Anyone concerned about so many big studios closing?

It's sad to see, but it makes me wonder what could have been done to stop it. Could they have taken on different types of work and lived with a different budget? Maybe the owners were just ready to retire and said that's that? I don't know, I don't have the information and frankly haven't put any time into investigating it. Might be interesting to know, might not.

I heard one of the studios posted a sort of explanation but again I haven't sought it out to read.

It's not a good thing in my eyes, but maybe just part of the evolution of recording. Smaller budgets, smaller rooms, producers who engineer etc.

But why whine about it?

War

I think it's a shame. I don't go in for some of the "they deserve it" crap I have been reading.

Many of the studios going under are privately held. And have knowledgable, and worthwhile engineers, and others. Some will move on, some will go to new studios.

I have knowledge of one studio, which closed it's doors a couple years ago. One many here would be familiar with. As well as some of the engineer/producers.

The reasons were myriad. That the trend being seen now, was already coming, was part of it.. The outcome, was that a new studio or 2 came out of it. Though the owner moved on to other ventures.

The real studios are not evil. They are not necessarily beholden to "the Man". They are not Meccas, and they are not omniscient.

They are often great places to record in a professional atmosphere.

If some are willing to settle for home recordings, that is fine. But if they have ever been to a real studio, they know the difference. And I doubt they would complain about that experience.

What this does do is limit the availability of a service that could be benefitial, to many. Perhaps it has to do with people recording at home. Soon those very people will know what they want. As they realize the limitations of their gear, and experience. I hope there is a venue for them to achieve that, should they choose to go to a real studio.

Being a recording engineer and mucian is not always the best thing for many. I hope some recognize this before it's too late for them.

Well put brother.

War

It's not even close enough to my level for gear trickle down.

Seriously, the stuff I listen to by and large has very little to do with mega studios. It usually comes out of really good places that focus on doing certain things really well instead of being all things to all people. How many studios can there be that cater to platinum stars on that sort of level? And I've never seen empirical proof that all the frills lead to better music - they just make sure that entertainers wealthy enough to use silk to wipe their asses don't suffer any discomfort.

The original mega studios existed because they were great sounding rooms with great engineers and great gear. I don't see why we need receptionists who are ex-Laker Girls, imported bottled water, and fresh flowers daily to make music.

Bear

I'm with ya on the trickle down Bear.

The Studio to which I refered wasn't a smoke and mirrors affair, with Bimbos, and glitz. It was a tasteful place. If there were flowers, so be it.

Not big in size, but the gear was top notch, the amps and guitars available were bought cuz the owner liked them, the rooms were great, and the producers/engineers were/are top notch. And the B3 just looked cool, and worked.

Cool people, who enjoy what they do, did it very well there for 18 years or so. And created an environment in which both international, and new local bands could make recordings that weren't gonna be much better, no matter where they went.

Time and budget allowing, damn near anyone could go. Discounted overnight rates, maybe with an aspiring engineer. But I think everyone got your money's worth.

I miss it. But still see some of the people, often enough. That's good.

well here is some good news on that front.. my friend tardon feathered just sold his studio (mr. toads) to Phil Graham Presents, its closing its doors to bands and now is just gonna archive all of the recordings and videos and films that phil graham has collected for all these years.

he got a huge chunk of cash (hes buying a house in the bay area with it, if that means anything) everyone in the studio keeps their job, gets a raise, gets better benefits.

he is super happy about it...

Bill....er....Phil would be happy too.

Which studios have closed?

ooops bill phil...

*blushes*

Muscle Shoals closes its doors

And, don't forget Cello and the Hit Factory.

Much as I try to ignore Rolling Stone, that was a good article. That is really a shame.

You will not hear the Humidity, affect the mics, you will not here the magic. I believe in these things.

I know I am in the lurch maybe, but, climate controlled, no smoking, labratories are not magic. Nor do you get a regional flavor quite often.

Listen for the radiators clang, you just may hear them in my stuff. we are no Muscle Shoals. But, we live life. Music needs to live.

Good, they actually give some credit where it's due - the people. It's like Motown - it wasn't all the room, it was mostly the band in that room.

There is something nice to playing a space with a history, though - it can be quite inspiring.

Bear