The Art of Studio Communication: Strategies and Practices

The Art of Studio Communication can be challenging to navigate. One of the most intriguing things about making records is the possibility of collaborating creatively with other people. Bringing different points of view and experiences to the table always enhances and enriches the final result of the project. 

However, collaboration also brings other challenges into consideration. For instance, communication between musicians/artists and the producer to find common ground or to understand the producer’s vision, in addition to how the engineers achieve the sound they are after. Communication and using references in music-making are essential in any production process to finding common ground between the whole team.

During the 2024 European Audio Engineering Society convention in Madrid, two studies showed how communication strategies and reference tracks can significantly impact the recording process. In particular, the presented article “There is some Sh*t in there,” followed up by a workshop, provided great insight into common practices applied in a recording environment. Musicologists David Beckett and Lisa Barg, alongside recording engineers Richard King and George Massenburg, examined how producers, recording engineers and musicians use verbal language to create music in the studio.

Music production alumnus and freelance writer Carlos Bricio examines some strategies and practices for achieving The Art of Studio Communication.

VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION 

Recording studios are full of complex social dynamics. They are places where creativity can arise, but also insecurities, authorities, arguments, and frustration. How people enter the studio and interact with one another can impact the session’s progress. That’s why communication is vital.

A combined balance of verbal and nonverbal language in the studio is essential. This may include musical notation, music theory knowledge, sounds, gestures, and responses between musicians. Good communication also involves a shared understanding of music between the producer, the talent, and the engineer. This can be achieved via analogies, metaphors, references, and shared background experiences. That being said, these forms of communication are difficult to generalise since there is no universal agreement between them. Nonetheless, that’s why finding a shared space and vocabulary is critical to achieving a successful session.

METAPHORS

“Think like a drum machine,” “Make the guitar sound brighter,” or “Play it tighter” are common expressions heard in a studio environment. However, they might not mean the same to everyone in the session. Using metaphors to communicate feelings and ideas is standard practice by musicians and producers. However, it is essential to understand how each participant perceives them. 

During the convention, Professor Beckett showed how they documented and explored this form of communication as an intrinsic part of the creative process. Analysing the participants’ interactions in several recording sessions, they observed how using the right metaphors can be beneficial in driving the recording forward. However, choosing them poorly can cause frustration and delay the whole process. That is why producers/engineers Richard King and George Massenburg insisted on maintaining positive conversation during the talks. Focusing on what the artist likes, what they have done right, and keeping morale high during the session will help the producer keep things on the right track.

REFERENCES

Reference tracks are benchmarks or model songs representative of your music’s desired sound. They help create a shared conception of the project’s goal and coordinate the production’s approach and expectations. Whether the song’s tone, groove or overall feeling, having a reference track helps the team be on the same page.

Having references doesn’t mean making a copy of them. They help as inspiration and set the starting point and direction of the production. A study by Soumya Sai Vanka from Queen Mary University of London showed how using reference tracks or demo mixes for songs can help with communication, creative process, and decision-making in music production. They can even be used to train artificial intelligence to facilitate the mixing process and improve a common understanding.

PRODUCER’S ROLE 

Communication is critical to ensuring the correct interpretation of these references. As a producer, it is paramount to weigh everyone’s ideas, understand their intentions, and lead the production to common ground. If you want a successful session, keep constant communication. Ensure everyone is comfortable, and most importantly, be positive, kind, and helpful! 

At Abbey Road Institute, we understand the importance of using effective communication strategies in the studio. That is why students on the Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering often play different roles during studio sessions. This helps them understand how each person feels in the room and manage interpersonal relationships during recording and production. 

The Audio Engineering Society (AES) unites audio engineers, creative artists, scientists and students worldwide by promoting advances in audio and disseminating new knowledge and research. 

If you are interested in Soumya Sai Vanka’s research or Professor Beckett’s and collaborators’ study on communication strategies, you can read their articles in the AES e-library. 

If you like our feature on The Art of Studio Communication, you may also enjoy Studio Etiquette: Three Lessons We Learn As Children You Should Apply in the Studio.