Cookie's Corner - #175 You want to record at home? Let me offer a few pros and cons.....
From Cookie Marenco - Founder and Producer Blue Coast Records and Music
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So you think you want to record something?
You’re an audio enthusiast and love the intricate nature of gear. You say to yourself… “How hard can it be? Buy a microphone and point it at the performer, right?”
If you’re a musician, you’re dealing with the escalating costs of recording at a studio and declining costs of music income. Streaming doesn’t pay the bills for a great studio and session musicians.
You’re newly retired and need something more to do. Why not setup a studio? You think to yourself - “My neighbor is a really talented guitar player I can record!”
These and more are examples of discussions I’ve had in the last month with really wonderful people who may not have any idea what they might have gotten themselves into.
The PROS of recording yourself
There’s no time limit to how long you can spend on a project (which can also be a "con” but more on that in a later newsletter).
The hourly cost is a lot less than a recording studio (that is, if you don’t count your own time as valuable).
It’s fun to get together with friends, make a band and record the rehearsals (I can’t argue with this - that’s how I started).
“I have a dream to record my music, put the music on Spotify and make MILLIONS of dollars and it’s free if I do it myself.”
The CONS of recording yourself
The cost of buying microphones, preamps, cables, headphones, mic stands, racks, direct boxes, headphone boxes, DAW (digital audio workstation software), computer. Let’s start with a one mic setup of GREAT gear (what I would use for example). $25,000 to $35,000. I’ve spent well over $700,000, half of that in gear and half in reconstruction of my house. You can do it for less, but you won’t get a great sound. And plan to KEEP spending money as software and computers get outdated quickly.
Learning how to use recording software. Buying the gear is easy - it’s just money. Learning to use recording software is a pain - if you want to use it to any degree of competancy. I’ve worked with brilliant people who decide to learn. It’s not easy. Take my word for it. I’ve been doing this for 40 years and there’s always more to learn.
Learning to get a great sound can take years and years of trial and error. At first you may not notice where you placed the microphone and think it sounds great. You got sound! Congratulations…. now, what’s that constant buzzing I hear through the music? The neighbor’s buzz saw? Your energy company throttling your power? Need to flip the ground?
Warning… your friends and family are not your fans and they WILL get tired of having to listen to your test recordings. Sure, they smile, but after a while do yourself a favor and get a studio buddy.
But if you’re serious….
There’s no stopping someone who is serious about learning this craft. It might turn into an occupation. Hey, look what happened to me? 40 years later, I’m still learning more and love the people I work with. Plus, I’ve found about 37,000 people who seem to enjoy the music I make (and it’s NOT my friends or family).
Enjoy your music!
Cookie Marenco
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On the left is me and Gus Skinas from Sony. Gus got us started in DSD more than 20 years ago. Middle is David Angress CEO of QSC (and the man who’s business sold us our initial recording gear 40 years ago). On the right is Mike Newman (standing) and his son A.J. (who’s contemplating a career in music). Mike was a roommate and top product manager for so many pieces of gear I can’t remember them all.
Cookie Marenco
Producer and Founder
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