Bedroom Studio Efficiency

Creative people tend to thrive on spontaneity. This makes for good art, but poor time management can be a huge barrier to productivity, especially when life is full of other more important responsibilities. Here are 3 tips for yielding the best results from limited time in the bedroom studio.

1. Be prepared.

Before I step into the studio, I like to make sure I have an "empty plate."

A cluttered home leads to a cluttered mind. If I have to try to remember to take out the trash and put the laundry away while I'm working on music, I leave less mental space for my role as a bedroom producer.

In addition to my environment, I like to make sure my body is maintained. I don’t want the need to eat or sleep to interfere with what I'm doing in the studio. Exercise also helps me relax into my work.

And most importantly, I never dive into a session without first setting goals. One of my favorite approaches is to take a few minutes beforehand to listen to the current project in my car, which has a decent sound system, and write down a list of the things I want to do to improve the mix.

2. Stay focused.

Distractions slow me down in the studio. I try to put my phone to the side and make myself available only in the case of an emergency. I also like to keep my browser closed, unless I need to research something relevant to what I'm working on.

Obsession can also interfere with my productivity. As I go through the aforementioned list of goals, I check things off and move on. If I start to sense that my wheels are spinning, I take a break or switch tasks. I might become bored with setting levels, for instance, and realize I’d have more fun at the moment adjusting tone or even working on a different project altogether. I try to have an open mind.

Comfort is also key to bedroom studio efficiency. I like to have a cup of coffee near me if it isn't too late in the day. Sometimes I alternate sitting and standing. I keep the environment outside of my head comfortable so that I can focus more on what’s going on inside my head.

3. Know when to stop.

Eventually, we all run out of steam. As important as it is to improvise and throw things against the wall, it’s just as important to have a standard and be able to admit when things don’t stick.

I like to set a time limit for a bedroom studio session. If I still feel productive when the time has run out, I might keep going, but at the very least, the limit will require me to reflect on my progress so far.

This is often the moment I realize I’m splitting hairs or, in some cases, doing more harm than good. When this happens, I try to cut myself off and return with a fresh perspective. It's not always easy to let go, but I'm always glad I did once I come back and hear the mix with new ears.

---

The message here is simple: don't let a tight schedule get between you and your craft. Make the most of your precious free time.