A young male musician singing in a professional recording studio with a microphone and headphones.

How To Prepare For Your First Recording Studio Session

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How to Prepare for Your First Recording Studio Session

3 Essential Tips for City Vocal Coach Singers

You’ve booked your first studio session – how exciting! Whether it’s at a state-of-the-art London recording studio or a mate’s home setup, it’s a huge step in your journey as a singer.

At City Vocal Coach, one of the most common questions we hear from students who want to record, especially those starting out with singing lessons in London, is this:

“What should I do to get ready before I go into the recording studio?”

It’s a brilliant question. Recording can be equal parts exciting and nerve-racking. But a bit of preparation goes a long way. In fact, it can mean the difference between a stressful, rushed session… and one where you come away buzzing with good vibes, knowing you’ve created something really special.

So, if you’re heading into the studio for the first time (or simply want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your time and budget), here are three essential tips for you.

1. Pick the Right Producer, Not Just the Right Studio

Studios come in all shapes and sizes, from high-end setups in Soho to bedroom rigs in Hoxton. These days it’s not so much about having the most expensive gear (though it certainly helps!), but about who you’re working with- your producer.

You want someone who really gets your sound. Not just someone who can press record, but someone who understands where you’re coming from musically and can help shape your sound and ideas into something that feels authentically you.

When choosing a producer or studio, ask yourself:

  • Do they understand my vibe, genre, and influences?
  • Are they genuinely interested in my music- not just music in general?
  • Do I feel comfortable being creative around them?

The right producer will push you when needed, support your ideas, and help you shape your unique sound. Whether you’re after a raw acoustic feel, a soulful jazz or R&B vocal, or a fully produced pop or rock ballad, choose someone who understands your vision and is excited to work with you.

2. Don’t Rock Up Without a Finished Song

This is something we see all too often: a tune in your head, a few lyrics and a melody, and the thought, “I’ll just figure the rest out in the studio.”

Don’t.

Studios, whether they charge by the hour or the day, aren’t cheap. More importantly, that time adds up quickly. The last thing you want is to be sat there rewriting your second verse while the clock ticks and your budget disappears.

Here’s the plan: finish your song first.

That means:

  • Polished lyrics and melody
  • A clear structure (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.)
  • Even a rough demo- recorded by your City Vocal Coach teacher as a voice note in a singing lesson- can be incredibly helpful

Unless someone else is footing the bill, the studio isn’t the place to write from scratch. It’s where you add colour and sonics to an already finished song. Treat your session with the same energy you’d bring to a live performance. Come in ready.

(If you need help shaping your song beforehand, that’s something we often work on during lessons at City Vocal Coach, so speak to your London Singing Teacher about this.)

3. Send Your Producer a Creative Brief Ahead of Time

Once your song is finished, give your producer a head start. A short, clear creative brief can save loads of time and make the session more enjoyable right from the beginning. It also helps calm nerves, you can set things out over email instead of trying to explain everything in the room when you might feel overwhelmed.

What to send in advance:

  • The key and BPM
  • A chord chart or rough voice note demo
  • A short description of your vision for the track
  • A few reference songs that capture the sound or vibe you’re after

Don’t worry about sounding overly “professional.” You don’t need music production knowledge- just be clear about what you want. For example:

  • “This reverb gives me the exact spacey mood I’m after.”
  • “The bassline here has the bounce I’d love in my chorus.”
  • “The drum sound 15 seconds in is what I’d like going into my chorus.”

Most producers work across a wide range of projects, so the more context you give them, the better they can tailor the session to you.

Bonus Tip: Have Fun!

We say this to a lot of our singing students when they come into our Hoxton studio, especially if it’s their first lesson: this is a moment. It takes courage, so enjoy it. Recording your own music is exciting. Years ago, opportunities like this were rare, but technology has made recording accessible to musicians at every level, and that’s wonderful.

So, when you step into the studio, take a breath. Be present. Whether your track ends up on Spotify, in a record shop, or just on your phone as a gift for someone you love, you’ve created something. That’s special.

If you’ve finished your song, found the right producer, and communicated your vision, you’re already doing brilliantly. Trust your voice. Lean into your authenticity. At City Vocal Coach, we celebrate every singer’s unique voice. Remember: the studio isn’t about perfection; it’s about capturing a moment. Some of the most powerful moments in music history are those where the voice cracks a little and the singer’s true emotion shines through.

So, if you need help getting studio-ready, whether it’s vocal technique, songwriting feedback, or just some guidance- City Vocal Coach is here to help. We offer singing lessons in London for beginners, professionals, and everyone in between. Whether you want to learn to sing for fun or turn your passion into a career, we’ll help you walk into your first studio session feeling confident, focused, and inspired.

Want to chat about how to prepare for your session?

Book a lesson with City Vocal Coach today!