RECORDING November 2024 - 60

RECORDING
Field Notes
"
f course, in a gear-focused technology magazine
such as this, when you see the words " Studio " and
" Upgrade, " you automatically think of new mics, a
new compressor and more plugins. So, I hear you when you
ask, " What else is there besides gear? " Turns out, plenty.
One More Thing or Lots More Things?
Sometimes, upgrading your studio can likely include multiple
changes or many new things-a new monitoring system, a new
plugin suite or room treatments.
That said, we often do not upgrade our whole studio all at
once; rather, we typically upgrade one piece at a time. And if
you are building one step at a time, you probably want to have
a plan mapped out and keep an eye on the end game, the big
picture, the whole enchilada, as the kids used to say.
Guiding Principles of Upgrading
As I've mentioned in previous articles, when upgrading anything
in my setup (mics, monitors, whatever), I look to one of two
guiding principles. I either upgrade the next weakest link in the
studio as a whole or upgrade the studio's capabilities by adding
a new tool that does things no previous tool did for me.
To highlight the second one, I recently wanted to add new
rhythmic capabilities to my studio and my performance setup by
purchasing a hardware-based drum machine.
In that case, the drum machine represented a new tool with
new features for my setup as a whole. Conversely, other times,
you may not be looking for a specific new toy but rather a better
or improved version of something you already have or can do.
Informed Direction
Once I have a good working foundation of tools for my setup, I am
careful when I want " more " of something I already have. Let's take
compressors as one example. I'm no fanatic, but I do love different
types of compressors. I like to think I finally have enough experience
with hardware and software compressors alike to tell the difference between
them, and it can be exciting to experience and explore them all.
But I'm also realistic about the fact that I will probably use the
same four or so in my sessions over the course of a typical year.
So, I really don't NEED another compressor. But sometimes, I
WANT...let's just say the struggle is real.
Upgrades of the Non-Gear Kind
Now, let's set our sights on a different part of the studio-
anything that remains if you remove all the recording gear, tools
and treatments. Of course, all of the above considerations apply.
60 RECORDING November 2024
Everything
but the Gear
By Giles Reaves Your Seating
O
You spend a lot of time there.
We spend a lot of time in our studios sitting in our mix/editing
position. Without realizing it, you use your studio chair more than
all of your mics, outboard gear, and even your headphones and
monitors. Yet, many of us are content to grab and use just any old
chair. Ideally, you want a chair that is ergonomic, comfortable
for long sessions, and one that will last for years. Also, feel free to
find one that you like the looks of that fits your studio's visual style.
My advice is not to skimp or cheap out on this area. Please take
care of your body!
Your Lighting
See clearly and be inspired.
Proper lighting is also important. For certain tasks, you need
bright light; for others, you may prefer mood light. For me, I wanted
to bring the look, feel and experience of live stage lighting
into the studio. However, I also needed to consider times when
I require bright white utility lighting, and I also shoot video in my
studio, so my lighting needs to fulfill that need as well.
As such, my studio is currently decked out with fully programmable
color-changing LED lighting. And yeah, it's groovy, baby.
Your Acoustics
It affects everything you hear.
We covered acoustics and studio setup in the September issue,
so this will be brief, but acoustics is one area in which many
studios-my own studio included -could almost always use an
upgrade or re-evaluation.
I can tell you from experience that even a decently tuned room with
no glaring issues means you spend far less time second-guessing yourself
and way more time making music (and trusting the results)! If you
record in the same space as you mix, it becomes doubly worth it!
A Place to Chill
Lounging is important, too!
Where do you or your clients just chill and relax when you are
not in the thick of recording or mixing? I have devoted the back of
my single-room creative space (see my September 2024 column)
to a small desk and modular seating with a tasteful coffee table-
to really bring the space together.
It's nice to have an alternate place to listen to works in progress
from the back of the room or sit there when reading or researching
online-I.E., a comfortable place (other than your studio chair and studio
desk that is made for lounging). Comfort will be a recurring theme.
"
RECORDING November 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of RECORDING November 2024
