Handed down by Steve Friedman of Melville Park Studio
I. Knowest Thy Purpose
Be clear on why you are making the recording and on what you intend to do with it. Artists often waste a lot of time and money because they don’t know what they want, and therefore don’t know what to do or when to stop.
II. Thou Shalt Not Expect Too Much From Thy Recordings
Your career also depends on your song writing, playing & singing skills, url, gigging, stage presentation, booking, promotion, publicity, distribution, and contacts. An album is only part of the picture.
III. Thou Shalt Not Overspend
Promotion, distribution, gigging and travel cost money. Spending it all on recording is like buying a Ferrari and not having money left to buy gas for it.
IV. Thou Shalt Not Interrupt Thy Career Whilst Recording
Disappear into the studio for six months and nobody will remember you when you emerge. Don’t stop writing and gigging!
V. Thou Shalt Not Rehearse In The Studio
If you can’t play it in your bedroom, you won’t be able to play it in the studio.
VI. Thou Shalt Not Confuse Thy Friends With Studio Musicians
You think your pals sound great jammin’ in your kitchen. Put them under the microscope of a studio mixdown session and you may be in for a shock!
VII.Thou Shalt Not Try To Be Thine Own Engineer
Self-recording is a good way to prepare for a project, but a bad way to do one. I’ve seen artists spend a year on an album at home that could have been made better in a week at my studio. Confucius say “Man who re-invent wheel spend much time going in circles.”
VIII.Thou Shalt Not Expect More Than Thou Payest For
Cheap recordings sound cheap.
IX. Lay Thy Tribute At The Altar of Time, And Not At The Altar of Fancy Gear
It’s better to take all the time you need at a modest studio with rates you can comfortably afford, than to rush and cut corners at a state-of-the-art studio with a high hourly rate.
X. Thou Shalt Remember To Enjoy Thyself
Success in the music business is so rare, it’s foolish to even try if you’re not having fun!