Whether you are a classically trained musician, a jazz musician, a hip-hop artist, or a rock superstar in an upward trajectory, having space where you can record and practice your music is a must. However, most musicians aren’t that lucky to have their own spaces where they can record music and play with other musicians. Also, if you want to have your studio, you have to invest in it heavily to get the sound you want from it. And again, you have to have a lot of technical knowledge and experience to actually set up the studio and manage it properly. This is why most musicians decide to rent a studio both for practice and recording. In this guide to renting a music studio, we are going to explore what you need to know about renting a studio and what should you look for. So, without further ado, let’s play!
What kind of studio do you need?
When it comes to renting a music studio, know that there are a lot of different recording studios. As a musician, you have to ask yourself what kind of music do you play and what kind of sound do you want. Also, you have to worry about the money you are willing to spend in the recording studio. There are high-end studios that can charge up to 200$ and more dollars per hour. For that money, you can remodel your home! Also, there are a lot of mid-end studios that usually cost about 70$ per hour, and there are studios that are available for amateurs and people who are not willing to spend large sums amount of money in the studio. Rappers have it easy. Recording vocals over a backing track is going to cost less than having to record an orchestra.
Also, do you need a place to practice your music or are you looking for a recording studio? Studios in which you can practice your music are usually charging by the hour. If you have a house, you can even practice in your home. This is one of the reasons why having a house is better than having an apartment.
Recording studios can have different methods of charging money. Some recording studios charge by the track. So, decide what kind of studio do you want and need, and what studio can you afford. It would be non-sensical to pay for a high-end studio if you are not going to get your money back. But you never know that.
You still have to do some research on your own before renting a music studio
Don’t be misled by a lengthy list of studio equipment. You have to do some research on your own, and we know, many musicians don’t like to bother with equipment. Why would you need to know which series of microphones are better? Well, if you want to have the best cost-benefit result, you have to do some research on your own. Compare studios online, and search on the internet the equipment the studio owns. This is like searching the internet for movers, but more complicated. Of course, if you cannot be bothered to learn about every single detail when it comes to equipment, ask someone who knows that stuff. You probably have some friends who are good at that technical aspect of music.
Look at the past clients of the studio
As mentioned earlier, you have to know what kind of sound you are trying to get out of your music. Not all studios are the same. Look at the past clients of the studio, and that can paint quite a good picture of what to expect from that studio. That is true both for studios in which you can practice and for recording studios.
Be aware of acoustics when renting a music studio
This is one of the most overlooked parts when musicians search for a studio. It is a good thing to change a studio for practice once in a while. Why is that, you may ask? Well, not all rooms sound the same. It is not the same deal if you are playing in the open, or if you are playing in a small studio room.
Yes, acoustics is one more technical aspect that you’ll have to pay your attention to. But if you listen carefully, you can hear the subtle differences between different spaces. For example, if you are playing in a theater, you are going to experience a lot of natural reverb, which can drastically change the sound you are trying to get out of your playing, more often than not for the better. This is why people sound good when they sing in the bathroom. Bathroom tiles repel the sound ways, and that makes that pleasant reverb effect. If your bathroom doesn’t it is time to remodel it! This is why musicians usually choose to play in sound-proofed spaces, so they can have control of what they are adding to their sound. And this is why it is so important to choose a studio that has good sound-proofing unless you want to have a natural effect.
Bring your gear
It should be natural for every musician to bring his/her gear to the studio. That doesn’t mean that you should bring amps and similar stuff. That will be taken care of by the studio. However, some musicians are not that lucky to do so. Vocalists have it easy. All they have to do is to show up. However, if you are playing drums or a piano, you may struggle to bring your equipment to the studio. This is why you should always move your piano with professional help. Pianos are delicate objects, and it would be silly to handle them on your own. Drums are a little bit easier. You can disassemble a drum kit easily, but that is not the case with a piano. So, try to find professional help before renting a music studio and starting your recording session in it.
Have a good day!