how do i get that major label sound?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jugalo180
  • Start date Start date
jugalo180

jugalo180

www.moneyistherecipe.com
I’ve done some research and I’ve read from a lot of sources that today’s sound is compressed to hell, but that would be much better than my current cd, that I myself engineered at home. I have just recently moved to Baltimore Maryland and I am looking for a studio that can provide that major label industry standard of today’s music. I’ve been doing some searches for studios here and pretty much all of the studios are recording to computer. I’ve heard the saying that "it's the magician and not the wand" but in the recording industry the wand seems to be just as important. my questions are as follows:

1. are most of the engineers that are working in million dollar studios, recording these hit records that are being played all over the radio to computer?

2. most of these studios here in Maryland are advertised as professional studios. how do I distinguish the big dogs from the little dogs?

3. $25.00 an hour is the low end and $65.00 an hour is the average high end. my better judgment tells me that the higher the price the better the studio, but does this often reflect the product also?

4. and are these every day studios the type of studios that the Celebes record in, or are the Celebes recording in studios that I can't afford to sit in without a million dollar record deal?

5. if possible can you tell me which of these studios just off of appearance, gear, and credentials would seem like the better studio and why?

A. http://www.cloud9studios.com/9.htm

B. http://www.orionsound.com/recording_studio.htm

C. http://kmh-recording.com/

D. http://www.sheffieldav.com/AUDIO.HTM
 
Last edited:
Actually not always the studios that charge the most are the best....I just recently went to a studio where it was only 25.00 an hour to record at a studio with over 500,000 dollars of equipment and I got a great sound....just listen to samples that they have done in that studio and pick what sounds the best.....because some studios u might go to...the guy migh tknow how to mix that rock music good but he might not have done much work with hiphop so he might not be the right place....just do good reserach
 
Main thing is to listen to several samples of recordings/mixes done at each studio you're interested in.

More important than the studio looking like a world class facility is the guy who's doing the work. A great engineer will do a better job with mediocre or out of date equipment, than a lousy or inexperienced engineer in a great room.
 
I'd go with "D" just because they have the best monitoring by far. The console doesn't hurt either...

Otherwise, Orion has a helluva live room and some nice outboard...

The "computer" thing is a long story - Basically, digital is digital. It's a bunch of 1's and 0's whether it's to digital tape, CD, hard drive, etc. Your computer's digits are basically the same as theirs.

It's what happens BEFORE it's turned into all those 1's and 0's that counts - Micrphones, preamps, outboard, converters, etc.

And depending on what you're looking for, there's probably a point of dimishing returns... A $100/hour studio might not give you "twice the quality" of a $50 studio.

And of course, no studio will make up for a poor source (see my sig).
 
thanks

thanks for all of the advice. i took into consideration that i don't know how experienced these guys are with mixing hip hop or just mixing period. let's say the same person worked in each studio, which one would be the best equiped? btw, excuse all of my typo's in the previous post. I should have proof read it before posting. studio D is a recording school, so i'm a little skeptical about having unexperienced students handle my project, assuming that's how they operate.
 
Sheffield is a studio that happens to give recording lessons also.
 
All of these studios have the equipment to get it, It comes down to which one as the most experience in area of music. Get some samples, then just go from there.
 
If I was trying to decide on a good caterer, I would want to sample the food.

Having the best kitchens and utensils would be a bonus, but to me, it all comes down to the product.

Ultimately, you're not "buying the studio" or merely "renting time." You're paying for the quality of the finished product. So I'd listen to samples of their work, and make my decision based on that. Based simply on their web sites, I kinda' like the image of the Gold records on the wall at Sheffield, because that at least lends a hint to the quality of their work and their accomplishments.
 
My advice is to hire a producer. Unfortunately, with the rise of home recording, good producers are hard to find...as most have been "eliminated".

Even if you don't want them making creative decisions, hire them as an "executive" producer/consultant. They will be able to help make the decisions with you as far as engineer/studio/mastering/etc., and if they are REALLY good, they'll save as much money/studio time as you will end up paying them for their services. They'll work your total budget out with you, if you need additional singers/musicians, they'll help you find them, and TONS of other things. If you're serious about doing a whole CD not at home and have never done it before, finding a good producer will make all the other decisions easy.
 
cool

thanks for all of the feedback that i have been getting. i'm going to try and visit one studio a day or every other day and try and get a take home demo of their work. i'm going to call these guys first and see if i can schedule something.
 
what if i track and pay someone else to mix

i turned my new question into a thread
 
Last edited:
Sheffield looks like the best from the website.

Orion has nice rugs. :)


tim
 
Do not look for a studio, look for an engineer. It is a far more important part of the equation. Also if you go the route of booking a studio, make sure that any demos you hear are are those recorded by the guy (or girl) that will be working on your project. The right person behind the board is FAR more important than the right board.
 
Ronan said:
Do not look for a studio, look for an engineer. It is a far more important part of the equation. Also if you go the route of booking a studio, make sure that any demos you hear are are those recorded by the guy (or girl) that will be working on your project. The right person behind the board is FAR more important than the right board.
Click to expand...

Ditto Ronan.

Great sound comes from experience and a "reasonable" set of gear. I've heard absolute crap come from some well-equipped SSL rooms and great stuff from some less than optimal rooms.

Get a list of the engineers that you will be working with at each studio and check out what they've done.
 
chessrock said:
If I was trying to decide on a good caterer, I would want to sample the food.

Having the best kitchens and utensils would be a bonus, but to me, it all comes down to the product.

Ultimately, you're not "buying the studio" or merely "renting time." You're paying for the quality of the finished product. So I'd listen to samples of their work, and make my decision based on that.
Click to expand...

This advice is right on, in my opinion.

You are correct to visit each studio and check them out in person, get to know the staff a little bit. That will tell you *a lot* about who you will want to work with.

There's also no rule that says you have to do it all at one place. You might want to start with one studio and see how it goes. If that doesn't work for you, then do your next song at the next place you want to try out. So don't commit to doing a whole album at one studio, take it song by song until you feel confident of your choice.

It really is a combination of the engineer, the studio space, the gear, and of course the music and performance of the music. So if you can find the studio that has the engineer that you like, along with a good recording space and the necessary high quality tools, you'll be in a great situation to make some good music.

Of the four you listed, the Sheffield Institute looked the best. They don't really have a gear list posted anywhere on their site that I could find (at least a link that worked). But based on the photos they seem to have the nicest space and the most professional layout. I wouldn't worry too much about them being a teaching institute. If you feel you need to, just make sure they understand you don't want your stuff engineered by a student. I think that you may in fact get great service there because you'll probably have interns coming out your ears.

I'd put Orion second on my list. They at least have a decent gear list and a built out room that looks workable.

The other studios frankly look more or less project studio-ish to me, even though they are built out studios. I have a gear list that's comparable or better, at least as far as outboard.
 
Last edited:
thanks

wow thanks again for the feed. SonicAlbert, just click on the studio A or B link for shefield scroll to the bottom left and then click on equipmet. I think i may take your advice along with the rest of the advice that i have been receiving and try to record at all of them.
 
I agree with ronan and mix&master.... hire a person to help you make a sound. I have had alot of luck recently hiring ears and talent. I opened up my favorite indie and major label CD's and tracked down producers/mixing engineers that I like, fly or drive them in and rent great studios on cheap real estate. The producer is excited and happy to be working in a fresh environment, the studio owner is sleeping while his studio is being rented - it's a huge win win!

I have also used hire guns to mix stuff in my home studio, i get a great results and they usually leave me with tons of advice and tweak my gear.

Nowadays people are playing refrences of stuff they "have done" and it's not truly thier product, but rather a mixture of studios and other talents, it can be very deceiving...

good luck!
 
Last edited:
jugalo180 said:
...I am looking for a studio that can provide that major label industry standard of today’s music.
Click to expand...

Don't downgrade yourself so much. :p

I'd go with studio D also. :)
 
wow

thanks for some more great advice guys. i'm happy that there is a place like this for unexperienced people like myself. every single person has given me some terrific feedback. I really appreciate everyone taking time out of their schedule to pitch in with some good advice.

I agree with ronan and mix&master.... hire a person to help you make a sound. I have had alot of luck recently hiring ears and talent. I opened up my favorite indie and major label CD's and tracked down producers/mixing engineers that I like, fly or drive them in and rent great studios on cheap real estate. The producer is excited and happy to be working in a fresh environment, the studio owner is sleeping while his studio is being rented - it's a huge win win!
Click to expand...

i wish i could afford to hire an engineer from my favorite cd to come down and record my project. off the top of my head i think i would start with the guy who mixes a lot of eminem's stuff.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top