Home Studio Recording - Can You Record an Album For Under $5000?

Any composer's dream is to have their own, extensivenecessary to record vocals? Given that most
back catalogue of albums they've recorded over arecordings only use one microphone to record vocals,
lifetime. Something that when they're 60 years of age,why pay all that extra money to have all that gear
they will be able to look back on and ponder thesitting around doing nothing? The same rule applies to
recording days of their youth with grandchildren. I knowbass guitar, acoustic guitar, cello... you name it! Besides
this is something I hope to be able to do when the timerecording drums, an orchestra or choir, who really
comes! Always though, something gets in the way;needs copious amount of gear at all times in the
whether it's time, songs, ideas, but most of all, money!studio? I think you get it now: you don't have to pay big
Really though, is money such an issue these daysbucks to make a great sounding record!
given the expansive and ever growing recordingYou may not need to enter an expensive studio at all.
industry? Much to the detestation of studio owners,If recording real drums is proving to be too difficult (or
recording these days has become a whole lot moreexpensive!), why not use a Drum Workstation such as
affordable!!BFD or Digidesign's strike? Sure it may not have the
"Record an album for under $5000?", you say - howpresence of a real drummer, but given your funding
can this be? So you've made some enquiries withrestrictions, it can be a great way to compose a really
various facilities in your surrounding areas and haveinteresting and creative drum part without all the
found that most studios start at $750 a day! But that'shassles of using a real drummer and drum kit. Due to
only 6 days! Looks like you'll be recording a verythe great sounds and realism of such programmes,
rushed album then! Then again, maybe not? Theprogramming drums is not only for dance music in this
reason most of these 'expensive' studios cost soday and age!
much is either rent or the amount of gear they have.As there are pro and cons on both sides when it
Depending on your visions of how the album is to becomes to using sampled drums verses real drums, it's
recorded, there are many different ways to cut costs,a great idea to consider which option is best for you
but not necessarily on the quality of the recordings.and your budget. Some questions you may ask
Many smaller studios cater more towards recordingyourself are: "Do I actually have a good drummer to
the smaller parts to the puzzle. They offer tremendoususe for the recording sessions?", "Will using sampled
savings with no real drawbacks!!drums affect the feel and vibe of the recording in an
Do you really need to spend 6 days in a $750 or moreadverse fashion?", "Can I afford a session drummer
per day studio? Is all that extra gear and space reallyduring rehearsals in the lead up to the recording?