Industry news & advice blog

So, you've got your band together, written some songs, practised those songs, now it’s time to record them and unleash them on the world. This can be a complete minefield if you're not careful. Bad recordings can do you more harm than good and it’s important you match your expectations with your limitations (cost, location, time).

The first option is to record yourself at home. Sounds like a great idea, but remember...good microphones are expensive, the rooms you record in weren't built with acoustics in mind and this can result in a much bigger problem than you'd imagine. Again, it comes down to your expectations. If you're a singer songwriter with just an acoustic guitar and software instruments then recording at home is a viable option and you can get results that aren't far off a pro studio if you learn how to use everything effectively. However, if you're a 40 piece gypsy folk band, you could find recording at home to be a step too far!

Assuming you want to go into a studio, you need to think about a few things. The best studios won't be able to record 10 tracks in a day, so get that idea out of your heads before we go on! Besides, you'd be better off spending a day getting one amazing track down than 10 rushed songs that aren't mixed well. Cost is important. Plan your time well - most studios work on a 10-12 hour day, and you'll get discounts if you go in for longer. Here are the studios I can personally recommend in the Midlands.

The Magic Garden
Probably the best known studio in the region, and with good reason, Gavin Monaghan's Magic Garden has been churning out some of the most successful music to come out of these parts for the past decade. It all started with Editors, but quickly moved on to The Twang, Nizlopi, Scott Matthews, and then to smaller acts such as Sick City Club, Jake Flowers, Guile and Scarlet Harlots. Among the most hardworking people in music, Gavin and his engineer Gazz Rogers are two of the good guys, and if you've got a good thing going on, they can really bring out the best in you. The gear they have is insane, running a huge Mac/PC Pro Tools HD rig with microphones once warbled into by Mick Jagger, Ian Brown and Lauren Hill. The Magic Garden is one of the best studios available to unsigned/upcoming acts in the Midlands.

£300 a day studio rate
www.myspace.com/magicgardenstudio

Monochrome Productions
Tom Gittins runs Monochrome Productions, a freelance production company based in Stratford Upon Avon. He works all over the world and is an upcoming young producer with a shedload of talent. Well versed in Logic and Pro Tools, Tom has an ability to perform recording alchemy and make a lot out of not very much! Clients include Octane Ok!, The Lines and The Culprit, and I can't do much more than say this guy’s sounds speak for themselves. Check him out  www.monochromeproductions.com and contact for rates!

Blue Whale
Situated in the Custard Factory, Birmingham's creative hub in Digbeth, Blue Whale is an upcoming studio that has become synonymous with the coolest music Birmingham has to offer. Tantrums, Scarlet Harlots, Silver Souvenirs and Ace Bushy Striptease have all made use of the facilities run by Andy Roberts. There isn't the sheen you get in some studios but that for me is what makes this place different, there's a slightly chaotic feeling to a lot of the stuff that comes out of here and that energy really transfers into the music, which makes it jump out of your stereo! With a choice of engineers, you'll find someone that can make your music sound amazing, and the place even has its own show on Rhubarb Radio! 

£250-350 a day depending on engineer, and how long you're in for...
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