Session Recall Sheet
Log mics, positions, preamps and outboard settings with photos, so you can set a session up again months later. By Music Manager Resource.
Session Recall Sheet is part of the Studio section of Music Manager Resource.
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What a recall sheet is for
A recall sheet is a record of how a session was set up. It notes which mic went on which source, where it sat, which preamp it went through, how much gain it had and what outboard was in the chain. Months later, when the band want one more guitar part or a vocal that matches the last one, you can get close to the same sound without guessing. It is one of those jobs that feels unnecessary right up to the day you need it.
What to write down
Be specific enough that someone else could set it up. A mic name alone is not enough, because the position usually matters as much as the model. Note the distance and angle, such as ten centimetres from the grille and just off centre. Write down the preamp and gain, any pad or high-pass filter, and the compressor or EQ settings if you printed them. Add the things that are easy to forget: the guitar and strings used, the amp settings, the snare tuning, and where the singer stood in the room.
Why photos help
A photo of a mic position or a row of knobs can show in seconds what would take a paragraph to describe. Take one from a distance so the room is visible and another up close. You can add up to four photos to this sheet. They are made smaller automatically and included in the PDF.
How to use this sheet
Fill in the session details, then add one row for each input. Save it to your account, then export a PDF and keep it in the same folder as the session. That way the two stay together, even if you move to a new computer or drive.
Good habits
Do it while the session is still set up, or take your photos before anything gets moved. Agree a naming pattern for your files so a sheet can always be matched to the right session. If you work with an assistant, it is a good job to share with them and a useful way for them to learn how you work.