The Professional Recording Studio is Here to Stay
You’ve accumulated an impressive collection of records and have spent hours working on creating new music. What next?
If you’re serious about a career in music, you’ll need more than a basement studio or an amateur bedroom to create quality work. A high-end working studio requires more than just microphones and soundboards. You’ll need a space that features the right design elements and is soundproof, so it doesn’t disturb the neighbors.
Despite the DIY culture we live in, the professional recording studio is here to stay. From collaborating with other artists to recording in a professional and creative environment, the need for recording studios will always exist. Here’s why.
Creating the Right Space Is Difficult
Artists and brands of all niches and sizes create more recorded content than ever before, for both internal and external use. A professional studio environment is ideal for producing professional and high-quality sound.
But why is a professional space so much better than a set-up studio at home, or a makeshift studio put together by a brand?
Let’s face it. The odds that your home or office space already offers the ideal room for a studio is slim. The most compatible type of room would be expansive, with soaring ceilings and uneven walls and surfaces.
That’s a unique find to start with, which is why the professional recording studio will always be sought after.
Those that want to transform a room at home or elsewhere into a recording studio usually have to isolate the space from the surrounding house’s structure. This consists of fitting double walls, floating floors, and additional ceilings. As you can imagine, this is quite a job and can be very challenging.
Size Matters
While beginners may appreciate the coziness and intimacy of a small recording studio, bigger and more professional spaces offer room for multiple musicians and plenty of much-needed equipment. This is great for when various musicians want to collaborate and need the room.
Many professional studios provide multiple rooms for different functions. Likewise, professional spaces are completely geared up for recording for the best sound and comfort.
For example, carpeting absorbs high frequencies but not low ones, which can affect acoustics. That means that good professional studios will consider this and will instead have a hardwood or tile floor. If you require a carpet for a drum kit, most studios can provide this too.
There are many elements required to create the ideal environment for recording, and professional studios cover these, so you don’t have to.
Many studios also offer spaces that combine as a meeting room. This type of set-up can save a lot of prep time and helps motivate customers to record.
Sourcing Optimal Acoustics
Sourcing the right optimal acoustics is a challenging and expensive task for those who want to create a studio at home. The quality of acoustics should never be skipped, as the studio's sound is arguably the most critical element.
Have you ever noticed how sharp every noise is when you step foot into a cathedral? Can you remember tuning into the rhythm of your footsteps and the beautiful sounds of the choir singing?
If the answer is yes, that’s because cathedrals are built to sound beautiful. And, of course, most homes and offices aren’t designed for sounds like professional studios are.
For those wanting to transform a space in the home or elsewhere into a recording studio, a lot of work will need to be done to raise the standard. Excessive natural decay must be eliminated with acoustic absorption panels on the walls and bass traps.
After absorption, to balance the uncomfortable ‘dead’ sound, diffusers work to scatter sound reflections. This is to ensure sound doesn’t get trapped.
The treatments of absorption and diffusion result in a quiet yet comfortable air that is more suitable for recording. It also gives that unique ‘vibe’ that studios have.
Sure, it’s possible to work with a room at home to make it work more like a studio. But is it worth the hassle when professional studio production is bound to offer a superior and more high-quality sound?
Soundproofing
Likewise, any amateur studio will need soundproofing. You don’t want to get in trouble with the council, after all.
While acoustic treatments adjust sound reflections in a studio, soundproofing minimizes the level of noise that travels in and out.
Inside the studio, any noise from computer fans, hardware racks, HVAC systems, and footsteps must cancel out. Outside, noise from people, traffic, weather, and plumbing can butcher a recording.
Again, soundproofing a space is a big job, so you may prefer to leave it to the professionals.
To soundproof a room, add mass to the walls to stop vibrations and block any air gaps that may allow sound to travel through. To reduce noise inside the studio, keep computers and microphones away from each other. Set acoustic treatments behind the musician where the mic is most sensitive.
Various types of drywall offer significant isolation characteristics that don’t take up too much space. But audio is fickle, and so for the best results, you shouldn’t cut corners. That makes soundproofing a room expensive as well as time-consuming.
Professional soundproofing installation from experienced technical designers is required for those who want to turn a room at home or elsewhere into a recording studio.
Generally, finding a quiet and relaxed space is often one of the most challenging tasks of setting up a professional recording studio. But, of course, it’s among the most important.
After all, nobody wants to hear the hum of air conditioning, construction, loud sirens, and other background noises in the final recording. Likewise, the sound will bounce off the walls and produce echoes if a studio is too big and sparsely furnished.
When you choose a professional recording studio, rest assured that the location has been selected and designed to offer high-quality sound. Avoid spending time, energy, and money setting up a recording studio that’s unlikely to live up to the standards of a professional space.
Audio
Of course, the right audio equipment is required too. Again, this can all be significantly expensive. And configuring the audio is another tricky part of professional recording.
The most important part is microphone placement. A poorly placed microphone won’t offer great results, no matter how expensive or professional it is.
Built-in camera microphones may suffice when mucking about with friends, but these lack in quality and offer little control.
Microphones should be close to the performer. For this reason, choosing wireless lapel microphones is a wise idea. A popular and versatile option is the Sennheiser EW 100.
Placed correctly, a cardioid condenser boom mic would also be a good idea.
By booking a professional recording studio, you can avoid the hassle and expense of choosing and setting up audio equipment. Rest assured that high-quality and suitable recording tools have been chosen for the best results.
Another necessary tool is a sound mixer. Why? Each volume is unique in terms of volume, timbre, and enunciation.
That means microphone settings must be adjusted for each performer on an individual basis. If two people are singing together, their volume setting much complement each other.
Likewise, mixers can determine baseline background noise levels and eliminate them in the final audio.
Getting the audio right takes a lot of time, energy, and practice. Using a professional recording studio with the correct equipment saves a lot of time and trouble.
Renting a Professional Recording Studio
While it’s feasible for individuals and businesses to build a recording studio themselves, it can be a significant time, money, and energy sink. Sourcing equipment, setting everything up, getting the spacing just right, all requires expertise and time.
If you’re interested in recording without the hassle of setting up a studio, a professional recording studio is an excellent and cost-effective option. At MNYK, we’re here to help. Discover more about what our studio space offers here and get booked in.
