a SOUND investment - designing a home recording studio

Black Enterprise, Dec, 1999 by Dawn M. Norfleet, Monique R. Brown

HERE'S A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO BUILDING YOUR OWN HOME STUDIO AND TIPS ON TURNING A PROFIT

MICHAEL BORNEO, 42, ALWAYS LOVED MUSIC AND DABBLED IN IT WHENEVER HE COULD FIND the time. "I played in a band and wrote songs," he recalls. "But I didn't see much of a future in music, so I pursued a career in telecommunications." After all, 20 years ago the only people Borneo saw with in-house recording studios were the affluent, and it didn't seem that his dream of having his own setup was remotely within his reach.

That was until Borneo rediscovered his muse a few years ago. While working as a communications consultant for his own firm, Telecommunication Services Corp., he got a project requiring him to install a local area network and telephone system in a music studio. "I wrote some songs for the owner and he was impressed," says Borneo. That was all the encouragement the corporate professional needed to approach a commercial studio and begin the production of a demo tape. Unfortunately, the high cost of renting studio time, engineers and music equipment quickly soured him on going the professional route, so Borneo purchased a keyboard and some other odds and ends in hopes of banging out tunes himself. Before he knew it, his dream was reborn. "I kept purchasing more and more equipment to get better quality until I found myself with a studio," he says.

Although Borneo's experience was a little more complicated than it sounds, the development of small-scale or "project" studios has become a lot more common in recent years. New trends in the music industry are responsible for the surge. According to Anthony Collins, instructor at the Institute of Audio Research in Manhattan, "Ten to 20 years ago, record companies sent their artists to commercial recording studios for their demos and recordings. Now some record companies give artists advance money to purchase their own project studios." With the fees of larger commercial studios ranging from $75 to $300 per hour, "record companies realize that by investing in `project' [home or small-scale] studios, they can save money while giving the artists more creative flexibility," Collins adds. Now, professional musicians and even wannabees like Borneo can master record producing from their homes without breaking the bank.

If you're ready to build your own in-house recording studio, here are some tips on how you can determine the type of tools you'll need and where you can purchase the equipment within the confines of your budget.

TAKE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF GEARING UP

Before you hit the music stores, determine your equipment needs. The type of music you plan to write largely impacts the kind of equipment you need or whether you should consider building a project studio at all. Today's popular music--rhythm and blues, hip-hop, gospel and jazz--are perfect candidates for project studio technology. Alternatively, music that requires orchestras often needs more complex acoustical setups for quality recording.

Think about the tools you'll need with the product in mind. If you're only interested in recording some musical ideas for yourself or a band, then perhaps a 4-track analog recorder, such as the Tascam Porta 02 Multitrack Recorder, priced at around $160, will suffice. However, if you plan to make a profit from your venture by starting a music production business or creating professional-quality demos, then you should acquire equipment that is as close to CD quality as possible, say Peter McIan and Larry Wichman, the authors of The Musician's Guide to Home Recording (Music Sales Corp., $24.95). Remember, the more technologically advanced your home studio is, the easier it will be to match the technology of the commercial studio where you choose to do your final mixing. On the other hand, Borneo warns against purchasing products before you have a clear understanding of their performance. "Ensure you have the right equipment and know how to use it effectively for your desired results," he cautions. "That may not require spending more money."

Of course the best way to ensure you get the right equipment is to seek professional advice. Borneo started with the Internet, where he came across Auralex Acoustics Inc. (www.auralex.com), a firm targeted to hobbyists that specializes in sound reinforcement, broadcast and recording equipment. The site allows consumers to purchase products, access the firm's consulting engineers and download online instructions, including "Acoustics 101"--a guide that Borneo says was most helpful.

Patrice Rushen, a three-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist, also turned to the pros when she did a complete upgrade of the eight-year-old project studio she has housed in her garage. For the most part, you can design a quality recording studio to suit any living space--without altering the structure of that area--since home recording gear is small and portable. "However, if you are looking for a top-quality recording environment, you need to seek out a studio design consultant to discuss structural changes," advises Dave Carlock, professional audio sales consultant at Los Angeles-based Westlake Audio Inc. (see Professional Audio Consultation Services). Rushen got advice on every aspect of her Southern California workspace, from acoustical design to the purchase of equipment: "The final musical sound and quality produced at my studio must be competitive with commercial studios," she insists. As a result, she purchased ProTools, a software-based program for high-end and topnotch professional recordings.