So your band has been playing together for a while, playing regular gigs and enjoying the spotlight. Where to next? One answer could be establishing the band’s social media, building recognition and creating an online presence. Eventually you will need to include some musical content on these platforms right?
Most upcoming bands won’t usually have the finances to go out and buy a range of musical and recording equipment, that’s the just the reality when starting out as a musician. Also taking into consideration the extensive list of equipment that is used to create a great and captive track. Heading into a well-equipped studio might be an option but that does not mean I am not asking you to fly to England and record a mind-blowing studio album in Abbey Road Studios. Let’s explore the top 3 studios I found in Australia that adhere to an artists lifestyle and budget.
1. Heliport Studios, Sunshine Coast QLD.
Based in the beautiful Sunshine Coast, Heliport Studios is definitely a hidden secret. Apart from its magnificent location and surroundings (must I add a 10 minute drive to Mooloolaba beach) Heliport acquires a wide range of analogue and digital equipment, including a personal favourite of mine, the Studer A827 24- channel Tape machine.
The main studio having five separate acoustic spaces attached to the control room can allow bands to record in a live setting but having an isolated touch for the recording process. James Russell (Studio director, engineer, producer, composer) and Elliot Heinrich (Producer, engineer, songwriter) are the main operators at Heliport, and are very well renowned for their works. Artists: The Dreggs, Apollos Twins
2. Chapel Lane Studios, Adelaide SA.
Chapel Lane Studios, exactly how it sounds, situated inside a historical congregational church built in 1882, the structure of this chapel provides a stunning natural ambiance perfect for a recording space and I’m most certainly sure the artists lucky enough to produce here won’t be disappointed.
Equip with a fully analogue SSL Duality 72- channel console, this is the centrepiece of the control room, definitely enough to get you audio geeks excited. Chapel studios also provides a huge variety of recording equipment and musical instruments. Artists: Hilltop Hoods, INXS
3. Reel To Reel Studios, Margate TAS.
Heading down south and exploring the mainland of Tasmania we come across Reel To Reel Studios, Situated in a small seaside town called Margate. This studio caters to all musicians, with a wide diverse library of analogue and digital equipment and offering online mastering and mixing services, you won’t even have to leave your bedroom.
Zarven Kara (manager, producer, engineer) has used wooden-crete, untreated timber and concrete floors to build this incredible studio which consists of a mix/control room and two recording rooms. The studio sits in the silent hills of Margate with a jaw-dropping bush backdrop, getting those creative flows flowing. Artists: Allan Gogoll, Urshula Leung, The Porch Syndicate.
Take The Next Step.
Recording takes time and it also takes investment from the band itself. It is possible to find quality sources for recording that are affordable and flexible, take a look at these three incredibly well located studios that won’t be costing you an arm and a leg. It’s definitely time for bands to take a leap into a new world of possibility and learning inside a studio. Take a dive further and really explore these creative outlets.
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