About Austin
Living life to the quirky motto, “Keep Austin Weird,” the capital of Texas is a vibrant city that’s synonymous with live music. It’s home to the University of Texas's flagship campus and a range of eclectic neighborhoods, which are rapidly gaining a reputation for their outstanding culinary scenes.
Aside from the SXSW festival that takes place each year, Austin hosts an abundance of live music shows throughout the calendar months. It’s a buzzing destination to plan a recording session, with plenty of venues and sound professionals to make it happen.
Recording Studio Options in Austin
When you’re looking for a recording studio space in Austin, you’re not confined to purpose-built venues. You can also utilize private residences and industrial warehouses, as well as atmospheric church buildings.
- Homes
From stunning cliffside homes to contemporary farmhouses, you can find recording studio residences in Austin to meet your needs. There’s plenty of diversity in terms of architectural styles and facilities, ensuring you can find the space of your dreams.
- Warehouses
Serving as a blank canvas, Austin’s warehouses offer an industrial-style setting for hosting your recording session. You can outfit them just the way you want to achieve the aesthetics and acoustics you desire.
- Studios
A purpose-built recording studio is the most obvious choice when it comes to booking your session, and Austin has several to choose from. Most come with all the sound and audio gear you need, so you can just turn up and record.
- Meeting Spaces
Compact and often sound-proof, meeting rooms can easily be transformed into suitable recording studio spaces in Austin.
- Churches
With unique acoustics, churches are another option for hosting your recording studio and often boast stunning interiors to inspire your creativity.
Production Companies in Austin
Need help making your recording session a reality? You can hire the services of one of Austin’s sound engineers or production companies to ensure the end result is what you envision.
- Recording Connection Audio Institute
If you’re looking for up-and-coming sound engineers, look no further than this audio institute, where students learn through one-on-one sessions with leading producers. They’re up-to-date on all the latest technology and trends, with real-world experience working in recording studios.
- Texas Pro Sound
This Austin sound production and lighting company has been serving the central Texas area since 2014. They provide sound production for a wide range of music festivals and events, with fully-digital services and all the gear for a plug-and-play setup.
- Mohawk Audio
Led by head mixing engineer Wil Vandiver, Mohawk Audio has over 15 years of experience mixing, playing, and writing music. He’s not only a highly skilled producer and mixer but an effective communicator with an ear for detail.
Pros and Cons of Recording in Austin
As a major hub for live music, there are plenty of advantages to finding a recording studio space in Austin. But with incredibly hot summers and notorious traffic, there are a few drawbacks to keep in mind.
Advantages
- The music scene
Austin has a reputation as one of the United States’ most vibrant cities for live music, with festivals and shows held here throughout the year.
- Experienced professionals
With so much live music in Austin, the city has an abundance of sound engineers and behind-the-scenes crew with extensive experience in the industry.
- Diverse population
The city’s cultural diversity is only increasing, meaning you can find musicians from all walks of life and with experience in a wide range of musical genres.
- Variety of recording spaces
Aside from purpose-built recording studios, you can also rent contemporary homes and creative warehouse spaces in Austin to host your recording session.
- Favorable weather
Austin experiences around 300 sunny days each year, making it an appealing destination to visit and work in, even during the cooler months.
Disadvantages
- Traffic is terrible
While the city’s public transport network is improving, Austin is predominantly a car city, and most locals self-drive to get around. This has led to significant traffic issues, particularly in the city center around the daily rush hours.
- Property prices are high
Compared to many other Texan cities, Austin’s property prices are relatively high, so you may end up paying more for a recording studio in Austin than you would elsewhere.
- Summers can be scorching
While winter temperatures are generally pleasant, Austin summers can be scorchingly hot, and finding somewhere with good air-conditioning is a “must” if you plan on hosting your recording session during these months.
- Bugs that bite
Austin has a reputation for an abundance of bugs and mosquitoes at certain times of the year, so be sure to bring your repellant if you plan on being outside in the evenings.
- It’s easy to overspend on eating
Austin has so many great places to eat, which is a plus in many ways. But it also means that you can easily spend a lot more on dining than you may have intended.
Famous Music Locations in Austin
- Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
Adjacent to Zilker Park, this stunning museum celebrates the work of American sculptor Charles Umlauf. In addition to its regularly changing exhibitions, it hosts themed activities, live music events, and yoga classes in its art-dotted gardens throughout the year.
- The Broken Spoke
For a taste of Austin’s live music history, be sure to visit the Broken Spoke, a traditional bar that dubs itself as the “last of the true Texas dance halls.” It hosts live music evenings throughout the week, as well as dance classes where you can learn a few classic country steps.
- Antone’s Nightclub
Established in 1975 by Clifford Antone, this iconic blues venue has played host to the likes of B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Ray Charles. It has served as a launching point for the careers of local talents like Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as Bob Schneider and Gary Clark Jr.
