From Bay Eight to Criteria, there are many legendary Miami recording studios to choose from. Still, finding the right fit for you requires careful consideration. We’re happy to walk you through how to choose a studio in Miami. Here are 7 factors most artists miss when searching for recording studios in Miami:
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- Consider Which Miami Recording Studio You Would Be Most Comfortable In
- Choose A Recording Studio That Is Conveniently Located
- Consider if the Studio’s Hours Work For You
- Find A Studio That Has Recorded Artists in Your Genre
- Read the Reviews for the Recording Studios You’re Considering
- Read the Fine Print
- Find a Studio that Offers Label Services You May Need
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Consider Which Miami Recording Studio You Would Be Most Comfortable In
You may have checked out the equipment and found a studio with affordable rates. But what about the people? What about the vibe? Is the place clean? Do you feel comfortable there? You’re not likely to do your best work in a studio with a weird smell and an engineer you don’t like. While technical considerations like budget and equipment are important, the less tangible stuff, the feel of the place, is even more important.
Most studios allow you to do a tour before booking. A tour is a golden opportunity to assess red and green flags. Do the producers and engineers seem interested and excited about your music? Do you hear them badmouthing other clients? Be sure to seek out people who care more about the music than their egos, and who are respectful of your opinion, even if they have more experience than you.
Find A Studio That Has Recorded Artists in Your Genre
Your studio, producer, and engineer are often a package deal. If you don’t already have your own team, it’s best to find a studio with producers and / or songwriters you want to work with. In this case, it’s a good idea to make sure the studio has recorded artists in your genre. If the producer and engineer are not experienced or interested in your genre, you will probably get less guidance from them. Having someone who is just going through the motions is not ideal, especially if you are new to the process and hoping for some direction.
Location
You’ll want to pick a studio that’s reasonably close to you and easy to get to. You’re much more likely to frequent a studio that’s within 10 minutes from your house rather than one that’s an hour away. While you want to find the best studio in your area, convenience should be part of your consideration in determining what the “best” studio is for you.
When searching for the optimal location, consider parking, whether you feel safe in the area (including at night if you plan to record late), and proximity to other artists / creative spaces for collaborative purposes. Bay Eight is located in Miami’s “Studio City,” a scenic area that is not just a hub for music, but also dining, recreation, and the arts. This makes Bay Eight an inspiring and comfortable place to record music.
Hours
Sometimes indie artists book the fanciest studio they can find. Then, they find themselves competing for a timeslot, or getting bumped when major label musicians want to record there. This is one of the many reasons it’s so important to make a note of the studio’s hours and see if they work for you. Some studios are only open a few hours a day, meaning they don’t really cater to anyone with a 9 to 5.
Bay Eight is open 24-hours a day. We understand that some artists are night owls while others are morning people. We pride ourselves on being accessible to both Top 40 artists and newbie musicians. Our team is just as proud to nurture new talent as we are to host household names, so you can be assured your project will be handled with the same level of care we treat someone like Glorilla’s.
Read the Reviews for the Recording Studios You’re Considering
If you have friends who are musicians, you should ask them for recommendations. If this isn’t an option for you, it’s even more essential to check out the reviews of the studios you’re considering. Find a place with a good rating.Your internet friends will give you a lot of insight that you wouldn’t otherwise have until you’ve already handed over your money.
This is also how you’ll find out if the studio is known for being disorganized and losing files often. If they take weeks to respond to emails or there’s an engineer that’s always on their phone during sessions, you’ll be grateful for knowing these things beforehand. Of course, it’s important to discern which reviews are important to you and which aren’t. If someone gives a studio a low rating because none of the studio’s spaces were big enough for their band, you should feel free to disregard if you’re a solo artist.
With over 600 reviews and a 4.9 Google rating, Bay Eight is one of the highest rated recording studios you’ll find, not just in Miami, but anywhere.
Read the Fine Print
Some studios have a low hourly rate, but every amenity is an extra charge. Snacks? Microphone? Session musicians? All of these costs add up. If you have to choose between 10 hours at a mid-range studio or 1 hour at an elite facility, you’re better off booking the one you can afford long term. Is this a studio you can afford for the duration of your project? Leave some wiggle room in your budget in case the music making process takes longer than you expected, especially if this is your first time recording music. Lucky for you, we have an article that breaks down studio costs in Miami.
We at Bay Eight aim to keep our studio accessbile to a wide range of budgets. As a result, we offer a range of prices based on your needs, off-peak discounts, and occassional promos. Join our mailing list so you can be among the first to know about these deals!
Label Services
If you can find a trusted studio that offers services like mentorship, songwriting camps, licensing services, artist development, etc – you’ve hit the jackpot! Having a one-stop-shop allows you to build a trusted network. This means more seamless communication and a team of collaborators working with you every step of the way to ensure your success.
With major labels offering fewer services, and more artists choosing to remain independent, many recording studios have stepped up to fill these roles that are very much needed. Finding a recording studio that also has the capabilities to record footage for your music video or social media content can allow you to accomplish two thngs at once. Using the same studio for multiple purposes is also a great way to finesse additional discounts 😉
Conclusion
We reccomend auditioning the studios you’re considering before shelling out hundreds or thousands of your hard-earned money. Whatever studio you choose, you’ll be spending a lot of time there. So, book a trial session to test out the equipment. Check out the bathrooms. Ask your engineer to send you files from your trial session so you can go home and assess the quality of the recording in a different environment.
Take your time before commiting to doing a whole project. If you’re considering Bay Eight for your recording project, we’d be happy to give you a tour!
