A short list of common sense tips that will help for a smoother and more productive session in the recording studio especially for those who are limited in budget and time.

1. Decide the purpose and objective of the recording session. Songwriting/pre-production, Tracking or Mixing.
• Songwriting/pre-production may simply be a "live" take of all musicians (playing at the same time), getting a rough mix – mostly levels. This will allow more songs to be commited to disk.
• Tracking entails recording each part one at a time – typically rhythm section is laid down first (drums, then bass, then rhythm guitars, piano/keyboard parts), then vocals, then solo instruments (guitar, piano). Try achieve and deliver the best sound and performance at this stage. Again, just go for a rough mix.
• Mixing entails detailed processing and leveling of all individual audio tracks so that they all blend together and sound as one. The desired output is a mix and sound ready for a mastering engineer or straight to the CD manufacturing.
2. Decide what materials to record. Decide what song/music will be recorded ahead of time.
3. Know your material. Practice the parts. Name the parts. Nothing drags a session than musicians not familiar with the material – all nuances of the material and of the recorded performance are obvious upon playback. Timing is the most obvious problem area. But dynamics is also important. Intonation is most difficult for vocal and non-fretted string instruments – also the toughest to fix.
4. Know your sound. Know your signal chain and how it affects your sound, how the knobs and buttons react. Prepare your instrument and sound processing gadgets; for example use new batteries and strings. Bring spare/backups for strings/sticks/picks. While the studio is a great place for exploring other sounds – that pursuit for tone takes time – just like all good things take time. For clean vocals, prepare your voice by avoiding smoking, drinking and staying up late before the session.
5. Create you own space. Make sure that you will be comfortable. Bring your own lava lamp, a pillow, your own carpet. Take off your shirt. Take off your shoes. As long as these things do not violate any social, hygiene and building safety codes – go for that creative space.
6. Talk to the sound engineer. You are the "star" for the duration of the time you are in the studio. Talk to sound engineer about your material, describe the sound you are going for, and don’t be afraid to pursue that sound – if you can hear it – it most likely can be achieved – especially if you have the right tools. It will also help if you bring a CD with the sounds you are going for.

Hope this helps interested parties achieve smoother and more productive sessions in the recording studio. These tips should be applicable whether the session is in your bedroom/garage studio or a professional recording studio like Sound Weavers Recording Studio.