What Every Aspiring Artist Should Know : The Studio
Jon Laureles
Budget : Additional costs :
Getting some of your songs recorded at a professional studio can be expensive . One important thing to keep in mind : they charge by the hour . A lot of folks go into the studio thinking that they have enough money to record an entire album worth of material , then they quickly learn that recording time can be a bit tedious , time consuming , and ( as a result ) costly . It is a good idea to set your budget to at least 10 % over what you think you might need . Like any major investment , it is best to do a little research . Some studios can charge as much as $ 400 an hour or more , whereas a common rate can range from $ 50 - $ 100 an hour . Fixed rates are also available at some studios , but not often . The rates can also vary , depending on the amount of multi- tracking needed .
Different studios can offer different levels of sound quality and engineering . Certain studios can be more expensive because of the amount of time they put into mastering a song , and / or the cost of equipment that is used for recording . Look for studios that suit your needs . If you are an acoustic solo artist , you may be able to find a place that exclusively records solo acts . Because of the simplicity of the tracks , the time and equipment needed to record allows an affordable rate . If you have a full band , a studio may charge a higher overall rate . When calling a studio and asking for rates , be prepared to answer questions about the complexity of your songs , the amount of tracks / instruments wanting to be recorded , the number of songs you wish to record , and other related questions . It is important to keep the number of songs ( for your first recording session , at least ) to a minimum . That way you can have a better idea of how long it takes you to get a song laid down , and have a clearer idea of future costs .
Studio time is not the only expense that can become costly . An artist must keep in mind other things that can add up rather quickly . If a studio artist is wanted , to give your songs a bit of an edge , you must take their rate into account . Much like studio time , rates for a studio artist can vary . Flat rates are more common for a studio artist and can range from $ 50 a song to $ 100 a session ( a certain amount of songs done during one day at the studio ). Other studio artists are known to have a flat rate of about $ 150 a session , and then charge an additional $ 50 for every hour after the first . Of course , prices will vary depending on the location and availability of both the studio and artists . If they are in higher demand , like everything else , the prices will typically be higher .
Engineering can also be an additional unexpected cost . In most cases , it is included in the overall rate , but it is important to be sure before committing to studio time . Mastering is also a cost that can be included , but some opt out of paying for polishing up their songs , and save it for another day . One of the reasons for that is cost restraints , and another is necessity . Many acoustic solo artists do not feel the need to fully master a song , because they are satisfied with the quality of the raw recording . Also , a solo artist or band may just need a demo to hand out for potential gigs at various venues .
Producing an album not only takes money , but patience , practice , and perseverance . Stay tuned as we discuss other topics on what it takes to get your music to the masses . Our next Issue will cover more things that you should know before going to the studio , and break down what you need to be prepared for , in order for you to be successful .
24 | Acoustic Drive