Anyone that's worked at a studio, been in a band that records or even just sat down and thought about it for a minute knows this question: "How long will it take to record our album?" I hear this at least once a week, over the phone or via email. I'm about to pop a blood vessel from trying to answer it over and over. I decided that instead of answering the question I'd make a list instead.
The Top Things That Will Make Your Recording Session Go Much Longer Than You Planned:
Everyone who is in a recording scenario loses 20 percent of their playing abilities instantly. Riffs you could effortlessly play in practice are suddenly ten times harder. Songs you plowed through live turn into arduous brain teasers under the studio microscope.
Your instruments don't really sound that great. I see this all the time — guitars with bad intonation, pickups too high, old dead drum heads, amps with blown speakers and microphonic tubes. Oh the joy.
That ten-minute lunch break took an hour and a half. Bring stuff with you to eat! This includes beer and cigarette runs. What a great use of time.
Your days off aren't really days off. Oh, forgot to hire a babysitter? Didn't really get the whole day off work? Partner bugging you about the dinner and movie you promised? Oops.
"I thought it was just a little tickle in my throat." And by the time we're tracking vocals you've got the flu. Rest and take care of yourself before sessions if you're the singer! This includes the whole band if we're talking about all-night parties or four-hour gigs.
"We can't agree on the song tempo and I need to write lyrics." I've witnessed this too many times — I'm falling asleep in my chair. Prepare people, prepare.
"Oh shit, I forgot my cymbals." See above.