Pressures of a Recording Studio

Pressure of a Recording Studio (Blog 1)

Recording studios can sometime become a consulting studio. Being able to reflect on your client’s strengths and weakness, plus guide them to a safe place for their emotional needs. So, talking to the client prior to pushing the record button will help set the tone for a happy relationship and ending. Being able to evaluate each client’s different levels of competencies is a big part of creating a safe place along with giving the client a feeling they can relax and that you're on their side.

Putting together the right team of musicians, and support staff if required can help a long way in creating a healthy environment. Remember the old phrase, birds of the same feather, flock together. Create an environment of like-minded people will mean that everyone associated is striving for the same goal.

So, what transferable skills will help to create a smooth ride, compared to a rollercoaster of emotional stress. It's the little things that can become big issues to deal with. For example, does the client get moody, depressed or has anxiety problems relating to a bad recording and experiences with other studios. The only way to find out is to created good transferable skill.

Interpersonal / Communication skill

Always meet your client with a friendly face and show that you care about what they’re doing. Feel a part of your client’s project and become a sound board if they have problems with a song. Listen to their concerns and put their mind at ease by listening to their thoughts (likes / dislikes). Acknowledge them as a person (no one wants to end a relationship on bad terms in a studio). It's important to remember what the client wants, and if you have problems with remembering what the client wants, write it down.

Problem solving

Problem solving is a great transferable skill in a studio. It can cover from communication through to equipment breakdown. Problem solving could be a client who has a fear of a microphone or could have claustrophobia about the size of the vocal booth. I've heard of a vocalist requesting the light to be turn off in the vocal booth before they sing. Setting up a studio in a differently so that the client feels more comfortable is all part and partial of problem solving.

Conclusion

Being a master at problem solving and having good communication skills will help keep the workflow in the studio humming at a consist pace. The last thing you want is to get bogged down, because you haven't cared enough to respect your client/s.