Recording studio

Early recording studios often lacked isolation booths, baffles, and permanent monitors. Built as they were for live recording, they attempted rather to group musicians and singers than to separate them. With the introduction of multi-track recording, it became possible to record instruments and singers separately and at different times on different tracks on tape. Therefore, the emphasis shifted to isolation and sound-proofing. In the 1960s, recordings were analog recordings made using 1/4" or 1/2" 8-track magnetic tape. By the 1970s, recordings were made using 16- or 32-track equipment. Most contemporary recording studios now use digital recording equipment, and the number of tracks is limited to the capacity of the mixing console or a computer's capacity.

General purpose computers are assuming a larger role in the recording process, being able to replace the mixing console, recorders, synthesizers, samplers and sound effects devices. A computer thusly outfitted is called a DAW, Digital Audio Workstation. Popular software packages for recording studios include Pro Tools, Cubase, Rosegarden, Sonar, and Logic Audio. There are also dedicated computers which integrate a recorder, preamps, effects, and a mixing console. These devices are also called DAWs.

Recording studios are carefully designed so that they have good acoustics and that there is good sound insulation between the rooms. Smaller recording studios are called project studios.

Equipment found in a recording studio includes: