Music recording studios have their own special lingo. If you're a recording engineer, work in any way in a music production studio or are an artist, you must have at least a basic understanding of these terms. Fortunately, there are many useful sources to teach you music recording studios key terms.

Common music production studio terms may be broken down into three main categories. It's wise to study each category, at least to a degree. Clearly, if you're an engineer, you should have a firm grasp of all these areas, while an artist can get away with a lesser understanding of most categories. These categories are:

1. Modern recording studio terms used by engineers

2. Terms related to microphones, used in analog and digital recording studios

3. Musical terms commonly heard in the music recording studio

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn engineering terms used in analog and digital recording facilities

There are a vast array of terms used by recording engineers. Some common terms you might run across include 'A-B' (comparing two audio components by going back and forth between the two), 'balance' (the volume level of several instruments or tracks), 'control room' (the room where the engineer controls the recording) and 'leakage' (when one instrument's sound bleeds into another instrument's microphone).

I recommend: For a comprehensive look at terms recording engineers often use, see "Glossary of Recording Terms" at Deltamedia. Another excellent source is "Pro Audio Reference" at Rane.

Research microphone recording studio information

Since microphones play such a huge part in the success of a good audio recording, it's not surprising many studio terms are directly related to mics. Some common terms include 'bi-directional' (a mic functioning in two areas, 180 degrees apart), 'clipping' (distortion created when a signal overwhelms the capabilities of any equipment processing that signal; the result is peak sounds being 'clipped' off) and 'pop' (a loud, popping sound usually created by exhaling air into a mic).

I recommend: See "Microphone Glossary" at MicSupply.com for a great reference of mic-related terms. "Microphone Terminology" at Microphones Etc. is also a useful source.

Study musical terms commonly used in a recording studio

There are some music terms used frequently in recording facilities. These include 'chorus' (the main part of a piece of music, repeated at least twice within the duration of the song), 'a capella' (singing without musical accompaniment) and 'attack' (the start of a note).

I recommend: For an excellent general music glossary, visit SimplyTheBest.net. Guitar Nine Records also offers a comprehensive glossary of music and recording terms.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While music recording facility engineers should have a firm understanding of all terms related to their field, studios don't expect artists to understand every term used. Never be afraid to ask for definitions, if needed.

Music recording studios cater to musicians looking for a break, as well as to established rock groups and other successful musicians.

Recording studios offer facilities to score films and TV shows, mix and master prerecorded music and record new music tracks. Although many recording projects can be completed in a home studio, certain music requires the expertise that professional recording engineers and large music production studios offer.

You can find info about recording studios from a local music school, by surfing the web, or by asking musician friends for advice. Before finding a studio for music production that suits your needs, consider the scope of the project and your final goal. You may want to add a soundtrack to an indie film, record a demo to send to a major record label, or use digital recording facilities to produce an independent music release. Whatever your goals, a modern recording studio can help you achieve them. This guide will help you:

1. Determine which music recording studios will be suitable for your project;
2. Give an overview of info about recording studios, like what equipment should be in the facility; and
3. Describe some successful music production studios.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide on a full service studio with top rate equipment and personnel

If you have a major project and the money to get it off the ground, do research on some of the top digital recording facilities and recording studios in the country. Check the info on the back of your favorite CDs and read trade industry publications for info about recording studios.

I recommend: Look into a full service recording studio like The Village,
a famous studio for music recording in Los Angeles. The featured equipment includes a Vintage Never console, along with Pro Tools and such accouterments a private lounge, gym and kitchenette. Locate a similar studio in the Midwest like Paragon Recorders if you’re in the middle of the country and can’t make it to the coast. This music recording studio has serviced many top music and film clients and still offers an in-house manager and producer. For those on the East Coast, MetroSonic Recording Studios in New York offers everything from pre-production to final mixing. In the South, Nashville's Eckert Labs is a full service studio for music production that will work with you on custom projects.

Scout music trade schools for budding engineers and digital recording facilities

Most music groups and indie film producers don't have the budget for a big name luxury studio, or even a mid-level; one. But with the proliferation of music and recording trade schools and small recording studios, there's a music recording facility to fit every pocketbook and project.

I recommend: Check out articles and ads for new and smaller record producers and fledging recording studios. Read Mixonline.com, the industry’s foremost site with news about recording studios and producers. Also check on alumni from schools such as Full Sail, whose schools have produced many successful owners of music recording studios.

Look into music production facilities that offer the gear you need

Depending on your project, you may need separate recording booths for instruments and singers or a large area for a quartet or brass or horn section. Or, you may have a much smaller recording project and only need digital recording facilities. By familiarizing yourself ahead of time with music recording studio equipment, you'll be better able to make the right choice for your project.

I recommend: Browse through the gear or equipment pages of perspective recording studios. Try looking for equipment at studios like Electrokitty in Seattle or at a smaller studio like Echo Echo in Missouri. If you want a big, warm analog sound, look for studios that have an SSL or Neve console. If you need quick digital fix, most small digital recording facilities offer a computer workstation with ProTools, Cakewalk or other recording programs, plus an MIDI interface and assorted microphones and monitors to provide modern sound.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always keep abreast of the latest music news by reading daily music websites and magazines from Rolling Stone to Variety and Billboard. Since theses sites are updated at least once a day you'll get the latest recording studio information.

Sure, lots of people dream of working in a recording studio, but many never achieve that dream—because they don't seek out music recording studios education and training. Competition is fierce in the recording world, and only the most accomplished in the field become well-paid professionals. Although it's never a bad idea to gain as much studio experience as you can through volunteer and amateur work, nothing replaces formal study in a modern recording studio.

As you research recording studio information, bear in mind there are many types of careers in the field, and some schools are better equipped to prepare you for certain jobs than others. Consider these question:

1. Do you want to be an audio engineer in a music production studio?

2. Would you prefer to be a music producer in a music recording studio?

3. Is there another job in a music recording facility that better suits you?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn to be an audio engineer in a music production studio

When you think 'recording studio career,' you probably first imagine an audio engineer. Audio engineers produce and manipulate sound, either in digital recording facilities or through mechanical devices. Engineers are the heart of the recording process and must understand current equipment, in addition to the science of sound. Engineers record, edit, manipulate and mix the sound.

I recommend: The Recording Connection allows students to study the art and science of becoming an audio engineer with pros in a recording studio. ZDT Entertainment Network also allows students to learn inside a studio environment.

Become a music producer for music recording studios

Music producers sometimes have the same skills as recording engineers, but their job is to actually be in charge of the recording session, coach the musicians, deal with budgeting and scheduling issues and oversee the mixing processes. Music producers are usually also in charge of shaping albums artistically. Music producers, then, need not only technical knowledge but vision and a strong ability to work with and organize people.

I recommend: Pyramind offers training and certification for music production, and The Los Angeles Recording School teaches music production with a hands-on, in-the-studio approach.

Learn about other jobs in music production studios

When seeking information about recording studios, don't forget to research other jobs in the recording industry. Although you might not consider them quite as glamorous, they are often easier to break into. Such jobs include being a studio manager (who runs the business side of the studio) and mastering engineer (who puts the final mixed product on CD).

I recommend: The Art Institutes International offer training in nearly every type of studio career, including mastering. Full Sail University also offers an extensive program.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Almost every job in recording studios requires extensive music knowledge. To help prepare for your career--or to make yourself a better professional--listen to and learn to play as many different instruments and types of music as possible.