In today’s professional recording studio equipment options are more varied and advanced than ever before. In fact, it’s hard to imagine the days of mixing boards and large speakers. The music industry is constantly changing, and professional recording equipment has developed, as well. Musicians have become increasingly interested in self-recording, either at home or on their own, for personal use, or by local artists and smaller labels. Many artists are also opting out of traditional record deals and signing independently to maximize their profit potential.
Professional recording studio equipment typically includes three main pieces: the” mixer board” (which will usually be stacked behind a computer monitor with several sound sources connected); “acoustic panels” which are used to bounce, mix, and transmit sounds between instruments and other sources; and “boards” which are used to control and monitor the sound levels and mix. Each of these pieces of equipment is designed to do a specific job, but without them working together in the right order, a recording can’t be created. If one of the pieces doesn’t function correctly, the entire recording will be delayed or come out sounding wrong. In addition to the mixer, acoustic panels and boards can be updated and replaced, added to, or removed from the original sound mixing setup. This all depends on the preferences of the individual artist or band.
Another common piece of professional recording studio equipment is the “sound engineer’s booth.” This is an isolated area, often just off of the main studio where sound engineers are setup and can monitor live instruments. Sound engineers also set up the appropriate feeders and speakers to properly reproduce sound for their mix. Although this piece of equipment may not necessarily be seen as a “piece of house equipment,” it is an integral part of any professional sound engineer’s workstation.