Advise in how to work with bands in the recording process
Recently I have been working with a few different bands and they have discussed audio engineers and how previous audio engineers have not given a great recording session for the band members. Here is my do's and do not's on how to treat bands in a recording session.
firstly work on becoming confident in talking to the band. Yes they are in a group but they need to understand who you are and projecting confidence will make the band confident in your ability, Bands are always worried about the first meeting with an audio engineer and its quite a worry to them as  they don't know you and may be paying you to do some work. If you confidently talk they can ease their worry's and it makes recording all the easier.
Secondly being professional helps but try to connect with your clients as it helps. Becoming friends with your clients always helps make sessions easier as you enjoy the time more. Its friendship also helps the band trust you and helps you, it helps you gain their trust and in this business you need that.
Thirdly go the extra mile help set up their drums instead of rushing into the microphone setup. This helps as you can help move things along. One place its useful to help is with moving the equipment into the studio this speeds up the setup time and keeps them happy.
Finally and most importantly! Recently I've herd a lot of bad stories of how studios have treated band members like rubbish. Why? Its your client! If you let them have say in what they want e.g. is the any problems with this take is it the sound like you want for your track? asking this question helps so much as bands rarely want what you want taking some time to understand what they want makes your job easy. I mean why alienate and ignore the people who are paying you for what they want? isn't the customer always right and the first rule of business is dont shout at the clients who pay your wage.
