Many people dream of having their own music studio, and setting one up can be more achievable than you think. Whether you are a professional musician who needs space to rehearse, or a keen hobbyist who longs for a dedicated space to play and store guitars, here are some useful points to consider when planning your home studio.
Decide on the space
The studio needs to be large enough to accommodate all of your equipment and also allow enough space for you to play instruments or work on compositions. A converted garage or attic space, a spare bedroom, a basement, or a garden room are ideal. Obviously a band with drums, bass and lead guitars will require more space than a single musician.
Ideally, the space should have a level of soundproofing to avoid disturbing other household members or neighbours. The best way to do this is to install internal stud walls with soundproofing material in between. However, if you do not want to undertake this amount of work and expense, you could install acoustic panels.
Other ways to reduce noise transfer include placing large items of furniture against walls, and installing drapes and soft furnishings. However, acoustic panelling is a good solution that will control reverberations and help your music to sound great. Ideally, choose a space with high ceilings to reduce sound reflections.
Plan layout and storage
Your studio should have an uncluttered layout to enable you to create music safely and effectively. Wall mounted guitar racks are an excellent solution to free up floor space and ensure your instruments are easily accessible and out of harm’s way. They also bring a decorative element to your studio, showcasing the beautiful shapes of the instruments.
Place the hooks or racks at a comfortable height so you can access them easily, with enough space between each one to avoid crowding. Ensure the size and fixings for the rack is suitable for the weight and number of instruments that you have.
Other storage you may need include shelves or cupboards for smaller pieces of equipment and accessories.
Furnishings
The type and amount of furniture you need will obviously depend on the style of music you are making: if the studio is purely for mixing purposes, the workstation will be your main priority for your computer and audio interface, with a means to store gear such as speakers, cables and other accessories.
If you are a band, then maximising floor space will be more of a priority. Some comfortable seating such as a sofa will be useful for breaks and creative discussions. If you are a singer-songwriter, a comfortable ergonomic chair will help you to avoid back and neck strain.
Good levels of task and ambient lighting will help you focus and set the right mood. Finally, add some personal touches with wall art, plants, and other inspiring items.
