A guy I've known for a number of years has his own recording studio now. Let me explain...
He and I are both 16, juniors in high school. We met in 5th grade because of a similar interest in piano. I'm a classical player and hope to pursue it for a career, but he is a phenomenal jazz player. He deserves every bit of respect and popularity he gets for this-throw whatever chord changes you want at him, he can improvise all over it.
Anywho, we both also have an interest in modern pop/rock song-writing. We've both been writing a lot of piano-driven stuff lately, and were always hoping to find bands for ourselves and/or get the chance to record a bunch of the stuff ourselves (we both also play numerous instruments, so, we could cover it all). It was kind of like a distant dream, giving the financial issues of purchasing equipment, studio time, etc.\
So, I'm over at his house last week. I wander into his basement for the first time in a year or so, and wow!. The whole basement is covered in equipment, cords, etc. He's got 4 synthesizers, guitars, basses, amps, PA system, mixers, drum kits w/ drum mics AND a drum machine, microphones galore, studio monitors and headphones, computers, software, burners, the whole works. There is NOTHING missing-it's like walking into a professional studio. He has been recording and mixing his stuff for the past few months, and made a couple of wonderfully put-together CD's.
Of course, I ask the question: "Man, not to be rude, but how in the world could you possibly afford all this?" He replies "my dad bought it all for me. Y'know, this is just the stuff you need if you want to take it to the next level." Yeah, I think, but most people get rich off their music first and then buy the studio equipment for themselves.
I'm amazed that his dad was even able to afford all this equipment-it literally has to be upwards of $35,000 at least together. I know, because I've been scoping out all these things in catalogs, etc for the past couple years.
So, as you might imagine, I'm insanely jealous. Granted, about 6 months ago his mother passed away. As crude as this may sound, I can understand that that is one less person with living expenses, so they (his dad and himself) probably have a bit more money than they once did. I almost wonder though, if perhaps all this stuff might be a material attempt at the dad helping his son cope, or something.
Anyway, I know everyone here is gonna say: "Hey, you two are friends, why don't you just ask to borrow his studio for awhile and record your stuff there?" Well, see, we're really not all that close. We get alone well enough, but we've certainly hit our fair share of bumps in the road. Seeing as this is no mystery to either of us, I think it would be pretty rotten of me to ask to use his stuff.
Oh well, just needed to kinda vent some of my thoughts out there...thanks for listening...
He and I are both 16, juniors in high school. We met in 5th grade because of a similar interest in piano. I'm a classical player and hope to pursue it for a career, but he is a phenomenal jazz player. He deserves every bit of respect and popularity he gets for this-throw whatever chord changes you want at him, he can improvise all over it.
Anywho, we both also have an interest in modern pop/rock song-writing. We've both been writing a lot of piano-driven stuff lately, and were always hoping to find bands for ourselves and/or get the chance to record a bunch of the stuff ourselves (we both also play numerous instruments, so, we could cover it all). It was kind of like a distant dream, giving the financial issues of purchasing equipment, studio time, etc.\
So, I'm over at his house last week. I wander into his basement for the first time in a year or so, and wow!. The whole basement is covered in equipment, cords, etc. He's got 4 synthesizers, guitars, basses, amps, PA system, mixers, drum kits w/ drum mics AND a drum machine, microphones galore, studio monitors and headphones, computers, software, burners, the whole works. There is NOTHING missing-it's like walking into a professional studio. He has been recording and mixing his stuff for the past few months, and made a couple of wonderfully put-together CD's.
Of course, I ask the question: "Man, not to be rude, but how in the world could you possibly afford all this?" He replies "my dad bought it all for me. Y'know, this is just the stuff you need if you want to take it to the next level." Yeah, I think, but most people get rich off their music first and then buy the studio equipment for themselves.
So, as you might imagine, I'm insanely jealous. Granted, about 6 months ago his mother passed away. As crude as this may sound, I can understand that that is one less person with living expenses, so they (his dad and himself) probably have a bit more money than they once did. I almost wonder though, if perhaps all this stuff might be a material attempt at the dad helping his son cope, or something.
Anyway, I know everyone here is gonna say: "Hey, you two are friends, why don't you just ask to borrow his studio for awhile and record your stuff there?" Well, see, we're really not all that close. We get alone well enough, but we've certainly hit our fair share of bumps in the road. Seeing as this is no mystery to either of us, I think it would be pretty rotten of me to ask to use his stuff.
Oh well, just needed to kinda vent some of my thoughts out there...thanks for listening...