Face it. Audio recording is expensive. Anybody who has attempted to get into the recording field has realized this immediately. And most people probably stopped dead in their tracks, turned around, and ran as far in the opposite direction as they could. I probably should have, but I am stubborn. I have bands and we need recordings of our music. And I cannot stand the recording studios that are open for business in my area. So I decided to do all my recordings myself. Occasionally I regret this decision, but for the most part I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish in my audio recording studio.
I am not trying to knock rich people. However, the local recording engineer was born into wealth, so opening a top-notch recording facility was not a difficult task for him. He opened his studio with all the recording equipment he could ever need. This may make me sound a bit bitter. But that is definitely not the case. In fact, that could not be any further from the truth. I would not change a thing about the path I have taken to build my audio recording studio. I have learned so much about the basics of sound and the fundamentals of audio recording, and I take a great amount of pride it what I have been able to achieve as a result of all my research and study.
But there are many challenges that a poor person encounters when attempting the process of building a home recording studio. Let us take a look at these.
1. Size of The Room - I am poor, so I do not have a large spot for live tracking. I also do not have enough room for a dedicated control booth. So, I had to strategically create my space to be appropriate for tracking and mixing.
2. Acoustic Treatment - Professional products can be rather costly, so I had to build my own bass traps to clean up the rumble of low-end buildup in the corners. I also picked up couch cushions from the roadside to use as broadband absorbers for controlling reflections.
3. Equipment Quality - This is obvious. I cannot afford high-end gear, so I have had to do extensive research to get the right equipment for each task of the recording process. It is okay though. The thought of a $2000 microphone does not register well with me anyway.
4. Knowledge - This challenge is also a blessing. To get the most out of my studio setup and recording equipment, I have had to do excessive studying and experimenting. This may not have been necessitated had I been given the luxury of better equipment. But of course, there is nothing wrong with learning, and now I have some amazing techniques under my belt.
5. Appearance - Because my recording studio is mostly DIY, it does not have the conventional look of a recording studio. And to a certain extent I like this. I am not really a fan of the super professional looking studio anyway. But I also do not want the studio to look especially amateurish either. So there-in lies the challenge. It has taken a good bit of strategy to get my studio appearance to just the right balance of professional and ghetto.
So there you have a few of the challenges I have encountered along my path to construct my little slice of heaven.
Ronnie Pistons is a punk musician of nearly twenty-five years. In this time he has participated in many recording sessions. With a DIY approach, he has learned to get great home recordings without breaking the bank. Now he wants to share his insight with anyone who is willing to listen.
For more on recording studio design, check out:
DIY Audio Recording Alternatives and Solutions
Home Recording Tips – The Basic Fundamentals
Mass Loaded Vinyl Home Depot Alternative - DIY Recording Studio
Moving Blankets - Acoustic Treatment in the Home Studio
