If it's not a hassle to bring extra snares and cymbals, do it. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

You may want to check with the studio in advance to see if they have a house kit. Of course, we'd all like to use our vintage gear, but if their kit is dialed in, it will save time. If time is wasted, let it be on account of someone else. I recorded a few months ago: I had a set of Slingerlands in the car, but the studio kit was fine for what we were trying to do.

Here are the most important things:

For you, make sure any gear you bring is in tune and in working order. Oil moving parts (pedals especially) and seriously consider fresh heads.

For your band, have a plan and be well-rehearsed. For a one-off session such as this, the studio is not a place for practice or jamming. Be aware that the engineer may wish to track final vocals separately, so time spent on basic tracks cuts into the time for overdubs.

Despite all of the above, relax and have fun. Don't overthink it: it should be like a successful rehearsal, except with a bunch of extra mics.

Al

Be well rested. Except perhaps for those who are old hands, it consumes a good deal of energy. Be prepared to be very patient, as well. Depending on the overall setup and the engineer involved, it can take a long time to actually get to the point where you do a take. If possible, be able to see your bass player and the lead singer. Sometimes they put you in different rooms and you get a bit disconnected as a result. Sometimes there are windows and that helps. Try to avoid letting them set you up looking at a wall!!

Enjoy!

Bring a few snares for some reason they sound different recording then live just my take on it , break a leg gary

Jim no good advice here but hope you have fun and enjoy recording! Please share with us when you can later after it's finished.

That's a neat gift. Are you recording Zeppelin style, as in full band together, no click?

For an alternate, reliable snare I'd bring an acrolite snare drum if you have one.

There's lots of great advice here.

In my experience the engineer is going to want a nice clean dry sound. Get or make a sound dampening ring for your snare like was discussed here a couple weeks ago. If you have an old head cut it out more or less where it hits the bearing edge then cut out the middle so what is left is two or three fingers wide all the way around.

Bring a feather pillow for your bass drum.

Have a great time.

Bring a roll of Gaffer tape with you aside from the obvious sticks, drum key, etc. Definitely oil moving parts (pedal, hat stand if required) beforehand. Have everything tuned. spare snare head, wires (and straps/cord!) is handy just in case. As is a spare pedal if you've got one. Anything that might fail and cost you time is a risk and should have a backup if possible. Bring more cymbals or snares if you've got them but don't stress if you've only got one rig. A towel is good for drying hands between takes if your hands sweat up a bit, also can pad out a drum throne that's a bit firm or muffle down a bass drum from outside the batter head if needed. Relax, don't take yourself too seriously while it's going on and enjoy it.

Great thread. Doubt I'll ever see the insides of a studio. Only thing I can think of is if hauling gear in this cold weather get there early and let it reach inside temp in the lobby/waiting area. Check tune.

Same as any new journey. If something was forgotten didn't need it anyway.

As stated just have a great time and consider this a practice run.

Wonderful present to give.

Creighton

Ok... awesome! Putting together a checklist. Sounds like we may be in separated rooms. So I guess the click track will come into play. This is going to be tough. There is a lot of communication that occurs by us all looking at each other while we play. I never play a song exactly the same twice in a row. Well we got two months to get ready for our ten hour session... goal is no less than three songs on the track. Maybe I can sneak a real pro in the back door since the rooms are separated. :)