Recording studios had but one way to do business prior to the internet. A studio owner would buy or rent physical space, build it out with recording equipment and sound studios, and bring in musicians, vocalists, producers, and audio engineers to work their magic. That was then.
The modern recording studio can still do things the old way. But if they choose, they can also operate online. Online recording studios are gaining traction in an industry that has been completely upended by the combination of digital music and the internet.
Supreme Tracks is an online recording studio based in New York City. They say most of the studios they compete with offer a range of services on an à la carte basis. Clients can pick and choose services to meet their needs. To give you an idea what is out there, here are five ways an artist could utilize an online recording studio:
1. Full Song Production
Supreme Tracks says their most requested service is full song production. With this service, the artist gets everything they need from start to finish. This includes writing and composing help, arrangement assistance, full recording of all instruments and vocals, mixing, and mastering. This service is intended for people who have great ideas for songs but lack the skill and ability to do any of the work themselves.
2. Instrument Recording
Most online recording studios offer instrument recording using professional session musicians. Customers can contract for every track in a song or choose just one or two tracks, like drums and piano. Tracks are recorded in a professional studio, then sent digitally to the customer.
3. Vocal Support
Artists who do all their own instrumental tracks may still want professional vocal support. They hire the online recording studio to provide background vocal tracks they can insert into their projects during the mixing and mastering stage. Like instrument tracks, vocal tracks are recorded in a professional studio using session vocalists.
4. Music Arrangement
Sometimes an artist puts together a fantastic song that still needs something extra. That something could be professional arrangement. Music arrangement services are designed to take the basic foundation of an existing song and bring it to life. Arranging a song gives it structure and body. It allows musicians and vocals to better convey the essence of the piece.
5. Mixing and Mastering
Mixing and mastering are the final two processes involved in preparing a song for commercial release. Mixing is all about finding the right volume levels for each track in a song. Believe it or not, a song’s mix is not always constant. There are times when certain tracks need to be adjusted within the framework of the song. One track might start out softer but get louder toward the end.
Mastering is the process of taking a properly mixed song and adjusting it with effects. It includes things like adding reverb and chorus. Mastering sometimes requires making slight adjustments to vocals to keep them in tune. It sometimes means inserting or removing space to make up for a missed beat.
The beauty of the online model is that artists can pay for only what they need. Being able to choose à la carte services gives artists maximum control over their own projects. They can get as little or as much support as they need to turn their music into commercial-ready material.
Working with an online recording studio is not for everyone. Nonetheless, the online model has revolutionized how modern music is produced. It is a great option for those looking for an efficient and flexible experience.
