Ever wonder what a recording studio is?
Well, basically a recording studio is a facility used for sound recording and mixing. Just about all music and everything you listen to on the radio is recorded in a professional studio.
In a recording studio both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician or audio engineer to achieve optimum acoustic properties (acoustic isolation or diffusion or absorption of reflected sound that could otherwise interfere with the sound heard by the listener). Top quality sound is produced due to the special design of the studio, which is why many artists opt for recording in a professional music studio vs. a home studio.
What are Recording Studios used for?
Recording studios may be used to record singers, instrumental musicians, voice-over artists for advertisements or dialogue replacement in film, television or animation, or to record their accompanying musical soundtracks.
The typical recording studio consists of a room called the “studio” or “live room”, equipped with microphones and mic stands, where instrumentalists and vocalists perform; and the “control room”, where sound engineers, sometimes with record producers, operate professional audio mixing consoles, effects units, or computers.
Tips on Choosing a Recording Studio
So now that you know more about what goes on in a recording studio, interested in booking one?
Great! But with all the options out there, how to decide which studio is right you’re for your project?
First, decide what your purpose is. If you are recording music try and pick a producer with recording experience in your chosen genre. Here are some tips to help you select the right studio and producer for your music recording goals.
- Find a local studio with positive reviews. Then select one of their recording producers to work with
- Research the producer thoroughly – check out the music they have produced recently before booking studio time. Before approaching them, make sure you are clear about what you want to achieve, and know what you want your sound to be. Perhaps prepare a mood board to take with you that includes genre/similar artists etc. to give the producer a firm idea of your vision.
- Ask the producer to send samples of their work that is most relevant to your music then ask yourself ‘are they easy to deal with, and is their communication clear?
- Get advice from fellow musicians to find out who produced their recordings and get a firsthand view on what the producer was like to work with.
- Try and choose a producer within a reasonable location to save money, unless the producer has an impressive portfolio. It also makes editing the recording easier further down the line!
- Now that you’ve selected a producer, it’s time to get started! Be sure to be confident with the producer you choose and allow them to guide you using their professional expertise.
Choosing the right studio for your project can be time consuming and downright confusing. It can be expensive if you make the wrong choice. So, be sure to follow the tips above to get the most out of your recording!