Starting a studio

  • Thread starter Thread starter Marty Joe
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Marty Joe

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Calling all pros,
What would be the cost of setting up a studio in my bedroom that would be as good quality as pro recordings. I am interested in going the computer route such as pro tools or something similar. I will need to upgrade my microphones and drum machine. I already have all the instruments and basic effects that I need. I do not have any eq's, enhancers, or processors. Also, if I started a website in the future for this recording post production and also used the same computer for the recording process, would it be best to load up on a powerful computer?
 
Welcome Friend

To start with, I am by no means a pro.

The question you pose is far to vague to be able to answer.

However, if I take it at face value, the answer to your question would probably be a couple of hundred thousand dollars. This would probably include re-constructing your home since a bedroom is not going to be enough space. It would also include all the pro gear that the pros use including the final mastering. Then there is the education to learn how to use all that stuff.

Your asperations are very large. I can tell you that you can get some pretty good stuff from a home studio. Just don't expect to get pro quality without all the stuff needed to accomplish it.

spend some time here at this BBS and see what other people are using.

I know this is not what you realy wanted to hear, but hey, it is the real world.

Peace
Joe
 
I apologize for being vague. I will watch the threads. Thank you for your response.
 
Marty, not a problem man.

To get us all started, why don't you kind of give us an idea of what you want to accomplish, the types of music you want to make, and what you want to do with it when it's done.

At least we can then start trying to offer suggestions to at least get you started.

And by the way, hangin' out here is a blast.

Peace
Joe
 
JC & anyone who cares,

My goal is to make a CD. I have books and etc on "How to pursue songwriting, recording, and etc." by Breheny and others. I have acquired a lot of information regarding the music business and so forth. The genre for the music I am looking at for this particular project is a hard/metal type approach with some satire.

In the past, I have recorded 30 cassettes of 4-track productions, a little studio time, home videos, home live recordings for home use including almost all styles. I have performed live with various groups for 20 years, running sound for some. I have written hundreds of songs and then I retired at the end of 2000 at 35, an unknown.

Then in January of 2001, I have an investor who is interested in investing into a CD recording with me as the creator. Maybe 1,000 and pitch the CD to bigger companies. I have a particular project in mind that we feel would be new and refreshing to the music world. (Doesn't everybody?)

At this time, I am using his old recording equipment--cheap, old Tascam 4-track and a cheap, old drum machine. My equipment: 1977 Gibson Rd, Fender Sq. Strat, Fender Sq. Bass. I have a variety of early 90's effects such as 2 echo/reverb units. I also own an old AKG microphone. (I apologize because I am not at home at the moment to list the model numbers.)

Currently, I am recording a demo with this equipment for future use to review when I will hopefully get some new equipment after I research the latest in technology.

We have both agreed to pursue a computer approach for recording. Hence, the post. We are looking into buying home studio equipment for my extra room because I will be the only one using it. I don't have a computer at home yet. I have heard different versions of what it will take to get to professional sound. 3,000 or 8,000 or 20,000 or 100,000. I am speaking of the purity of my abilities to work hard enough to get the sounds that I need. Of course, this doesn't include the CD itself or the production, final mastering and etc. That's where the business comes in. So the computer recording world is new for me. I thought it would be a good idea to hear some opinions first before the barrage of recommendations from salespeople which I have already received as well.

For those who have made it this far in this thread. thanks.

So what is a realistic outlook? Sound studio equipment on computer under 3000 will not compete with pro studios? Let's assume that I would be a hard worker and get the best sound that I could get. Or do I need to be realistic and put myself in the hands of a decent studio? I figure that the cost of studio time and etc., I could probably purchase some equipment for the price.

I probably made this more vague, but my project and business outlook is all in development right now.
 
Hey Mary, nice post.

Based on that information, I think that you can probably go the 3 to 8k route if you intend on sending it out to be mastered and all the other stuff that goes along with putting out a cd.

I think that you could probably get a computer, some software, soundcard with interface, some form of decent pre amp (mixer or dedicated), a couple of decent mics, and you would be all set.

At this point I am going to bow out because I am not at that point yet (want to be though). I am sure that others here will read your post and be able to take this to the next level.

Nice chatting with you and I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted as things progress.

Peace
Joe
 
Buy all the gear you want. Buy the best. Buy a lot of it.

Won't matter one iota. If you don't have any experience it is going to take you a LOT of time to develope skills that compete with recordings you here like on the radio. There are no magic settings or shortcuts to it. Experience is crucial.

You may, before diving into a around $30K equipment purchase (this is the minimum you would need to spend realistically to get big time results, and trust me, that is on the low end of things still!) you may want to spend a couple of straight weeks producing songs at a studio that is similar to what you want to put together and pay a lot of attention to what the engineer is doing. You may decide after your efforts just in performing and making productions decisions with an engineer with a lot of experience that trying to be everything is a very hard route indeed.

Realistically, look at around 2 to 3 years of doing a lot of recording before you start really putting out a product that sounds great. This is assuming that you really put your nose to the grindstone and learn! Ask yourself too if you feel prepared for the steep learning curve and hours of frustration that you will surely go through in this process.

Another thing you may need to consider is the burnout factor. That is a lot of learning, and you will be wanting to keep your music fresh at the same time.

Also, think about how realistic it would be for that investment to actually pay off. I can assure you that any new gear you buy is automatically worth 50% less a month after you buy it. Used gear, if you are a schrewd buyer will retain a lot of it's value, but you will need to do a shit load of research and searching around for gear that will service your needs well and is in good condition.

You may want to consider just purchasing a system to work up your songs at home then recording them at a professional "for hire" studio that already has the great gear and engineers who know how to achieve the sound you want. This is a route that has been successfully pursued by many. Since you are going to be sequencing a bunch of stuff, you can work up your sequences on your home system, and maybe even accumulate tone modules that will give the sounds you seek. Trust me, the stuff you hear on big time CD's is usually not done with the gear that is advertised in recording magazines. Usually, a lot of Vintage hard to find gear is used.

I would say though that trying to make realistic sounding recordings with sequences is in fact very hard to do. I am not sure that it is best for your kind of music.

It is one thing if you need a system to work up your demo's. It is a whole other thing if you need a system that competes with the big boys. For the big boy stuff, you will be paying big boy dollars, and there is still the "learning" factor. You may in fact never be a good engineer. I beleive engineering takes a certain kind of talent that not too many performers possess.

Good luck.

Ed
 
Thanks--
Sonusman, JC, and Gidge.

I will approach my situation with caution and try to be more realistic.
 
Learning the hard way...

They should put something like Ed's post on the box of portastudios and soundcards. Buying gear will not allow someone to produce professional recordings in and of itself.

The more gear I get, the more I realize that I have a lot of study to do before I get the best out of it. Over the last two years, I have been putting as much effort into learning how to make a good recording as making a good sound on my guitar (something I've been working on for over 20 years).

Boards like this are great, as is reading, but so much of this learning process has to be done through mistakes made in the home or profesional studio. Of course many of these mistakes can be avoided through the guidance of a pro engineer, but this is not a cheap way to get there.

I've found its a great hobby, but there's no way someone can produce commercioally viable results without exposure to the professional process, and equipment.
 
thanks

As I here more responses, I am seeing the hobby side emerge in my future. Thanks for the opinion, Schwa. This newbie is getting shaped up to real world.
 
Yeah, I now have a 24bit/96k soundcard which means....I can CLEARLY hear how much I suck....
 
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