How To Build A Home Recording Studio, Part One Of A Series

By: Danielle

Transforming your basement from a place for storage into a useful home studio isn’t as hard as you may think. With the help of a few local contractors, some money from your savings and a bit of patience, you can have your own recording space.

Finding a Contractor

Building a home studio isn’t exactly a weekend DIY project. Though you’re not building a professional recording studio, you still want to invest in a functional space. Unless you’re extremely savvy with demolition, drywall installation, electrical wiring, soundproofing and general carpentry, you should hire a professional to handle the job.  Always hire someone who is licensed and fully insured.

Before hiring the contractor, consult sources like the Better Business Bureau to make sure the guys you’re hiring are qualified. Chances are you’ll need to hire multiple handymen to take care of different tasks (e.g. moving companies, demolitionists, and carpet layers). Get multiple quotes, check references and set up a plan.

Set a Budget

Your budget, of course, reflects the quality of studio you’re looking to build. If you’ve got an image in your mind of a professional studio, you can look forward to spending over $100,000. Most people don’t have access to unlimited amounts of money, set your budget and your expectations to fit a middle-of-the-road studio. You’ll want to focus on sound proofing the room, and ensuring your instruments and equipment are protected. The upgrades and finishes are up to you; but the basic bones of your studio should realistically fit within your budget.

The Basics

Soundproofing is what really sets your home studio apart from other rooms in your home.

Soundproofing includes walls, floors, ceilings doors and possibly even windows. You should be comfortable playing your instruments at full volume without bothering others in your home or neighborhood; so do not cut corners when it comes to soundproofing. If you’re worried about your budget, do some of the easier projects yourself, like laying  carpet or painting, to make up for the difference.

If you’re making a studio in a basement, don’t worry about soundproofing your floor or ceilings. But, if you’re living in a third-floor condo, your downstairs neighbors probably don’t want to hear your music every time you feel like playing it. In this case, you’ll definitely want to insulate all surfaces.

Plan Ahead

If you plan to use your own instruments or have pre-existing equipment, you’ll save money after the basic construction is done. Unforeseen and unanticipated expenses are likely to occur, so you want to make sure you plan ahead as much as possible.

Your renovation will be worth the wait. If you don’t cut corners and allocate the appropriate budget, your at-home studio will be enjoyed by you – and not the others in your building or neighborhood.