| A recording studio is a specialized environment in | | | | workstations, equalizers and other outboard equipment, |
| which sounds and voices are captured and recorded. | | | | and programming workstations. |
| Ideally, recording studios are purpose-built built and | | | | Since the reign of analog and solid-state equipment in |
| designed with acoustic values at the forefront, to | | | | the late 80's, recording equipment has advanced to the |
| ensure that recordings are not affected in any way by | | | | digital age in which much recording is done using |
| external noise. | | | | computers. |
| A studio can be used for many different disciplines, | | | | Digital recording produces a very crisp sound which |
| from creating music tracks by an individual artist or | | | | some audiophiles call sterile, especially compared to |
| band to the recording of voiceovers and sound design | | | | vintage analogue equipment which produces a warmer |
| for TV ads and programs. | | | | sound. |
| Studios are commonly made up of two separate | | | | But what if you're a band that is performing a live |
| rooms, usually adjoined. The Live room is where the | | | | concert that you want recorded? You can't bring 50 |
| artist, band or vocalist will perform their recording. The | | | | to 60 thousand fans into a studio! |
| other room is called the control room, where the sound | | | | This is when a mobile recording unit is required. Mobile |
| engineer operates all the technical recording equipment | | | | recording companies are professional recording |
| used for recording, mixing and maximizing the sounds. | | | | technicians that specialize in 'OB' - outdoor broadcast |
| Larger purpose-built recording studios usually also have | | | | or recording of music events. |
| what is known as Isolation rooms. Usually smaller, this is | | | | This is quite an involved and technical task requiring a |
| where instruments that need to be played at a higher | | | | lot of different elements that have to come together. |
| volume are recorded, so the sound does not leak into | | | | When working with a live band and live audience, |
| other microphones being used to simultaneously record | | | | careful positioning of different types of equipment is |
| other instruments or voices. The individual audio | | | | essential. With any live event, there is only one chance |
| elements are then mixed together in the control room. | | | | to capture the performance. |
| Studios these days are equipped with a multitude of | | | | Multiple microphones need to be in place to capture |
| different technologies that is used to bring together all | | | | not only the band, but the feel of the audience. |
| the different parts of a performance. Along with the | | | | Later, the live concert recording can be mixed down |
| microphones and monitors in the live room, some | | | | and balanced in the recording studios. During this |
| studios even provide extra instruments for bands that | | | | process, unwanted noises can be edited or filtered out, |
| would be impractical to hire in, or that are collectible - | | | | overdubs and other enhancements can be added in |
| such as a grand piano or a Fender Rhodes. | | | | post-production. |
| The main feature of the control room is the mixing | | | | The final mix should sound like natural balance |
| desk, but it also has equipment like multi-track | | | | between the performers, with the fans providing |
| recorders, speakers or studio monitors, digital audio | | | | excitement and atmosphere. |