The famous lead vocalist of rock band Queen once said, “I won’t be a rock star. I will be a legend.” Freddie Mercury is certainly a legend and “for him the studio was an oasis, a place where life was just the same as it always had been. He loved making music, he lived for it”, says Brian May, the band’s lead guitarist. Whether you’re a professional musician or just love to tinker with music, designing a great studio is important for your enjoyment and to produce something that is of quality. In addition to fun, convenience, and flexibility, a music studio at home allows you to become innovative and enhances your skills.
A Dedicated Space Matters
The first thing that you need to do is to find a space that you can use as a music studio. It can be a spare room or a corner in your home. The general rule is, the bigger the room, the better. If the room is large, you’ll have enough space for people, furniture, instruments, and equipment. And if you don’t have enough space, think about whether you can cover a loft extension cost to give your music studio the room it deserves.
Unfortunately, not every house can free up a room. Since you are bound to make some noise, you might be disturbing members of your household especially if your music studio is in the corner of the living room or at the hallway leading to the bedrooms.
A feasible option is to erect portable buildings in your backyard. These movable structures are easy to assemble and come in different styles, sizes, and prices. Choose a quiet location that is far from the main house and away from your neighbors. Trees and vegetation around your studio will also help in muting noise.
Improve Sound Dispersion and Acoustics
After you have identified the location of your rock music studio, remove everything that is in that room especially things on walls and floors that will vibrate. Consider sound proofing your music studio if ambient or traffic noise is going to be a problem. Remember, you will also be making a lot of noise, so it helps if the sounds emanating from your studio are muffled to avoid disturbing neighbors and even wildlife.
Use big carpets and furniture to absorb sound and improve its dispersion. If your studio has several windows, put thick curtains that will absorb noise. Sound absorbing drapery also reduces noise levels and are more effective than decorative curtains.
Equip Your Music Studio
You will need a large desk and a comfortable office chair as a work station. A powerful computer that’s able to handle all video processing or audio mastering is essential. Unless you are planning to travel with your computer (in this case, get a laptop), go for a desk top with at least, 3.0 GHz processor, 16GB RAM and 500GB of hard drive capacity. Choose a monitor, 15” and above, or even a dual-monitor for convenience.
Install software that you will need to make, mix, and produce rock music. Some of the most popular software out there now are Pro Tools, Ableton Live 10, and Logic Pro X. Moreover, invest in a large studio microphone and accessories such as a stand, cable, and pulp filter. A good set of headphones is also important.
Designing a rock music studio at home involves lots of planning from choosing a location to buying the right gear. If you have a well-conceived studio, it is enjoyable to play, listen, mix, and produce your own music.
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