This is sort of a general question, in that as much information as possible is appreciated. Now I've come to learn how much different home recording is from professional recording. I'm quite sure it's much more than some simple usb interface into a laptop that most home studios use these days. So more out of curiosity than of a problem in need of solving, I've been wondering how the actual audio signals in high-end studios that record bands with major labels are actually recorded. Is it just a huge multitrack recorder? If so how is it mixed if mixing is done with a DAW such as pro tools in a computer? Or is it digital at all? In other words, in a standard professional recording studio, through what piece(s) of equipment does the audio signal travel to be actually recorded? Then, where and how is this recorded audio then transferred to be mixed? Also, how is this final mix sent to tape if this is usually the end result? I appreciate any "input" you have, pun intended.
My personal opinion to this: it just depends. There's really more to a world class studio than just a bunch of gear and some really good engineers.
You have to understand, these days a "high-end studio" can mean many things. Professionally speaking, the term "high-end studio or world class studio" implies a facility that can cater to the largest clientele base possible. In theory, any world class client should be able to step into one of these facilities and have full access to all possible creative outlets to make a great recording.
So think about it, it's not only the studio's in-house setup that you're seeking, but their reputation and connections with outside business that could be beneficial to that creative process. (A/V shops, connected in the local and global industry in a way that gives you the recording you need to compete). Of course, since things are so high tech these days, you're finding very elaborate and sophisticated setups to essentially accomplish a simple task.
In other words, they are doing exactly what you are doing, just on a much larger scale. Even at a small level, you're creating a catalog of music. A tangible recording. That's the philosophy.
To answer your question more directly, the signal chain is essentially the same. Analog recordings on 2 inch tape still float around, but have become more of a request than a viable medium to record (too many artists' that suck too bad to spend the cash on all that tape). So you're going to see digital interfaces and digital gear most of the time. Studios that can afford the expense of holding vintage gear and 100k analog tape machines will do so to attract clients, producers and engineers. So things like analog tape are almost a niche industry now.
I mean, if you're trying to understand that signal chain to apply it in a home studio, then signal flow, which is an entire study in itself, is important.
Genereally speaking, you'll have something like a mic -> mic panel -> patchbay -> which then splits off to the console and other pieces of gear in the studio.
At the console strip, it's really just a glorified Mbox or something like that. At a basic level, it does the same thing. It still has a preamp, phantom power, gain control, possibly some type of high pass filter and maybe a phase switch of some type.
A large format console, of course, has that and a whole lot more at higher quality. For example, you may start seeing hi-pass and lo-pass filters, elaborate EQing, routing and bussing options, pads, etc.
You have to realize, these things are powered by huge power supplies, which plays such a huge role in how smooth and accurate that signal runs through the board.
I mean the list goes on....
