After 20 years of running Let Down Studio, we can honestly say we’ve seen it all when it comes to bands in the studio. From heated arguments to members walking out mid-session, being in a band is its own wild journey, one that tests patience, creativity, and commitment. We’ve watched artists go from having zero experience to releasing professional recordings within days. With that in mind, today we’re sharing what we at Let Down believe every band should do before stepping through our doors to make the most of their studio time and walk away with the best results possible.

#1 – Practice your ass off!

We can’t stress this enough: before stepping into the studio, every band member must know their songs inside and out. Everyone should be clear on exactly what they’re playing and when. The studio is not the place to figure things out on the fly, unless you’ve budgeted for endless hours of experimentation (which, let’s be honest, most bands haven’t). Recording costs money, both for the artists and for the studio, and walking in unprepared wastes everyone’s time.

We’ve seen it firsthand: vocalists showing up without finished lyrics, guitarists trying to write solos on the spot, and yes—even bass players being forgotten in the shuffle. These slip-ups don’t just stall the session; they create tension within the band itself. At Let Down, preparation isn’t optional, it’s mandatory. Because when you walk in ready, you walk out with results worth every dollar and every ounce of effort.

# 2 – New/ish equipment is essential

When we say new equipment is essential, we mean it, fresh drum heads, new guitar strings, a working kick pedal, and speakers that aren’t blown. Too many times we’ve seen bands walk into the studio with subpar gear and expect to sound like their favorite artists. Sorry, but it doesn’t work that way. Every professional recording you love was built on properly maintained, well-chosen equipment. As we often say at Let Down, you get what you pay for.

We can’t turn a pawnshop beginner kit into a perfectly tuned $10,000 DW kit designed for your genre. The truth is, bands must reinvest in themselves as they grow. Better gear means a better sound, period. Don’t settle for junk at any point in your career. If you’re headed to the studio, bring the best equipment you can because that’s the only way to get the results you’re chasing. That’s why here at Let Down we have are own in house, quality gear at no extra cost to the artists we work with.

# 3 – Check your fuckin’ Ego at the door

To this day, we still can’t understand how some people walk into a studio with no audience, weak songwriting, and zero following yet carry themselves like rockstars. Ego is the #1 killer of momentum in any session. Being in a band means working with others professionally, taking criticism with grace, and respecting that every member has a voice in the final product. Master that balance, and you’ll set yourself up for a long, fruitful career.

Listen to your producers and engineers, they’re on your side. The better your music sounds, the better it is for their reputation, too. Remember: the studio isn’t the place for full-blown therapy sessions (trust us, we’ve seen it happen more times than we can count). At its core, being in a band should be about enjoying the process and having fun with the people you create with. Acting out, trash-talking, or throwing tantrums only ruins the vibe and in the end, no one walks away happy with the final product.

# 4 – Tell your significant other they can wait

For some reason, people still think the studio is a place to party and hang out without a care in the world. Maybe movies and TV shows are to blame for exaggerating what “life in the studio” looks like. The truth is, the studio is 100% work and the bands that treat it that way always end up with the best-sounding product.

For the love of god, do not bring your girlfriends, boyfriends, spouses, or family members. They’re distractions, plain and simple. We’ve seen couples fight and break up mid-session, partners pepper engineers with endless questions, and even bandmates implode because they were secretly dating the same person. None of this leads to good music.

That’s why at Let Down we have a rule: no partners or family in the studio. It may sound harsh, but it exists for a reason. You’re investing your hard-earned money into these sessions, and every distraction chips away at your results. Keep the focus where it belongs, on creating the best music possible.

#5 – Talk to your producer/engineer

When we first started, we learned this lesson the hard way. We’d invite bands in, agree on a price, and just jump straight into recording. Big mistake. Without a clear direction or set goals, expectations for the final product can quickly become confused or unrealistic. In the studio, everyone has to be on the same page to understand what’s truly at stake.

That’s why, before stepping into the booth, it’s crucial to meet with your engineer or producer and go over every detail of the project. What do you want the finished product to sound like? Which artists or bands inspire you? What gear are you bringing? How do you define your style or genre? Do you have rough demos you can share? These simple questions can have a massive impact on the quality of your recording.

Not only will this clarify your expectations, but it also gives your engineer valuable insight to make the right production choices, select the best microphones, and begin planning for mixing and mastering. Don’t skip this step! It will save time, money, and frustration, and it will elevate your final product far beyond what you expect.

#6 – Don’t come inebriated

We get it, life can be tough, and for some people, alcohol or drugs become a way to escape now and then. No judgment. But here’s the bottom line: do not show up to the studio messed up. The studio is a business, not a party. Movies and TV might glorify the “rockstar lifestyle,” but in reality, we’re here for one reason only, to stay focused and make great music.

If you’re booked for a session, leave the booze and drugs at home. Save it for after the work is done. Trust us on this: you don’t play or sing better with a few drinks in your system. In fact, the longer the session goes, the worse your performance gets. Keep your head clear, your energy sharp, and your focus locked in. That’s how you walk out with music worth being proud of.

#7 – Create and stick to the schedule

Studio time is sacred. We take it seriously when building a band’s itinerary and recording schedule and we expect you to do the same. Don’t waste our time, or yours. If you do, you won’t be invited back.

Being in a band may be fun and rewarding, but it also comes with responsibility. Studio time is one of those moments when you need to treat it like a job. Make sure everyone is on the same page with their work and family schedules before committing. If we agree on a calendar, stick to it. Of course, we understand that life throws curveballs and we’ll always accommodate true emergencies. But excuses like “I forgot” or “I didn’t know” are unacceptable.

Remember, we’re all in this together and reputations spread fast. Don’t be the band that becomes known for showing up late or canceling sessions. It will hurt your chances at collaborations, bigger shows, and the overall growth of your brand. We’ve seen too many groups vanish after letting a bad reputation define them. Don’t let that be you.

# 8 – Know your budget

Studios cost money to run. Between equipment, upkeep, and electricity, expenses pile up quickly. When choosing a studio, do your homework, ask around, compare options, and understand what you’re paying for. With home studios and affordable gear now rivaling million-dollar facilities, there are more choices than ever. But don’t overextend your budget. In the studio, time is money. Some charge by the hour, others by the song, but either way, costs can add up fast.

The best approach is to sit down with your band, research thoroughly, and create a budget everyone agrees on. Be upfront with studios about what you’re working with financially. This helps them allocate resources wisely and keeps expectations realistic. Above all, never change or undercut what you agreed to. Telling a studio you can’t pay or that you’re short on cash is one of the worst things you can do. Respect the process, respect the people, and treat studio time like the professional investment it is.

# 9 – Manage your expectations

We get it, everyone wants to “make it.” That dream never really goes away, and that’s okay. But here’s the truth: engineers and producers aren’t magicians. They can’t wave a wand and turn you into a platinum-selling artist overnight. More often than not, bands walk into the studio and get their first real taste of what they actually sound like. It can be a harsh wake-up call. Songwriting takes years to develop, and learning how to grow together as a band takes even longer.

Chances are, you’re not going to land a record deal off your first demo or album and that’s perfectly fine. Because making music isn’t about chasing fame; it’s about enjoying the ride. It’s about playing shows, meeting new people, releasing music consistently, and creating fun content with your bandmates. If you focus on those things instead of the noise, you’ll build a lifelong passion for music and you’ll remember exactly why you fell in love with it in the first place.

# 10 – No one cares

One of the hardest realities to accept is this: no one cares about us as much as we think they do. Once I understood that, everything changed. I started living the way I’d always dreamed. The truth is, there’s an overwhelming amount of music out there. Hundreds of thousands of songs are uploaded every single day. So why even bother? Because for some of us, creating isn’t optional, it’s who we are. That urge never goes away, and music is one of the healthiest, most fulfilling ways to channel it.

If you’re starting this journey, focus on what truly matters: your friends, your experiences, and the memories you’ll create along the way. Studio time is one of those experiences you’ll never forget. I still remember the first studio I ever stepped into, and I talk about it to this day.

When I say “no one cares,” it doesn’t mean people won’t connect with your music. It means you shouldn’t worry about whether they do. Your job as an artist is to write music that moves you, period. You can’t control who likes it or who doesn’t once it’s out in the world. What you can do is create as much as possible, give people the chance to hear it, and most importantly, enjoy every single moment of making music with the people you love.

We did a Podcast covering many of these topics in-depth. Check it out below!