As a budding musician in Los Angeles, it's crucial to have professional recording sessions for your projects to be in with the best chance of breaking into the industry and becoming a success. Los Angeles is often referred to as the heart of the entertainment industry, and much of the music we hear today was shaped by the LA music scene. When you come to choose a Los Angeles recording studio, you'll be spoiled for choice in this exciting and thriving musical city. Finding the best studio for your project may seem daunting when you're an emerging artist, but our guide will provide you with some top tips for how to find the one that is perfect for you.
Create A Shopping List
As with anything you spend money on, it's essential to do your research before you put any cash down so that you can ensure you'll get the results you're aiming for during your recording session. When you begin looking for a studio, consider how much professional expertise you will need in order to achieve your goals. If you only need a self-serve studio, splashing the cash for a team of professionals to join you would be unnecessary. If you have a busy schedule, many studios opening times won't suit your needs; find a Los Angeles mix recording studio that offers a 24/7 service and access to their spaces like PIRATE.COM.
It is also important that you consider the space you may need for your project. If you have a team of people working on the creation process and they all need to be present during a recording session, or you have large equipment, you will need to find a studio that offers you the appropriate amount of room.
Finally, consider the time you will need for a recording session. Many studios only offer one-hour time slots, and if you want to spend the whole day working on your project, you will need a studio that can provide you with larger slots to work in.
Set A Budget
When you create your shopping list, it's crucial that you organize it by what you consider a priority, especially if you have a smaller budget, as it's likely you will need to make compromises on what you keep and what you take off of your list. Ensuring you have the proper budget will provide you with the best platform to make the right choice on which studio will suit your needs.
Consider The Studio Location
Los Angeles is a big city, and you don't want to travel too far with all your gear when you book a recording session. Check out the studios that are closest to you first, and if they don't have what you need, slowly expand your search radius until you find the perfect studio that's within your budget. You can quickly eliminate any that don't have your top requirements and move on to ones that look promising; many studios allow you to come in and see the spaces they have available so that you can get a feel for where you would be working. Talk to the fellow musicians in your social circle or ask in public music groups for recommendations if you're still unsure of which studio to pick.
Recording Space And Facilities
When you're choosing the best recording studio for your project, size can be an essential factor; sometimes, ample space is necessary, but most studios offer small boutique spaces that are exceptionally designed for the perfect recording experience. A skilled producer will know the techniques you will need to employ in order to sound like you've come out of a larger space, but before you pick a studio, it's imperative you look out for the signs of a quality space.
Recording studios are traditionally made up of three rooms; the isolation or live room where the music is performed, the control room, and the machine room, which houses the noisier pieces of equipment. Modern studio designs mean that the traditional layout can be more flexible, especially in smaller studios where space may be a premium. In modern studios, you may find that the machine room has been replaced with sound-proofed furniture, and the live rooms are able to be divided into multiple sections with foldable sound-proofed doors.
Check The Acoustics
The best recording studios will be treated with sound absorption and diffusion materials on or in the studio walls and on surfaces. The aim of these materials is to create a space with the perfect acoustics that responds well to the sounds in order for them to be recorded with accuracy and precision. A good studio space can be manipulated to remove the possibility of dips or bumps in the volume at particular frequencies, and studio software can also be used to smooth out any acoustic weaknesses within the room.
Practical Access
Aside from finding a studio that is within an easy travel distance, it's essential to make sure there is practical access to the building. If you are bringing large equipment with you for your session, you will need a studio that offers vehicular access and easy parking for unloading and loading equipment.
The Sound Equipment
Recording sound well is dependent on the quality of the source of the sound, the acoustic properties of the space, microphone placement, and the equipment. It is crucial for a successful project that the equipment the studio you choose uses is of good quality. Speak to the studio before you book to see what they offer in their sessions to be sure you will end up with the best possible results.
Find The Right Atmosphere
In order for creativity to flow, you will need a recording studio that offers you the best atmosphere to suit your style and project. How the studio feels when you walk into work is vital for how you respond to the space; you may need a space that makes you feel at home or one that offers an edgy and exciting twist on the environment. For the best performance, you need to feel the creative energy when you walk into a room, and the perfect studio will provide you with that feeling.
