10 Benefits of using a Professional Recording Studio.

Many of us associate a professional recording studio with professional musicians, perfecting their latest platinum-selling album. However, booking studio time makes perfect sense for artists of any level.

Here are 10 benefits of using a professional recording studio vs home recording.

1. A professional producer

I’ve been producing music for over 30 years, so although I have a certain level of competence and experience, I’ve mostly muddled through for fun. It’s not my day job. I’m not a professional producer. A huge benefit of booking studio time is that you’re hiring a professional to drive and to some extent manage the project. They know the pitfalls, they’ve seen it and done it all in a variety of styles, and they have a proven system.

With home recording, I’m wearing the hats of artist AND producer, so if nothing else, it’s nice to offload the technical responsibility to focus on the artistic side.

2. Another opinion

But it’s not all about the technical side of the recording. A professional producer also offers another set of ears and a wealth of experience/exposure to other artists, which could provide that magic, the missing ingredient that makes a good song great, that was obvious to the whole world except the songwriter or even the band.

One of the biggest disadvantages of the DIY approach is the lack of a filter and quality control. Sure, you do this for your own pleasure, to express yourself, to put together music you love, but it means so much more if others engage with it too. Without that filter, that other set of ears? That’s much more difficult to achieve.

3. Professional Recording Studio Gear

Let’s be honest, recording on an iPad with Garageband is never going to set the world on fire for production quality. And even if I invested heavily in a high-spec PC or Mac, exotic mics, and outboard equipment, I’ll never get close to what the average professional recording studio is rocking.

Of course, we all want to use the best equipment, but I’m now going to blow your mind. Check out this list of studio equipment provided by Select Recording Studios. One of London’s premier recording studios.

Bar winning the lottery, If you want the best-of-the-best hardware and software, from source to mastering, a professional recording studio is the only answer.

4. Drums?

Simple one. If you want to record an acoustic drum kit properly, then the only cost-effective option is a professional recording studio.

5. Layout, acoustics, and setup

Many people, including myself, have to make do. I grab some available space when I can in the dining room maybe. It’s never great. Others have the luxury of their own dedicated space, with everything set up, maybe even some makeshift soundproofing, which is fantastic.

But a professional recording studio is designed and built for a single, specific purpose and features attention to acoustics, soundproofing, and separate rooms for vocals (perhaps guitars too), drums, and mixing, creating the perfect environment to go about your music-making business without any hindrance or distraction.

6. Professional Recording Studio – Mindset

When you book studio time, the date is set, and you’ve made a time and money commitment. You’ll obviously want to get the most out of it, and your money’s worth, so to do that, you’re going to want to be prepared.

If you’re a singer/songwriter, for example, those rough demos will come in handy as a reference point for both you and the producer, but also make sure you have the performance (and the words) nailed for the day (or days) production. Do that, and you’ll be in a focussed frame of mind when the time comes to lay down the tracks for real.

Contrast that with the piecemeal style of home recording. Here there is no deadline, no pressure, and no cost. But, as proven by my lower-than-average output of late, that’s not always a good thing.

7. End Product

So what happens when you combine all the above benefits of a professional studio?

A professional producer (who keeps you on track and gives great advice and insight), top-of-the-range gear (with the ability to mic up the drum kit properly), in the perfect environment with everything set up for you, and being fully prepped with the right attitude to get the job done right.

Yep. You’ve guessed it. You always achieve a better end product. which is really all that counts. That final master is the only asset you’ll use for the video, to upload to the world.

In summary, if you want to record music, booking studio time is the no-compromise solution.

8. Time

A by-product of all this high-quality, focussed, efficient work is you’ll simply get more done in less time. It feels like the best bits of working on a real project as opposed to messing about at home, where stuff tends to drag out, and you’ll get distracted with other jobs around the house and life in general. And when that happens? You’ll lose patience, motivation, and most importantly, time.

It’s best to get in, get the job done, and get out again. Then move on to the next song.

9. Professional Recording Studio Costs

There are a couple of things here. Firstly, following on from the above point. Time is money. How much value do you place on your own time?

Is spending £300 and being away for your family for one day to perfect one song more expensive than spending nothing over the course of two months to produce something of lesser quality? Will your family have your full attention throughout that time?

If the answer isn’t obvious, the fact is booking studio time is a bargain considering what you get and how much time you’ll save.

Now let’s look at the costs another way. It was quite sobering (and therapeutic) to put together articles on the gear I’ve owned over the years, especially guitars. I think the reason I haven’t done this for recording equipment yet is that it would be too upsetting to see the money I’ve spent, when I could have done things much faster, better, and cheaper by booking studio time from day one.

In a nutshell, I’ve spent a fortune, and for what? Certainly not quality, or better productivity.

Yes, studio time is an investment. I could own a decent quality USB interface for under £100, forever. But is that ultimately going to stop me from buying more equipment? No. I’ll always be aspiring toward the goal of studio-grade equipment I’ll never be able to afford, have the space for, or have the time to learn.

10. They make a fantastic gift

I’ve got a couple of decent song ideas worked out at the moment, but with the Christmas rush looming and after everything I’ve said in this article, I know they won’t be worked on until well into the new year now, probably more toward my birthday next year. So, what would be the perfect Christmas/Birthday gift? Professional recording studio gift vouchers!

There are many options for Solo-singers, Bands/Groups, Songwriters (perfect for myself), Hip-hop artists, and even a music production course and video production packages.

Prices vary according to hours in the studio, so there’s something for all requirements and wallets.

Check them out today!