Live Work Lofts: Recording Studio Conversion

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Live Work Lofts: Recording Studio Conversion

Staff Writer · Jan 21, 2011

Live work lofts present a great opportunity for music recording. Whether you’re an artist or music producer, you’ll find enough room for your personal living space and for the studio itself. Recording studios don’t have to be big, and many good quality spaces can be built using only a small amount of space. Here’s what you can do to create an environment suited for music recording:

Choose a Dedicated Space

The space in your loft that’s used for your recording studio can only be used for that purpose. Consider whether you’re going to record music for others or for yourself. If clients will come to the loft to record, then it should be on the ground floor near the entrance if possible. If you’re recording your own music, then you have more options, including the upper floor.

Buy a Recording Booth

Landlords of live work lofts aren’t going to approve of you building a permanent recording studio in most cases. The tenant after you may have no interest in music recording, and won’t be interested in it taking up space. Your best option for recording music may be to buy a recording booth or enclosure to fit in the dedicated space you choose. For example, some booths only measure four inches by four inches, and that may be enough for your recording needs. There are larger sizes as well.  The booths are fully sound-proofed and include a convenient door for entering and existing.  Here are a few websites of companies that sell small and medium sized recording booths:

  • VocalBooth.com
  • WhisperRoom.com
  • SoundSuckers.com

Try to buy one that won’t be too difficult to move to your next apartment with the help of professional movers.

Build a Portable Recording Studio

You can save a lot of money if you build your own portable recording studio. All you need is plywood, absorbing closed cell foam that’s at least two inches thick and hinges to assemble the booth. Adding mass loaded vinyl barrier, to the floors and walls of the booth, will prevent noise from leaking through the booth and disturbing your neighbors or roommates. One advantage to using portable recording studios in live work lofts is that you can break them down easily and move to another location in the loft or to a new loft. It’s also much less expensive than buying pre-made recording booths sold by retailers.

Set up Equipment in Booth Space

The needs of each recording studio vary. It’s important to research what the standard equipment is for the music you want to record, check forums and review websites for what customers are saying about specific brands. You should also ask local musicians about what they use and the best techniques for blocking resonation and audio reflections. Don’t be cheap when buying a microphone. You’ll want the best quality one you can afford to buy.

Whether it’s for business or private use, live work lofts have more than enough space for music recording studios. You just have to decide which approach works best for you.

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