Four Session Prep Tips

Whether it’s changing strings or eliminating chair squeaks, a checklist of things to do before you start recording

Posted in The Weekly on July 7, 2026 by Dave Simons

When a good new song idea emerges, naturally the inclination is to get tracking as fast as possible. But while spontaneity certainly has its merits, taking the time to properly prep for the session is at least as important. These steps include tuning (or changing) guitar strings, testing drum heads, eliminating chair squeaks, ticking clocks and other mechanical noises, plus incorporating a regimen of vocal warm-ups, and above all thoroughly rehearsing the material beforehand.

Take Time to Tune
Though it may seem obvious, sometimes in our rush to get some good takes down we forget to ensure that guitars, basses and other stringed instruments are tuned to concert pitch (also known as 440 Hz, or A 440). This is particularly important when including acoustic piano, organ or any other fixed-pitch keyboards; even adjustable digital keyboards can generally only be tuned up or down in semitone increments. Drums should be tuned as well, using a tuning key as well as dampening material to reduce ringing and other unwanted vibrations while playing. If necessary, outfit guitars with fresh strings and drums with new heads to achieve the best tone possible.

Noises Off
Sensitive condenser microphones are particularly adept at capturing the full range of vocal and instrument sounds but are equally good at picking up stray noises like household appliances, air-conditioning units, furnaces and the like. To keep demos sounding pristine, spend some time addressing these sonic invaders, whether it’s only using silent wall clocks, lubricating noisy chairs and benches, or perhaps using your microphone’s frequency pad to mitigate the rumble of nearby automobiles or other low-end intrusions.

Connector Check
Speaking of controlling noises, you’ll also want to make sure that all of your instrument, microphone and audio cabling is in good condition and properly connected. Before you get started, check your pedalboard, microphone XLR cables, monitor patch cords plus any other wiring to and from your recorder to ensure each signal is free of electronic flare-ups. Never wait for an intermittently faulty cable to finally fail; replace any suspect wiring right away. When setting up, use strips of gaffer tape to fasten cables to the floor to prevent connections from coming undone mid-session; you should also periodically check wiring by soloing each record track to ensure all signals remain clean throughout.

Getting Ready
There are times when a spontaneous first take winds up being ‘the one,’ but by and large your song will be better served if you’re good and ready. When it’s time to lay down vocals, give yourself extra time to warm up, perhaps doing a regimen of scales and/or breathing exercises, and make sure you’re well hydrated beforehand (and keep the liquids handy while recording). The same goes for cutting instrumental parts—if it’s guitar, double-check your tuning, stretch your strings, allow amplifiers ample time to idle; percussionists should listen up for pedal squeaks or rattling hardware that could quickly upend an otherwise excellent take. Above all, make sure you know the music and words really well before the red light goes on. Once you have the song down, sing it a lot—in the car, at the gym, walking to work—the point being that the more rehearsed you are, the easier it should be to get the recorded performance you’re after.

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