STUDIO PREP / 07 STEPS
You might know some of this already, but it’s important to make sure we’ve got everything in check!
01
Rest your instrument.
Stay steadily hydrated throughout the day you're going to record. Warm up gently with humming, lip trills, and a few scales. If your voice feels strained, push the session back — never push through.
A rested voice always records better than “good enough.”
02
Set the room. Set the gain.
−6 to −12 dB
Peak range
0 CLIPPING
Never hit red
Use the quietest room available. Kill fans, AC, and hum. Add a pop filter, keep your mic distance consistent, and listen back for clicks, pops, or noise before deciding on a final take.
Name tracks as you go: “Main Take” or “Chorus Double 2.” This makes your stems much easier to work with.
03
Get the center right.
Record one clean main vocal. Either capture a few full takes and comp the best moments, or punch in only the lines that need help.
Use fades or crossfades where clips meet to avoid clicks.
04
Build width in pairs.
2 → 4 takes
Always even
Record doubles in multiples of two so they can live hard left and hard right. Two is the minimum; four gives you a bigger, more controlled result. Aim for cohesion in timing and pitch between takes to make sure doubles line up with the main vocal.
Your main stays center. The doubles create width around it while keeping the mix mono-compatible.
05
Support the story.
For ad libs and harmonies, get at least two takes — again, in multiples of two. A center take is optional; these layers should support the lead, not compete with it.
Let them live around the main vocal — they don’t need the dead center.
06
Print it clean.
Record through autotune or a vocal chain if it helps your performance. But before you send, remove every effect and all panning. The delivery should be completely dry.
MAIN
DOUBLES
AD LIBS
HARMONIES
Export each vocal type as its own individual stem — ready to drop straight into the mix.
07
Before you hit send.
Tap through these four essentials. If every box is true, your files are ready for the next move.
Dry and unprocessed — no effects or panning.
No clipping, dropouts, clicks, or pops.
Main, Doubles, Ad Libs, and Harmonies exported separately.
Clear, consistent names on every track and file.
That’s it. Clean files make better mixes.