Why You Should Rent Space At A Professional Studio, Not A Home-Based One
If you're looking for a studio space rental for any reason, your first instinct might be to search online for a studio in your area. This search will likely yield a considerable number of results, but one thing that you'll notice is that there are lots of home-based studios listed for rent on classified websites. Many people who have home studios list their space in this manner, and while there are certainly some good home studios worth checking out, you should direct your focus to professional studios instead. Here are some problems that you might encounter should you be tempted to visit someone's home studio:
Lack Of Security
A professional recording studio is a secure environment. Not only do these facilities have controlled access, but they also often have storage lockers and on-site staff who help to keep the space secure. If you're going to be taking perhaps thousands of dollars worth of equipment to the studio, you want to feel confident that it will be safe. It's common to record over a series of days, which means that it's sensible to leave your gear at the studio. The idea of doing so when the studio is located in someone's house may make you feel less than confident.
Subpar Recording Equipment
You can count on a professional studio having recording equipment that is consistent with industry standards. The result, whether you're recording vocals or instruments, will be a professional-caliber sound — something that you definitely want to get when you're going to the expense of renting studio space. You can't guarantee what a home-based studio might offer in terms of equipment. It's possible that you'll run into poor-quality, outdated, or broken recording equipment in this type of venue. Any of these issues will negatively affect the results of your recording session.
Inadequate Soundproofing
One characteristic that sets professional studios apart from home-based studios is the caliber of the soundproofing. Professional studios make huge investments in soundproofing, because the last thing that any recording artist wants is the sound of something from outside — a fire engine driving past, for example — while recording. Although many home-based recording studios will have soundproofing materials up on the walls, you can generally assume that this space won't be nearly as soundproof as a professional environment. For more information about what a professional recording studio can offer you, find a few locations in your area and consider visiting them in person to check out their facilities.