This is a checklist that I usually give to a client before they come in to record. It covers most situations, such as being fully rehearsed with the arrangements clear through to copyright clearance and having all accessories ready and working.
The idea is that the client will waste as little of their precious time as possible by being fully prepared before the session starts.
Are you fully rehearsed?
Are the arrangements finalized?
Have you settled any sound recording copyright issues in advance?
Are all instruments and accessories ready?
Guitarist checking the battery status of their gear; or bring extra batteries in addition to the power adapters in case of accidental malfunction
Vocalist and backup vocalist printing the lyric sheets in advance
Drummers making sure their drum sticks work or in good condition
Check for serious tuning problems in case of guitar strings and replacing faulty strings days before actual recording
Is the tempo of every song confirmed?
Are song demos uploaded?
For the producer - As you listen to the song, ask yourself a few questions. Does it need to be faster or slower? What instrumentation do you hear in your head? Does the arrangement need to change? Do the transitions work? How about the chord structure? Let your imagination run with it for a few days
New drum skins fitted (if required)
Spare set of sticks
Organize a second snare drum for tuning options
Organize a second set of cymbals for options
Are the guitars setup and restrung?
Is the bass setup and restrung if required?
Do you have a spare set of strings for any guitars?
Print out the lyrics (3 copies)
Are the backing vocals parts written in advance and rehearsed?
Have you organised the production budget and payment schedule?
Have you prepared a complete list of credits in the recording project?
https://www.audiorecording.me/music-production-credits-in-recording-essential-documentation.html
Below is how you are going to fill up the details:
Date started– the date that the recording started
Song title– the official title of the song. If the song is copyrighted, use the title registered
Music publisher/writers – who wrote the song as well as the publishers. Sometimes artist and producers rush to the studios without giving proper credits to the songwriters and publishers. This can result to a legal issue particularly if the labels/artist/producers did not make an agreement with the publisher to use the song. Bear in mind that if you did not write the song, you have to ask permission before you can use it whether it’s for non-commercial or commercial reasons
Original/Cover – if the artist wrote the song, it is their original work. Otherwise its cover; the record producer should know this so that proper licensing procedures are implemented. Recording studio engineers should discourage recording of cover songs without proper authorization or license
Artist– the name of the artist or band
Album- if you are recording an album project, write the album name
Label– the name of the label, if the project doesn’t have label, use the owner of the sound recording copyright (in this case the artist if they are the one financial the entire sessions)
Producers – the one who is responsible for approving and disapproving the recording take. Sometimes the label hires producers or it can just be the artist themselves
Studio – name of the recording studio
Engineers – the name of the recording engineer in-charge; including the assistant if applicable
Operating system– the OS used by the computer to record the tracks
DAW– the recording software used e.g. Reaper, Pro tools, Cubase, etc.
Bit depth– e.g. 24-bits, 32-bit float. Never use 16-bit when tracking
Sample rate– e.g. 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz, 96 KHz, 192 KHz. Never use less than 44.1 KHz
Audio Interface – the analog to digital hardware interface used, e.g. Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 or DigiDesign Mbox.
