Looking for A Recording Studio That Suits Your Needs in Los Angeles

When it comes to recording in a professional studio, you will want to find the right space for your needs. Los Angeles in particular oozes music from its pores, with many aspiring musicians from across the country and world heading to the City of Angels to write, record, and produce music.

LA is home to over three million musicians, which naturally means there is an abundance of recording studios to pick from. Should you choose the wrong studio, you could end up spending a fortune in booking fees, so here are some tips on how to choose the right LA recording studio that's right for your needs.

The People

When selecting a LA recording studio, building a relationship with the owner and staff is key for getting the most out of the experience. If you're working with the studio's audio engineer, you need to get to know them to decide whether they're right for your needs.

Make sure you speak about your experiences and musical direction to check whether you're compatible. If you don't feel comfortable with the team, you may not feel satisfied with the final outcome. Remember, you can be in the studio for many hours at a time, so unless you have the right people behind you, a whole load of money could be wasted.

Equipment

Understandably, you need to assess the recording studio's equipment to determine whether they fit your needs. If you're after high-quality recording equipment, expect to pay more in fees. There are several questions you must ask yourself first, such as whether the studio has a good mic collection if there are multiple monitoring systems, as well as vintage gear availability.

Most recording studios in the city provide a list of their equipment on their website, which can narrow down your search and ensure you have everything you need once you arrive.

Reputation

There are well-renowned recording studios across the world such as Abbey Road that are instrumental in delivering some of the most recognizable songs of today. When deciding on a Los Angeles recording studio, its reputation, and history matter a great deal. For independent artists, Pirate.com has a Los Angeles recording studio that you can hire out for music production, vocal capture, and mixing. Pirate.com is the biggest creative studio network in the world, meaning you're in safe hands when it comes to recording.

All reputable recording studios will house reviews and testimonials on their website, which can give you an idea of what to expect before heading in to record. If you're not sure which recording studio to pick, it's worth speaking to other artists in the LA area who have used the studio's services before. That way, you can be confident you're getting good value for money and know you'll get the right outcome.

Rates

Whether you're an aspiring or professional singer, hiring out a recording studio comes at a cost. When you factor in that you're in Los Angeles too, you can expect the prices to be considerably higher when compared to other cities in the US. The reason for this is some of the world's greatest producers reside in LA, so if you want to get the best of the best, this will come at a price.

If you're on a tight budget, you shouldn't assume that the cheapest rates result in the worst quality. There are dozens of recording studios in LA that are in competition with one another, so you may find that one studio offers excellent rates to draw people in. Make sure that you plan for contingencies during the recording process, such as needing extra time, more equipment, or if something breaks down.

Location

Independent recording studios are cropping up everywhere across Los Angeles, so while you shouldn't have difficulty finding a studio close to where you live, the facility may not be right for your needs. To yield the best results, you may need to travel further. Remember, Los Angeles is vast in size, so you need to research recording studios that are easily accessible.

The last thing you want is to be stuck in rush hour traffic when commuting from A to B, so you must define how far you are willing to travel before choosing a recording studio. To fully engage in the recording process, it's wise to pick a studio that is far away from any distractions, which will allow you to focus on what is important - the music.

Time

As you would expect, the more time you spend in the recording studio, the more you will have to pay. If you've never been inside a recording studio before, you need to understand that the process isn't as quick and straightforward as you would hope. Too many musicians walk into a studio believing they will walk out on the same day with a highly polished, mixed, and mastered recording. However, this is incredibly unrealistic.

To get the results you envisage, you need to put time, effort, and concentration into your recordings. Whatever you do, you mustn't rush the recording process. You don't want to spend a lot of money on a final product that sounds unpolished.

Genre of Music

When selecting a recording studio in LA, there will be some that naturally fit better to your music than others. For example, if you're a Country artist, it may not be the wisest idea to work with a Hip Hop producer. All recording studios come in various shapes and sizes, so if you're not sure who to go for, it's best to pick a facility that has worked with similar artists like yourself.

No matter where you are in Los Angeles, you can be certain you're never too far away from a recording studio. Once you've written your songs and are ready to record, the tips above can help you choose wisely to ensure you find a recording studio that matches your style of music, vision, and creative direction.

When choosing a recording studio, there are emotional and practical sides you must put into the equation, so regardless of budget, music genre, or budget, you are sure to find a studio that brings your music to life.