In one week, I'll be helming my first attended studio session in over three months. It's with one of my favorite long-time clients, and we're knocking out basic tracks for a single song; a short, simple, focused day. But I'm extremely nervous. (If you're reading this issue right now in 2020, you know the context and why. If it's 2050, and you're on some new version of the internet researching "ancient music recording techniques," then do a little digging and you'll see what was going on right now.)
I've certainly been nervous about upcoming recordings before. Imposter Syndrome sometimes rears its ugly head, whispering in my ear the fear that the musicians will see right through me catching my bluff, and the session will crumble in front of me. Or maybe it's a date where I don't quite know what to expect or prepare for, with people I've never met, and many potential (unknown) technical hurdles to overcome. Some days just getting my head in the right space to listen intently and guide everyone in the room, all while getting sounds and keeping an eye on the gear, can be a lot to prep for.