How do you choose the right studio to record music?

You have a talent for singing, already have your songs, and even a great following online. Now, all that’s left is recording and releasing your songs!

The global recorded music industry made an annual revenue of $26.2 billion in 2022. So, you have enough space in this thriving industry.

However, if you can’t choose a recording studio, let us guide you!

1. Understand your budget

To begin this journey, you must first know your budget. Define your budget way before you start speaking to any studio.

You must also add a 10-15% buffer of the original budget to accommodate unexpected expenses. For instance, you may need to extend your time, need more equipment, or have accidental gear breakdowns.

Next, ask yourself these questions:

• Do I need to hire musicians?
• Do I need to hire a personal sound engineer?
• Will I rent other instruments?

Consider these while building your budget.

Remember not to chase the studios with the cheapest rates. Their quality may be subpar. On the other hand, don’t blindly choose the ones with the highest rates. They never guarantee the best package or results.

However, reputable recording studios always have a good history and portfolio. They will be much more expensive than the rest.

2. Make the best out of your money

Some studios may consider giving discounts during the off-peak seasons. You can also ask if they have discounts.

You can also film the recording sessions for the music video. This will cut down video shooting expenses.

3. Consider the studio location

If there are several studios in your locality, figure out how far you want to go. Everyone wants an accessible place you, your music team, and other guest performers can easily reach.

However, you may need to adjust if you’re looking for specifically rare facilities or if there are not enough studios. In that case, check for nearby hotel and restaurant availability.

4. Know the staff

Once you choose a recording studio, visit them and familiarize yourself with the staff – especially the owner and all audio, studio, mix, and mastering engineers. 

Discuss what sorts of music they have experience with. Their experience will tell if you guys are a good fit.

If there are any incompatibilities, think whether it can become an issue moving forward. Sometimes, it can also help to bring a new twist and perspective to the entire process. So, think wisely.

Some recording studios and their engineers may specialize in only specific music genres. So, if you have a specific genre in mind, ask whether the studio caters to such genres.

4. Judge the facilities

Answer these questions:

• Is the live recording room spacious enough for your entire band?
• Do you want several isolation rooms?
• Do you like the vibe of the place?
• Do you like how the music sounds in the rooms?

You must also check the acoustic quality of the recording rooms. Know that a good studio must have excellent sound treatment and be able to record high-quality sound.

If you have a positive answer, figure out the best thing about the studio. How does it provide you with more than the other studios?

If you’re based in Australia, it’s best to compare the best recording studios Melbourne so that you get the best!

5. Ensure there’s great equipment

Test the studio equipment to know whether it aligns with the vision of your music and requirements. Make sure they have functional and quality professional recording equipment.

Ensure there are several monitoring systems for playback. Check out their microphones and their sound quality. They must have many mics, consoles, preamps, and recording software. All equipment must be updated to get the best results.

Nowadays, most studios have digital equipment. But if you need analog equipment, ensure they have those.

Many studios have their samples on their website or Soundcloud. If there are none, ask them to share recordings of your genre.

6. Ask about the studio policies

Discuss their policies about payment, session lengths, cancellation, and extra or hidden charges. Communicate clearly about everything to avoid misunderstandings.

7. Discuss the time needed

Novice musicians often think a music recording can be completed within 24 hours. They only need to perform their best, get the tune mixed and mastered, and it’s done.

However, that’s far from the truth. Such expectations will only disappoint you. You may even feel frustrated in the process.

Know that the time needed for each project varies depending on several factors. So, ask the sound engineers about the average time needed to record. Get an estimate so that you don’t lose patience.

Usually, it takes less time if you have your equipment, are organized, and have rehearsed enough to perform your best at the first take.

8. Check reviews

Before you finalize a studio, check their online reviews, references, and testimonials from other artists. Prioritize the reviews of artists of the same genre. Feedback can help you recognize the overall quality of a studio.

Conclusion

With careful consideration of all the above steps, you’ll find the right studio to record perfectly in your budget. So, don’t wait any longer and get started!