LIVE DRUMS

1. Brand new heads on drums; snare drum triple mandatory.
Toms : Top: Remo, clear or coated Ambassadors, Emperors, or Pinstripes. Evans Genera 1, 2, or 3. Bottom: Remo clear diplomats or ambassadors. Evans Resonator.
Kick: Remo Powerstroke 3 or Pinstripe. Evans EQ 2
Snare: Remo, Coated Ambassador, CS or Emperor. Evans Genera 1,2
2. No muffling on drums, especially no "dead ringers".
(We'll do that in the studio, if necessary.)
3. Oil all pedals.
4. Have all proper felt and plastic insulators for cymbals.
5. Bring several tuning keys.
6. Tape down any hardware that makes noise.
7. Expect at least 3 hours to set up and get a reasonable drum sound.
8. Bring several sticks.

If you are recording with a sequencer, have all of your sequences done before setting foot in the studio.

SEQUENCED DRUMS

1. Be able to have each drum sound generated out of a separate output.
2. Know how to assign to the outputs.
(If your drum machine or keyboard only has two outputs, L & R, know how to receive external SMPTE, MTC or FSK synchronization and how to turn off the different voices internally. This will allow us to lay the drums down separately locked to tape.)

ALWAYS BRING YOUR MANUALS!!!!!!!

Get guitars and basses INTONATED before the recording so everyone can actually tune their instruments!!!!! Especially for drop tuning! Two sets of strings for everyone so if you break a string you’re not stuck. Also, consult the engineer/producer about preferences. Get all amps fixed if broken. If you’re going to use rental gear because it’s superior to yours, rehearse with it at least once so you can get used to it or discover any bugs.

ELECTRIC BASS

1. Bring your own amplifier (if you want to use one).
2. New strings, stretched and broken in. I swear by D’Addario Slow Wounds! The recording bass strings of Love!
3. Be prepared to go through a direct out in addition to any amplification you bring.
4. Fresh batteries (and spares) in any battery-powered equipment or accessories.
5. All jacks and cables repaired or replaced.

ELECTRIC GUITAR

1. New strings, stretched and broken in. Strings made of Nickel seem to stay in tune the best
2. Bring your own amplifier and effects rack (if you want to use them).
3. Know how to back off your reverbs and related effects; not including distortion and tremolo, wah-wah. The cleaner the print, the better.
4. Fresh batteries (and spares) in any battery-powered equipment or accessories.
5. All jacks and cables repaired or replaced.

ACOUSTIC GUITAR

1. New strings, stretched and broken in. Strings made of Nickel seem to stay in tune the best. Fresh batteries (and spares), if necessary.

KEYBOARDS

1. Multi-timbral for sequences.
2. Know how to turn off voices internally, and how to assign to outputs.
3. Don’t forget your pedals, stand, manuals and power cable.

VOCALS

1. Take it easy on your voice in the 2-3 days prior to recording.
2. Avoid consuming any dairy products on the day of your session. (Allegedly, dairy products create mucous.) Water is good, but no ice. Tea with some lemon is good, or even a sip of Brandy.
3. Don't kill yourself on scratch vocals.
4. WRITE LYRICS OUT (preferably typed) for the engineer to follow with. Also write out each chorus; don’t just put “Chorus” for repeated choruses.