As a musician, finding the right recording studio can make a huge difference in the quality and success of your music. Whether you’re a solo artist or part of a band, it’s important to take the time to research and choose a studio that meets your needs and budget. There are so many options at so many different price points, it’s hard to compare apples to apples sometimes. Here are four tips to help you find the perfect recording studio in Toronto:
Know your needs before you start looking for a studio, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you need. Consider factors like the size of the studio, the type of music you’re recording, and any specific equipment or features you require. This will help you narrow down your search and find a studio that’s well-suited to your project.
Some studios work predominantly in one type of music really well – sometimes you will be limited by the owner/operator having one particular preference. We used to specialize in Hip Hop and RnB and now we offer an entire team of talented engineers and producers each of which gravitate towards a particular genre of music. When it comes to finding a music producer knowing that they can work in your main genre is critical, they have to love it! It’s not so important when it comes to recording engineers as their creative input into the record might be limited since the song is already figured out.
Research studios in your area once you know what you’re looking for, start researching studios in your area. Look for studios with a good reputation and a track record of producing high-quality recordings. You can also ask for recommendations from other musicians or industry professionals, or check out online reviews to get a sense of what people are saying about different studios.
We’ve been around now for 10 years so we’ve built up a good reputation in the Toronto music scene. We’ll often get referrals and a lot of word of mouth simply due to the fact that we’ve been providing great quality work for so long. You really want to find a place where you can trust the people working their and they have every intention of making sure you feel comfortable, safe, and free to create!
Consider your budget of course, budget is always a major factor when choosing a recording studio. While it’s important to invest in quality, you also don’t want to break the bank. Look for studios that offer competitive rates and packages that fit your budget. You don’t really want to be asking for discounts in an industry where people already don’t feel valued. However, some studios do offer promotions for larger projects – don’t be afraid to negotiate or ask. At our studio we offer banked studio time packages where artists can purchase multiple hours upfront, usually in 20, 40, 80 hours blocks. It’s perfect for people who know they will be investing into the studio and production team for a lot of songs.
Another note about budget, sometimes you really do get what you pay for. Experienced engineers and record producers generally are not going to be working for free or below market rates. Also if someone has a Juno nomination or a win, they got it for a reason and usually their rates will reflect that. When we are producing projects we usually try and work within budgets of the artists and manage their expectations.
People who try and trade for exposure be warned, we get approached all the time, and we generally don’t like. I mean sometimes a good collaboration is a smart move but we have to love the project and not feel like we are getting shafted for our talents. Remember, Taylors Swifts producers get paid the big bucks for a reason. Their time has value and that value is bought with money or understanding the records will be turning a profit.
Visit the Studio and meet the team once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s a good idea to visit the studios in person and meet the team. This will give you a chance to see the facilities and get a feel for the vibe of the studio. You’ll also get to meet the engineers and producers who will be working on your project, so you can get a sense of their experience and approach to recording.
At our studio we will usually arrange for a consultation and studio tour free of charge. If we know your going to be working on a larger production, we might first suggest to book a small vibe session with the producer or engineer you will be predominantly working with. A vibe session – usually 2-4hours – is a great way to get a sense for the recording space and the person you’ll be working with. Comfort is key!
Finding the right recording studio is an important step in the music-making process. By taking the time to research your options and choose a studio that meets your needs, you’ll be well on your way to creating the music you’ve always dreamed of. You can learn more about our recording studio and how we can help with producing your music here.