Studio Basics - Studio Etiquette:
Guidelines to help you become a better Audio Engineer, Music Production Student / Intern / Apprentice.

Welcome to ES Audio Recording Studios 
Los Angeles, California

A note from your mentor -

Congratulations, you have been accepted as a student, Intern, or apprentice at ES Audio Recording Studio in Los Angeles, CA. 

Now the real work begins:

We have a lot of ground to cover in the next few months, which is not a lot of time once we start working. Our time together goes by quickly.

You can learn and grow while working in a real recording studio. This is not a classroom. This is how this craft has been taught and learned since the beginning. We will continue to teach and learn this way for generations to come. Even with the evolution of the recording studio in today’s market, this is how it is learned. So pay attention and soak it up. What you do with this knowledge is up to you.

Your mentor is a wealth of knowledge and experience. You should be honored to be taught by someone who does this for a living. The reason we all do this is passion. This work takes passion and soul. It is a lifestyle for most of us. Not simply a job.

We have a lot of road ahead of us. There is no better time to get started than now.

Let’s get going.

Let’s start with a few ground rules and guidelines. These will be mostly common sense type policies. Things we should already know. But, we must take a fresh look at them.

You’ll want to follow these guidelines if you want a long and happy career in the audio/studio business and to be respected and revered in your field by others. 

These guidelines might not make you a better engineer or producer. But they will help make you a better person to be around in the studio. You will probably realize that these are simple, common-sense guidelines. And things you should already know.  But I have to tell you anyway.

Your attitude and demeanor sometimes amount to more than half the reason people will want to work with you.  

Understanding these basic rules can help make you a more calm, centered engineer. One that can handle any and all situations that might arise while in a session with any artist. If you can keep your composure when everything seems to be falling apart. Then, you will be sought after as the one engineer everyone wants to work with.  

But, of course. As you continue to work and gather knowledge and experience, it will get easier to do the actual work. You will get faster. You will get more efficient, and as long as you continue to be known as the calm, cool, collected engineer, you will continue to get more and more work.  

One bit of advice as we begin our journey together into the world of creation;

Keep learning. Always. Continue to grow your list of clients and potential clients. Keep your social media presence professional, and communicate with clients who have yet to work with you. They, in turn, will tell others. And your career goals will never stop growing.     

Along this journey, your mentor will share stories and experiences of clients won and lost simply by being “that person” that clients want to work with while creating their music and art. Pay attention. Listen. Observe. But above all, understand that this way of learning this craft from this mentor at this time is a privilege. Embrace every moment. 

In no particular order:

Be On Time:

We have a saying in this business: 

•  If you’re early - You’re on time - 
•  If you’re on time - You’re late - 
•  If you’re late - You’re fired! 

Read that again in case you missed it:  

One of the worst things you can do is be late for a session. Especially if the studio has hired you to work it and the client is waiting for you to show up. That client is paying by the hour. They don’t feel good about paying for the time, simply sitting around waiting for the engineer to arrive. It can also make the client feel like the engineer and/ or studio doesn’t care about their project. At that point, it is about respect.  

Look! Life happens. There can be an accident on the freeway, which is no fault of yours. But, sadly usually causes delays for everyone. A dog ran out in front of your car. You came out to see a flat tire. You ran out of gas. (Wait, What? Yeah, don’t use that one. That’s too avoidable.) The list can go on and on. 

Example: Living in Los Angeles, There is always traffic. So that’s not an excuse for being late. If you know this can happen and you might be late, leave a little early. Most studio managers or owners like to see the engineer arrive about 30 minutes before the session start time. The client is usually 15-20 minutes early. I mean, you know. It’s their session. So, they are always excited about working on their music in the studio. So they are usually early. You should be too!  

   Suppose you are going to be late. Let the studio manager or owner know as soon as you know. That way, they can help smooth it over with the client. Consider even sitting in for you until you get there. I’ve done it and will do it again, I’m sure. Just don’t make it a habit.

Turn Your Phone on Silent. Or, Better Yet, OFF!
  

Let’s say the artist has the best take ever. But we can’t keep it because someone had their phone on, and we can hear their crappy ringtone on the recording. If the engineer doesn’t have time to sit, try to EQ the ringtone out of the vocal track. Just turn it off.  

The worst thing is when everybody in the studio sits around looking down at their phone, checking their Social Status or Tinder Date, rather than focusing on the music we create. Look up, people. There is the whole world going on around you. 

Even with your phone on Silent. It can still be a distraction. It’s best to turn it off during a session. Maybe even leave it in the car. 

As the Engineer, you should never answer your phone during a session. The recording should be the most crucial thing during a session. You can always call your people back when you take a break. Respect!

Keep Chatter To A Minimum:  

Chances are, if you are sitting in the studio control room. The engineer uses his ears to focus on something within the mix and current session. Try not to bother the engineer if you have questions about what the engineer is doing. Write them down and ask later when it’s less stressful. As an intern, It’s a good idea to carry a small notebook just for this purpose. 

You can participate in the artist's recording process as an intern in the session. One of the worst things you can do is offer an unwanted opinion of the client's work. Even if you whisper to another person in the room, the client may notice and become offended. And, the client may NEVER come back to that studio.  

Keep your opinion to yourself. If you feel like you will burst with laughter because the artist is the absolute “worst” singer you’ve ever heard. Keep it to yourself! You can always discuss it later. 

Strive To Be Positive:   

We all have our off days. Every now & again, life gets the better of us, but your energy  & “vibe” can rub off onto others. If you’ve come to an engineered studio session on a negative wave, it’s almost always guaranteed to reflect in the session. 

Suppose you are Stressed, Angry, Hungry, or Upset. It can all be felt by the others in the studio. 

Try some Zen breathing exercises before the session if you feel stressed or bothered. Leave your drama outside. That’s the one thing that’s not cool to share with the rest of the class. 

Remember to relax and enjoy every moment in one of the most incredible places you can be. The Studio!  

Keep Food And Drink At A Distance From All Of The Gear:  

Music studios can hold thousands of dollars worth of expensive,  sometimes super, vintage, un-replaceable equipment.  

Studios do not purchase equipment just for others to enter their studio and spill their food and drink all over the place.  

Try always to clean any mess that you might create. 

Most Studios that have been around for any reasonable amount of time probably have a story or two relating to liquid spills and food getting stuck on stuff.  

Finding old chicken bones or something under the couch that you have been smelling for weeks is always great fun!

Ask Permission:  

Never assume that you can do the same in another studio just because you do something in your studio.
Example: Most studios today have a No Smoking policy in effect. Never assume that you can light up anywhere in the building. If you feel that you have to smoke something - ASK! They may have a designated smoking area. As an intern or apprentice, don’t even ask. You are there to observe and learn. Stay focused on the job. 

DO NOT TAMPER WITH EQUIPMENT: 

Almost ALL professional studios will have a list of rules for dealing with the gear and the cables. Follow them! If you don’t know, ASK!  

As an intern, only do what the engineer asks of you. The engineer may have something set up for later and does not need you to put it away just yet. Please wait until the engineer asks you to do something. 

The worst thing is to have an analog mix on the console, and maybe the engineer goes out to grab a coffee. DO NOT clean up the console thinking that you are helping out.    

If you think the engineer will be surprised that while he was out to lunch, you  “Zeroed” out the console and threw away the board tape. You are probably correct. And you will be lucky if you still have a job. 

If you don’t know how something in the studio works. ASK THE ENGINEER! Don’t try to “Figure it out” on your own. You could break something. 

Don’t forget to smell good - But don’t smell too good:  

You should not wear tons of cologne or perfume while in the studio. Save it for date night with Boo. 

Chances are, you will be locked in a small space with sometimes many other people.  And, if you offend just one person with your scent, you may destroy any confidence you have built. And likely not be asked to work with them again. 

Also, try not to stink. Please remember to shower. Soap and water work wonders.

Have A Professional Attitude:  

Your attitude toward the engineer and studio is key to any positive studio session. Remember, the engineer is here to help you get the best recording possible. If you’re not being professional, you’re only wasting your time, money, and the engineers. 

Engineers love consistency, concentration, positivity, objectivity, and the ability to be flexible and creative.  

The way you carry yourself in person is a direct influence on first impressions. If you don’t have a professional attitude from the start of any working relationship, you’re just shooting yourself in the foot and will end up costing yourself time and money. 

Don’t Waste Your / Our Time: 

          This one is for all the entry-level artists who seem to think their career is in a good enough spot to go to a professional space & get “LIT AF” or goof around and bring the entire entourage to hang out and have a party.  

The successful artist knows that this is like a job and their career. So, they come here to get work done.  

You really should be knuckling down on your session goals. Let’s focus on getting work done and making your project as best as it can be. 

Another critical point is that you must treat any music studio just like any other work or professional environment and avoid dialog hotspots such as Religion, Politics, Family, etc.

Communicate Effectively:  

No relationship in the world works without some form of communication. 

As a student, if you have any disagreements or questions with your mentor, Please discuss them with your mentor before contacting RRFC about things that should be handled at the studio level.

Your mentor may say things or do things that you may disagree with. But you are a guest in the mentor’s world. Yes. I know that you “Paid to be here” - Please understand that this is not any regular school you may be accustomed to. If I, as your mentor, say something offensive or hurtful. It may not be intentional. It usually is the opposite. We, as mentors, are here to help you grow in your career. We are only trying to prepare you for what is next in your path. Sometimes that information can be harsh and not sensitive to your beliefs and understanding of how things work. Just know that whatever it is might be a simple misunderstanding or misinterpreted as something else.
Please sit and ask your mentor before contacting RRFC.

You build a working relationship when you’re in a studio with a professional engineer as an artist. If the engineer in your session isn’t quite hitting the target mark, you had in mind. Don’t be afraid to speak up even if you don’t know the exact terminology. Most engineers know where the ”frumpy” knob is. 

The only way an engineer can help you is with proper communication.  As an artist, it may also pay to learn some basic engineering terms to aid in a smooth dialog. But, again. Not a necessity. If you are in the booth and just waving your arms around. Your engineer may not know what that means. Please be vocal and tell us what you need.

Be Prepared:  

As much information you can provide to the studio and/or engineer in advance will make your setups much quicker and more efficient. Thereby saving you time and, in the end, money. 

There will be work that is to be done at home and with your academic facilitator via Zoom. It is best to get those things done before coming to the studio. Have your work ready, and be prepared. Please don’t waste your time or the time of your mentor.

If you book a lesson day with your mentor. Understand your blocking your mentor's time for the time that you booked. If you don’t show up, the mentor has been booked by you for days and has not booked any other work because the mentor is booked with you. You are wasting the mentor's time, and it will not happen that often.

See you in the studio!