Recording Studios - The Expertise of Professional Recording Technicians

Recording Studios - The Expertise of Professional Recording Technicians
By Alan De Vendra 


A recording studio is a specialized environment in which sounds and voices are captured and recorded. Ideally, recording studios are purpose-built built and designed with acoustic values at the forefront, to ensure that recordings are not affected in any way by external noise.


A studio can be used for many different disciplines, from creating music tracks by an individual artist or band to the recording of voiceovers and sound design for TV ads and programs.


Studios are commonly made up of two separate rooms, usually adjoined. The Live room is where the artist, band or vocalist will perform their recording. The other room is called the control room, where the sound engineer operates all the technical recording equipment used for recording, mixing and maximizing the sounds. 

Larger purpose-built recording studios usually also have what is known as Isolation rooms. Usually smaller, this is where instruments that need to be played at a higher volume are recorded, so the sound does not leak into other microphones being used to simultaneously record other instruments or voices. The individual audio elements are then mixed together in the control room.


Studios these days are equipped with a multitude of different technologies that is used to bring together all the different parts of a performance. Along with the microphones and monitors in the live room, some studios even provide extra instruments for bands that would be impractical to hire in, or that are collectible - such as a grand piano or a Fender Rhodes. 


The main feature of the control room is the mixing desk, but it also has equipment like multi-track recorders, speakers or studio monitors, digital audio workstations, equalizers and other outboard equipment, and programming workstations.

Since the reign of analog and solid-state equipment in the late 80's, recording equipment has advanced to the digital age in which much recording is done using computers.
Digital recording produces a very crisp sound which some audiophiles call sterile, especially compared to vintage analogue equipment which produces a warmer sound.


But what if you're a band that is performing a live concert that you want recorded? You can't bring 50 to 60 thousand fans into a studio!


This is when a mobile recording unit is required. Mobile recording companies are professional recording technicians that specialize in 'OB' - outdoor broadcast or recording of music events. 


This is quite an involved and technical task requiring a lot of different elements that have to come together. 
When working with a live band and live audience, careful positioning of different types of equipment is essential. With any live event, there is only one chance to capture the performance. 


Multiple microphones need to be in place to capture not only the band, but the feel of the audience. 
Later, the live concert recording can be mixed down and balanced in the recording studios. During this process, unwanted noises can be edited or filtered out, overdubs and other enhancements can be added in post-production. 


The final mix should sound like natural balance between the performers, with the fans providing excitement and atmosphere.


The Rockinghorse residential recording studio complex offers an unparalleled degree of sophistication and comfort that includes not only a world class recording facility with the very latest cutting edge technology, but a stunningly elegant and secluded workspace that nurtures inspiration.


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