Hi
Do you have a vision for your latest production?
It's all to easy to jump into record mode once you've sketched out a new song, but as with many things in life, good preparation will improve the outcome of your task.
Here are the procedures I go through between finishing an arrangement and actually recording my new song. It's all about visualizing in your mind the steps you'll go through to complete the song and being true to the idea and feel of the creation.
1. Print out your lead sheet (lyrics with chords as a minimum). Never start recording without a finished, printed out lead sheet (sometimes called 'chart').
2. Write down you vision for the song. Include background story of your song, what style and feel you want to create. Basically what it's about and how you want it to sound.
3. Find a commercially released song that is in the same style as yours. You will use this as a benchmark for instrumentation and production, an aid to the shape of your song, not to clone musical ideas or melodies.
4. Print out any production sheets you may use. It may be helpful to have a template for tracking parts (individual tracks on your DAW) etc. Drawing out your imaginary room and placing your instruments within it can be a great start point.
5. Write out the parts you have visualized for your song on your tracking production sheet.
6. Create a new project file in your DAW BUT make sure you import your chosen 'benchmark' commercial song as this will guide you and keep you focused. Keep referring to it all through the tracking, mixing and mastering stage.
7. Record your parts in line with your initial vision.
8. Mix to your vision and your 'benchmark' track.
9 Master your song in-line with your vision and your 'benchmark' track.
10. Congratulations you are now a visionary songwriter. You will begin to see your finished product before you start!