WHAT EQUIPMENT MUST A RECORDING STUDIO HAVE?
This is an interesting question. Truthfully, the answer is that a recording studio doesn’t need that much equipment. Here are the essentials:
- These days, most recording studios are based around a computer. A powerful machine that can handle the workload that is required of it is top of the list.
- A DAW is next. Ultimately, studios can record using whatever DAW they wish. Whether it’s Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Reaper, Cubase, Studio One, or any of the other options out there, they all essentially do the same thing.
- The studio needs a way of getting the sound into the computer. This could be an all-in-one audio interface that takes care of the analogue-to-digital conversion as well as the amplification of the sound. Or it could be separate preamps that then feed an A/D converter that sends the sound to the computer.
- Of course, a studio must have microphones. What sorts, and how many, are dependent on the size of the studio and the sort of work they do. Included with this, we can bundle in microphone stands and cables too.
- A studio must have headphones and a way of allowing the performers to monitor themselves as they record.
- Monitors are essential to be able to listen to and mix the recorded material.
Ultimately, this is it. That’s all you need to record. Of course, within just those six points, there is an enormous range available. Does the studio work on a Mac Pro from 2012, or does it work on a modern Mac Studio? Does it have a range of boutique preamps and high-end A/D converters, or does it have a cheaper, all-in-one audio interface solution? Does it have high-end monitors, or something more budget? There are so many things that differentiate one studio from another, even when considering just these six fundamental requirements.
There are other things that many would consider to be essential, although they come below the six items outlined above:
- A backup system – It’s important to have a backup system in place to prevent data loss in case of a computer crash or hard drive failure. This could be an external hard drive or a cloud-based storage solution.
- A reliable internet connection – In today’s world, many musicians collaborate remotely. A reliable internet connection is crucial for sending and receiving large files, communicating with clients, and collaborating with other musicians.
- A reference microphone – A reference microphone can be used to measure and calibrate the room’s acoustics to ensure that the recordings are as accurate as possible.
- Cables and adapters – It’s important to have a variety of cables and adapters on hand to connect all the equipment in the studio.
- Pop filters and windshields – These can be used to reduce unwanted noise and improve the quality of vocal recordings.
- Comfortable seating – A recording session can often last for hours, so comfortable seating for musicians and producers is important to prevent discomfort and fatigue.
Of course, when you look beyond the essentials, there are many things that make a studio individual. I’ll list some important ones for you to consider:
- Acoustic treatment – absorption, diffusion, bass traps, reflection filters
- Monitor stands and/or isolation pads
- External hardware – equalizers, compressors, consoles, etc.
- Power conditioning
- Direct boxes
- Master clock
- House instruments – drum kit, cymbals, guitars, amplifiers, piano/keyboards
GLOSSARY
Digital Audio Workstation, software used for recording and editing music and audio.
Equipment used to get sound into the computer, including analog-to-digital converters and amplifiers.
An external hard drive or cloud-based storage solution used to prevent data loss in case of a computer crash or hard drive failure.
Used to measure and calibrate a room’s acoustics for accurate recordings.
Absorption, diffusion, bass traps, and reflection filters used to optimize a room’s acoustics.
Used to protect equipment from power surges and noise.
Used to connect instruments with unbalanced outputs to a mixing console or audio interface.
Used to synchronize digital audio equipment for accurate recordings.
