its origin in the title and inform others involved that the final product cannot be sold without the original creator's consent. It's critical to avoid falling into the trouble of famous lawsuits that could arise if appropriate action is not taken. The possibility of losing profits often to influences big artists from using the sample.

It's essential to communicate clearly with all parties involved. This means being transparent about the payment process and keeping everyone informed of any changes or delays. It's also important to have a plan in place for handling any issues that may arise, such as late payments or disputes over payment amounts.

PROPER MIXING TIPS

Embrace the idea of minimalism. Less really is more in the world of audio production. Resist the temptation to apply compression and equalization to every single sound. It's all too easy to get sucked into the "must use plug-ins" mentality, adding effects to every sound, needlessly altering their character. Unfortunately, this can often yield audio that's over-compressed or far removed from its original intent.

Ensure there is empty space. It's crucial to allocate space for vocals, especially in a particular genre. Hip hop generally follows a standard of -6 dB to enable some leeway for vocal processing. On occasion, certain instrumentals canAÅ be audibly overwhelming, with too much present bass and, predicatively, instruments colliding with each other to become as loud as incommercial feasible. Upon viewing the utilised instrumentals on a digital audio workstation, I often notice that there tends to be only 2 dB of available room to use (ideal for EDM, but not appropriate for hip hop).

Filters have an amazing ability to enhance our musical experience. Nowadays, we can easily differentiate and isolate specific instruments' frequency levels with ease. This technique enables instruments to seamlessly sit apart without disfiguring the melody. Admittedly, some tunes can be fine-tuned with a frequency level of 3.5 kHz; however, it may be necessary to extend certain tunes to 5 kHz to attain the desired open sound effect for all instruments utilized. It is also important to implement stereo separation while mixing as it eliminates annoying sounds.

Incorporate various plugins to tailor the audio to one’s personal tastes. Through using esteemed plugins such as warmverb, gross beat, and fabfilter, one has the ability to alter the audio content with And creating personalized sound and style is an unbeatable sensation.

Utilizing panning is crucial. Avoid adorning sounds, such as the bass and kick, with panning. These instruments are best left in mono. Besides highlighting auditory separations, panning is invaluable in producing a more polished and uncluttered sound. Be willing to experiment with placement, perhaps even trying out the technique of differently configured hi-hats used by musicians such as A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ferg.

Automation can enhance the authenticity of sounds played, particularly in creating a live performance atmosphere. Applicable to various instruments, employing automation highlights specific elements of the sound produced. By manipulating volume, you can zone in on certain segments within the overall blend, invoking an original cadence.

Audio blending is an art form that requires a keen ear and a deep understanding of the mixing equipment being used. Although there are certain guidelines to follow, such as db levels and compression ratios, these should not be taken as hard and fast rules. Instead, it is important to rely on your personal auditory perception and use your ears to guide you through the blending process.

One thing to keep in mind when blending audio is that different beats and sounds will require different levels of compression. For example, a heavy bassline might require a 3:0 compression ratio to keep it under control, while a lighter melody might only require a small amount of compression. It is up to you as the audio mixer to use your judgment and decide what level of compression is needed for each individual element in the mix.

In addition to compression, there are other factors to consider when blending audio. The attack and release times of the compressor can have a big impact on the overall sound of the mix, and it is important to experiment with different settings to find the right balance. Likewise, the use of EQ and other effects can help to shape the sound and give each element in the mix its own unique character.

Ultimately, the key to successful audio blending is to establish a practiced and experienced familiarity with the mixing equipment. This means spending time experimenting with different settings and getting to know the nuances of each piece of gear. Always a good idea to use templates! With time and practice, you will develop the ability to differentiate and assign nuance to sound emission, allowing you to create rich, layered mixes that sound great on any sound system.