Finding the right recording studio, whether a home studio or a large professional studio, takes work. As good equipment became more affordable, there was a surge in home studios and people choosing to record in someone’s basement of a professional recording studio.
Considerations when choosing one over the other:
Home studios usually have fixed rates, while professional studios usually have hourly rates. They may pay a fixed fee because they have much less overhead than a professional studio. A home studio will often be cheaper, and you won’t have to constantly focus on how much extra time it takes to record your tracks. If you choose a professional studio, plan your budget. Half for recording, half for mixing and mastering. It will help you spend less time focusing on the past hours and more time on your productivity.
Programming is always difficult. It depends on how many other projects they have, how experienced the engineer is, etc. Programming can often be more difficult in a professional studio if they’re busy and you’re not their most important client. In home studios, you can be the primary or only client, making it easy to get in and work on your album. However, the actual recording process in a home studio can take longer.
It is debatable, but you will often get higher quality from a large study. Acoustics and quality go hand in hand, and large studios often have better acoustics because they can invest heavily in their recording rooms. They will have equipment and engineers to get the job done.
Many studios employ good engineers with years of experience. If you need specific equipment, you must make sure they have it. Otherwise, they will spend more money to find and rent it for your requirements. However, well-equipped studios will have more overheads and higher rates. It’s a give and take.
Check out theĀ recording studio in san antonio before signing anything! You will have specific needs, so make sure your research meets those needs. For example, if you need to record drums, ensure they have a drum room with the acoustics you need. Don’t take acoustics lightly, especially if you have a particular style or sound in mind.
Summary
Know how you want your end product to look. Unless you’re on a major label, most of the time, a small or medium sized studio will do the trick and be a lot easier on your budget. If you need specific equipment, acoustics, etc., only sacrifice quality if necessary.