First time in the studio!!! Looking for some gear advice

[DanAdams]

I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to try each one out and decide what I think sounds best on recording day

Don't count on it. And even if you do, if the rest of the band is standing around getting bored watching their money fly out the window, is it really going to improve the vibes and help make the songs better?
For musicians, especially studio newbies, a successful long studio day's result will come from managing expectations and emotions more than fiddling with knobs.

 

[TomB]

Don't count on it. And even if you do, if the rest of the band is standing around getting bored watching their money fly out the window, is it really going to improve the vibes and help make the songs better?
For musicians, especially studio newbies, a successful long studio day's result will come from managing expectations and emotions more than fiddling with knobs.

Instead, you can stand around and get bored watching the engineer spend endless minutes getting the drum sound .

 

[Bass Motifs]

Have fun! And post a link to the album!!

 

[C Stone]

I normally split mic'd/DI if an artist wants his rig
as an option, I make a few more $'s and have
the ability to sub-mix the DI and mic'd channels. Sometimes options are the best of both worlds...

 

[DanAdams]

Instead, you can stand around and get bored watching the engineer spend endless minutes getting the drum sound .

Yes, that should be expected. Getting good drums sounds is far more complex. guitars are also more complex.
The rest of the band should probably get away from the studio for drum sounds. hearing toms get struck ad nauseam doesn't do anyone any favors.