Is your band getting ready to go into the studio to record? How prepared are you and your band-mates for this? If you are well prepared the tracking will go smoothly. If you are unprepared it will be a challenge and you will defiantly spend more time in the studio getting everything tracked correct. Are all the drumming parts worked out? Do you know where all your changes are in the songs? Have you worked out the drumming pauses and accents with your guitarist? Go through everything with your guitarists and bass player. Are you playing every note right? I have seen many bass players playing a wrong note in a verse or chorus this is the stuff you need workout beforehand. If your band has two guitarists are you playing the strumming patterns the same? Maybe in the verse you are but not in the chorus. Have one of the guitar players sit down with the other guitar player and play your parts with just each other. Then do the same with one guitarist and the bass player. The tighter you can get the playing the better your record will sound. This is also where pre-production comes in. If it is in the budget do a quick pre-production recording to work this stuff out. Or just record it yourself if you have the know-how. This will save you hours in the studio.
Makes sure you have the tempo times of each song writing down when you come to the studio. Do not just make them up on the spot. Most of the time you will record them too fast that way. Record the songs on your phone and make sure it is the right tempo. Your drummer needs to be able to play to a click and do it well. I will say this again your drummer needs to be able to play to a click. This will insure the songs are played right from the start. Are you going to be using your own gear or does the studio have gear available for you to use. If you are using your own make sure it is fully functional. Meaning the amps work and are re-tubed if needed. The guitars and basses are intonated and set up by a pro. All the guitars and basses at A-Room Studios have been set up recently by a pro-tech. Make sure you have plenty of new strings and picks. If you are using your kit does it have new heads and is it tuned up and ready to go. If you are using the studios kit make sure you bring extra stuff like kick pedals, sticks, extra cymbals etc. It is better to be over prepared then under prepared.
How are your vocals? Are you still reading the vocals off a piece of paper? If so, you are then you are not ready to record. You must be so used to the vocals that you do not even need to think about the words. Singing is hard enough. Do not make it harder by fumbling the words while you are recording. Have some hot tea and honey available or have your guitarists make a run to Starbucks. This will help your throat and your singing. Do not bring a bunch of people to the studio. Only bring the people who need to be there. Vocals are intimate having 10 friends around is not going to help you get the vocals tracked correctly.