Find a studio
Introduction
The vibe of a studio and the attitude of the people running it can have a big effect on the music that gets created in it.
If you're renting a studio you need to feel that your money is being well spent and that the engineer and/or producer is really doing their best to turn your ideas into reality.
Read on for:
Finding studios
Visiting studios
The engineer
Hidden costs
Blagging it
"When you're locked in the place for a day or two it's important that you're comfortable. Make sure that it's a good, comfortable working environment."
Paul Burns
Studio 64
Middlesbrough
Finding Studios
There are enuff studios out there and plenty of ways to find them.
Check out free ad newspapers like Loot or ads in underground music mags like Rewind, music press like NME or the advert boards in record shops.
Also try checking the 'net, asking your fellow record buyers and last but not least ring up some independent record labels to see if they rent their studios out to the public.
The best way to find a studio is by a word of mouth recommendation from someone who's actually recorded there.
If you know someone who's spent money in a studio recently and they were pleased with the result then that's the ideal scenario.
Visiting Studios
Make sure that the sound engineer is experienced in making your style of music and that the studio has the tools you think you'll need.
Ask to hear some of their previous work if you're unsure and if you're not familiar with the equipment side of tings, take someone along who is.
Make sure that the price quoted includes an engineer - unless you've got your own that is.
Don't hand over any wong until you're sure you're actually going to record and when you do, read any small print there may be very carefully.
Chances are you're going to be walking with your demo for a while so if there isn't a decent studio in your area it's worth travelling until you find one that can, rather than just using one because it's close by.
The Engineer
The Engineer is a vital part of the recording process. You may only have a short time to check them out but don't be shy.
Try to get to know them a little bit to see if they're on your level.
Find out their taste in music and chat to them for as long as you can to see if you think they're going to be cool to work with.
"A good engineer will turn your ideas into real music, so the better the engineer the better the results."
Jaimeson
Producer
Hidden Costs
Make sure you find out if there's any extra charge for things like CDs, DATs, arrangement and audio backups.
Some studios charge by the day so ask how many hours that is.
Also find out what they charge for overtime as sessions often overrun - you have been warned.
"A lot of studios really whack on the charges when it comes to tapes. Sometimes the studio will charge you fifteen quid for a CD-R."
Guy Massey
Engineer
Abbey Road Studios
Blagging It
The best way to get free studio time is to know an engineer who likes your music and who needs some demos to advertise their skills.
You could also try to get access to a school, college or university that has some kind of studio set up or if you know your way around a studio then you could always offer your services to an established studio in return for some free time.
Studying a course in music technology will give you access to the facilities as well as giving you the skills to engineer and produce your own tracks.
Check out publications like the Music Education Directory, Sound on Sound and Future Music for details of these courses.
"If you know someone, somewhere - an engineer who can get you into a studio - then it's only right and proper that you should use them!"
Guy Massey
Engineer
Abbey Road Studios
More... from How to...
Get ready to go into the studio
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/recording/readyp01.shtml
Make the most of a session
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/recording/sessionp01.shtml
Make the most of the mix
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/recording/mixp01.shtml
Choose tracks for a demo
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/recording/whatrecordp01.shtml
Make a vocal demo
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/recording/vocalp01.shtml
(c) BBC 1Xtra 1XMusic 2006
