Below are some suggestions to consider before your next recording session.

1. Change your drum heads. The heads you've been bashing away at for months in rehearsal will NOT sound as good in the studio as new heads. Think about what drum sound you're looking for and choose your heads accordingly. Take the time to tune your drums properly. Bring extra sticks.

2. Same thing goes for guitar and bass strings. Old, oxidized strings will not provide you with the same clarity and bite as new strings will. There is very little that can be done to fix a weak guitar sound after the fact. It is wise to break your strings in a bit before your session so you don't spend half the day retuning. Bring extra strings.

3. Check the intonation of your guitars and bass. This often-overlooked step can be the difference between a good sound and a great one. Many music shops offer this service if you don't want to do it yourself. If possible, get all your instruments intonated by the same person.

4. Figure out the arrangement of the songs beforehand. Everyone in the band should know each of their parts outright. Of course, things can change in the studio, but it will save time if you work out any potential problems before you come in.

5. Practice to a metronome. This goes for all of the band members, but especially the drummer. A poor drum track will lay a weak foundation for the rest of the song. Recording to a click greatly simplifies the editing and mixing process.

6. Run all your effects pedals off 9v batteries, NOT adapters. Batteries generally provide cleaner power and will last plenty long enough for our purposes.

7. Exercise your vocal chords. Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption, avoid smoking, and practice diaphragmatic breathing. Most importantly, drink plenty of room-temperature water, six to eight glasses a day.

New to recording? Here's what to expect:

There are many ways to record a band, depending on what the band is comfortable with, what sound you're after, time and budget constraints, etc. Generally, I'll track each instrument separately, which provides the greatest separation and control over each element of the mix. If the band would rather, it is possible to track drums, bass, and guitar live, adding vocals in after the instrument tracks are finished. I really prefer not to work in that manner for a number of reasons, but it is sometimes necessary. Also, it is quite common for either the band or the engineer to act as producer for the record, especially for lower budget projects. A lot of bands feel like they're sacrificing "their" style if they let someone else produce them, and that's fine. But, it can be useful to have an objective opinion to bounce ideas off and act as a kind of litmus test. If you want my input, I'm happy to give it. If you'd like me to sit down and shut up, just let me know. This is your project.

Assuming we're overdubbing, drums will likely be the first instrument we track. Some drummers are capable of playing to nothing but the click, while others like to hear the bassist or a guitarist. Since drums take a long time to set up and mic properly, it's normally best if the drummer comes in on his own. For tracking, if a guitarist or bassist is necessary, they should come in. It's a good idea to get the drum tracks nice and solid before moving on to the other instruments; any unfixed mistakes will give the other band members hell and will greatly affect the finished product.

Once the drums are down, bass tends to be the next instrument tracked. The relationship between the drums and bass has a great affect on the overall feel of the song. If it's not right, the song can be ruined. That said, there are times when the guitars fit into that position and the bass exists merely to fill out the bottom end. It all depends on the song. I like to record bass both direct and through an amp. If you like your amp, by all means, bring it in and we'll mic it up.

After the drums and bass are down and sitting nice, it's on to the guitar tracks. How we go about recording guitar depends a lot on your style. Getting a great guitar sound takes some experimentation and may not happen immediately. The sound that works for you live might not work in the studio; remember, there's a big difference between a 4x12 and a car stereo. It's important to keep an open mind to achieve the best sound while still remaining faithful to your vision.

The last step in the recording process is the vocal. Lead vocal will be recorded first, and any background vocals or harmonies will be added to augment the lead. It's important to know your lyrics so you don't need to think as you're belting them out. Some vocalists are able to sing all night, whereas others can only make it through a few songs before they start to lose their voice. Performance is everything.

Once all the tracks are laid down, I can start mixing. At this point I should have a pretty good idea of what you're looking for. Having the entire band present for the mixing process tends to complicate things and is counterproductive. I prefer to mix alone as I can fully concentrate on what I'm doing, but if you'd like someone present for the mix, I ask that you nominate one person from the band. Once I feel the mix is done, I'll burn you a CD so you can check it over at home, in your car, whatever. We'll then resolve any issues and get a CD ready for the mastering house. I strongly suggest you send your CD to a professional mastering engineer; it's important to get a fresh perspective on the mix. If you're not familiar with any, I can recommend a mastering house.

After your CD is mastered, it's ready to be pressed, either to vinyl or CD, and packaged.