Budget

• The initial purchasing of equipment will be your biggest expense. Supplemental pieces of equipment and higher quality pieces can be added once your studio begins to generate income. Setting up the room with furniture and acoustic treatment (rugs, thick drapes, bass traps and sound absorbing panels) will also be an initial expense. Your budget must also include advertising, which will be necessary to kick-start the business.
  
  

Equipment

• Most professional recordings today are done using digital audio workstation (DAW) software running on computers. To be compatible with other professionals in the recording industry, your home recording facility should be based around one of the popular DAW programs such as Logic Studio, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, or MOTU Digital Performer. Compatibility is important because some clients may want you to do the recording but have another facility perform the mixing or mastering. Talk with local musicians and others in the field of recording and discuss their experiences with various pieces of recording equipment and their use, including microphones, computer software and musical instruments.
  
  

Education

• People who have hobbies can become very knowledgeable about their craft, but taking the step to convert a hobby to a professional business requires a thorough understanding of the equipment, how to use it and to become proficient at it. You will working for musicians and producers who will expect a good value for their money. If feel you need more training, find a local mentor, purchase books on recording techniques from local music stores, or look into online classes such as those from The Audio Institute of America, Musician University, the prestigious Berklee School of Music, and others (See Resources). There's no substitute for hands-on experience; begin by recording some of your musical friends and family members for practice.
  
  

Marketing

• Have a graphics company or advertising agency make you a professional-looking brochure telling about your service. Take these brochures to local music stores. Send them to private music instructors and school music teachers, and meet them in person. Let local television and radio stations know of your services. If you have musical ability, you can also offer to create radio ads for businesses. You can network with business owners at chamber of commerce and other local business organization events.