Recording Studios

• Based on US Census data, there were 1,700 recording studios in the US in 2015. The studios employed 5,037 people, who were paid an average wage of $54,608.
• The lions share of the studios are located in Los Angeles and New York, with Nashville, a distant third. The top five cities for recording studios is rounded out by Chicago and Miami.
• In the age of the internet, many have argued that recording studios have a limited life expectancy. However, this is not necessarily the case. They offer what is not readily available when recording in a home environment. Professional recording studios offer the necessary sound, instruments, recording equipment, and perhaps most importantly the professional knowledge to successfully mix a song or album.

Cost of a Recording Studio

• The quality of the recording equipment is usually the major determinant of price. Home studios typically start at around $25 per hour, while those with top of the line equipment are closer to $200 per hour.
• Pricing is also determined by who is recording. A singer-songwriter who uses fewer resources and equipment will generally be charged less than a band. For example, Shine on Studios in California offers singer-songwriters a two-hour package, including a sound engineer for $150. The same package will cost a band $220.
• The larger recording studios offer different sized rooms, which is also a factor in the pricing. The Abstract Studio in Los Angeles charges a competitive $25 per hour for its smallest room, with prices increasing with the size of the room chosen.
• Some studios offer a flat rate studio rental without any time minimum or other conditions. Often these rentals include pre-production, mixing, and mastering. Examples of studios adopting this approach include Simchas´s Basement in New Jersey at $25 per hour and Indecent Music in Massachusetts at $45 per hour.

Summary

• In our initial hour of research, we have determined there is a significant amount of information available around music recording studios, the factors of success, pricing, and current trends. We recommend continuing research as set out below.