Capturing the moment

When I first started recording artists at my home studio, I'd open up FL Studio, create a new project from scratch, route my mic input, set up mixer tracks, load up some reverb and a compressor, adjust the levels… and by the time everything was finally ready, my artist was on the phone scrolling. 😅

Yee, sad but true. But that's on me. 

I was more of a technician than a producer in those moments. And worst of all, I didn’t even realize how much it was slowing me and the whole process down.

I wasn’t really engineering that much because I was focused on producing and I didn’t pay much attention to the recording process.

Now I even record my own vocals at my home studio sometimes - just for fun.

Unfortunetly, It took me years - I had to learn it the hard way - to understand that recording music, especially rap or any kind of vocal-heavy genre, is all about capturing emotion in the moment.

That magic doesn't always come back if you kill the momentum. And if you’re constantly distracted by technical stuff - routing, checking plugins, checking input levels - you’re already one step removed from the creative zone.

That’s when I discovered something that changed the way I work: a recording template. 🎙️

One. Simple. Thing.

It removed all the friction between me my artist and the music.

From that point on, every time I opened my DAW in my studio, I just had to load up a template and I was ready to record.

Today I want to break down what a recording template actually is, why every artist should have one, and how it can seriously upgrade the way you make music, especially if you're recording at your home studio. 🏠🎚️

Let's dive in. 📖

Creativity vs. Technicality

There’s a reason why some of the best recordings happen fast. It’s not about rushing the process, it’s about being present in the moment. 🎤

When inspiration hits, you want as little resistance as possible between your idea and the mic.

The problem is, when you’re also the engineer in your own session - and a lot of independent artists are - your brain gets split in half.

One side is trying to perform, the other is thinking about input levels, latency, routing, CPU usage, bla bla bla... ⚙️

This constant back and forth kills momentum.

You lay a take, then switch to mixer view, tweak a setting, go back, re-record, maybe mess up your FX chain by accident.

Before you know it, you’ve spent an hour and have nothing usable.

AND...

As you probably already know, the emotion behind a delivery matters just as much as the lyrics themselves. If you’re too focused on technical stuff, you can easily lose the feeling. And we don't want that. 

That’s why separating creativity and technicality is one of the best things you can do for your workflow.

You handle the technical stuff before you hit record. And then, when it’s time to perform, you’re free to focus on what really matters: energy, tone, flow, delivery.

That’s exactly where a recording template comes in. 🔴

What is a Recording Template?

In simple terms, a recording template is a pre-made session in your DAW that’s already set up for you to start recording instantly.

It has everything laid out: your vocal tracks, your mixer routing, your effects chain, even the colors if you're into that. 🎛️

You open it, hit record, and you’re good to go. Just a clean, ready-to-use environment that’s been built to support your workflow instead of getting in the way.

But a good recording template is more than just convenience. It’s a system. It reflects how you like to work.

Over time, your template becomes a reflection of your sound, your taste, and your process. It’s like walking into a studio that’s tailored just for you, except it’s on your laptop or home setup. 💻

Like I said in the beginning, I had to learn that you need a template the hard way.

I thought I had to start fresh every time. New session, new setup.

But once I realized how much mental energy I was wasting on repeating the same steps, I built my first vocal recording template in FL Studio.

Recording templates are used by professionals for a reason. Whether you’re tracking at home or in a studio, that consistency and speed make a huge difference.

And it’s not just an FL Studio thing. Ableton, Logic, Pro Tools, they all support templates.

Doesn’t matter what DAW you use. What matters is that when you sit down to record, you’re ready to create, not to route your mixer tracks.

Why do you need one?

If you’re reading this right now and still recording without a template, you might not even realize how much it’s slowing you down.

It’s like trying to cook a full meal without prepping your ingredients: chopping veggies while the pan is already hot, looking for spices while something’s burning. Sure, you can do it, but it’s stressful, messy, and the results usually suffer. 🍳

Sometimes that’s how it’s done in my kitchen 😂 - don’t judge me.

ANYWAY...

The more steps you have to take before you hit that red button, the more chances you have to lose your focus and your energy.

Having a recording template isn’t just about saving time. It’s about protecting your creativity. 🧠

When everything is already in place - I mean, routing, effects, etc. - it gives you the headspace to focus on your performance. You’re not wondering if your mic is too hot or if your delay is synced to the tempo. You’re fully in the moment.

Another big reason to use a template: consistency.

Every vocal you record is going to hit the same chain. It means your rough recordings already sound way closer to final.

Whether you’re sending demos to a producer, tracking features, or just recording ideas, your takes will sound tight straight out the gate.

And you won't have to waste time polishing your rough vocals every time you want to export a demo for yourself after a recording session. You’ll just export the demo as it is, because it already sounds good. ✅

So yeah, you could keep building every session from zero, routing everything manually, guessing your levels every time.

Or… you could have a system that’s always ready. I know what I’d choose.

How to use a recording template

Using a recording template is simple, and that’s the whole point.

You open your DAW, load up the template file, plug in your mic, and you're basically ready to go.

No digging through menus, no setting up tracks from scratch, no fumbling around with routing or FX. 🎚️

Everything is already in place, tuned to your workflow.

You can start recording vocals in seconds. And that quick start is crucial, especially when you're trying to capture an idea before you lose the vibe. 💡

The first step is either building your own template or grabbing a ready-made one that fits your setup.

If you’re working in FL Studio like me, you’d typically create a project file where your playlist is linked with your mixer, your mic input is already routed to a dedicated mixer track, with a basic vocal chain loaded.

If you want to try your hand at creating one yourself, then remember: Keep. It. Simple.

You’re not mixing a full song yet, you’re capturing a great take.

The goal is to sound good enough that you’re inspired, but not so over-processed that you can’t mix it properly later.

A great recording template should feel invisible.

And if you’re completely new to all this, you don’t have to overthink it, just start small.

Create a template with a dry vocal chain and a simple monitoring setup that lets you hear yourself clearly without latency.

You can always upgrade it later. ⬆️

Or if you want to skip the trial-and-error phase, you can grab a ready-to-go recording template, like the one I use in FL Studio, built specifically for vocalists who want pro-level sound straight out of the gate.

At the end of the day, it’s not about being fancy. It’s about staying focused.

Your best takes happen when you’re not thinking about anything else. And a solid template gets you there faster than anything else in your setup.

Bonus: Recording Templates for Different Genres / Artists

Not every artist works the same way, and that’s exactly why recording templates are so powerful.

You can tailor them to your genre, your vocal style, even your personality.

Whether you’re recording aggressive trap vocals, smooth R&B melodies, or melodic drill hooks, your ideal vocal chain is going to look a little different. And your recording template can reflect that. 🎧

For example, if you’re a rapper who likes tight, upfront vocals with little room sound, your template might have a fast compressor, a subtle de-esser, and barely-there reverb just to give it some air.

On the other hand, if you’re a singer who records dreamy hooks or emotional ballads, you’ll probably want a wider stereo image, longer delays, and maybe some Auto-Tune. 🎶

You can also build templates based on your own recording habits.

Maybe you like to record a lot of doubles, harmonies and ad-libs, set up tracks for those in advance, already routed with lighter FX.

The beauty of it is that you’re not locked into anything.

You can make multiple templates for different moods or genres.

You can also have one solid template with different options in it, it’s all up to you.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s vibe on demand.

And the more you personalize your templates, the faster you’ll get into that flow state where everything just works. 💪

Wrapping it up

At the end of the day, making music is about capturing something real.

And the less friction there is between your idea and the final recording, the more honest and powerful that music will be.

That’s what a recording template gives you. Not just convenience and speed, it gives you space to focus on the only thing that really matters: the performance. 🎤

I’ve spent a lot of time setting things up before they even press record.

But once you experience the flow of opening your DAW and being ready to go in seconds, there’s no going back.

It feels professional. It feels efficient. And it feels like the way it should’ve always been.

If you’re serious about your music - especially if you’re recording vocals regularly at home - a recording template is not optional.

It’s one of the most underrated tools you can have in your arsenal. And if you don’t have one yet, build one or grab one that’s already built for your DAW. 🛠️

If you’re using FL Studio, I’ve got a ready-to-record template designed specifically for artists who want pro-sounding vocals without the headache. It’s the same layout I use in my own sessions, and it’s helped a lot of people focus on what they came to do: record fire vocals. 🔥

And while you’re setting your studio up for success, don’t forget the other half of the equation: the beat. If you’re looking for industry-ready instrumentals that are already mixed and ready to record over, check out my beat catalog.

The bottom line?

Make your setup work for you, not against you. Get a recording template, load it up, and start creating like an artist who came to win.

Hope to hear some dope music from you soon.

Take care,

Baxon 👊