It's easy to think that amassing a pile of recording equipment is all one needs to do in order to run a successful commercial studio, but it's only a small part of the equation. What are the true skills and mindsets that all successful (and busy) audio professionals really bring to the table?
* Learn how to stay focused while hearing the same song over and over. If you want to imagine this as a career, sit in a room for 10 hours listening to the same song on repeat. I'm totally serious. In fact, pick a song that you personally don't care for or want to hear. Focus on different aspects of the song on each pass and take notes.
* You must be a dedicated music fan. As a producer and engineer I feel it is important to try to know about more music than my clients. Understanding and absorbing a wide variety of genres, artists, and albums, as well as knowing the history behind most of this music allows me to talk intelligently about music referenced during a session, including how it was created and recorded.
* Watch bands live and understand the interaction that is happening on stage. If a bassist turns to the drummer with a smile or a scowl, figure out why and what happened. Is the singer's glance across the stage a warning not to mess up or a subtle encouragement to keep playing as well as they are?
* You need to know when to have an opinion, and when to express it. I can remember every instance where I feel I should have kept my mouth shut. The wrong statement at the wrong time can derail everything. It is your job to know when your thoughts are not needed, and if they are, who to express them to. Not everyone needs to hear everything said during a session.
* You'd better have (or develop) some people skills. Can you read the mood of a room? Can you pick up on individual people's moods? Can you get a group of people to work together on a project without coming across like a bully or dictator? Are you able to control a situation without others suspecting what you are doing? Can you integrate into a group of people you've just met? Can you do that for a limited time? Understanding people and personal dynamics within a recording session is key.