Home recording and mixing studio
Record, mix and master for local bands, singers and podcasters from a treated room at home.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small studio set up in a spare room, garage or granny flat with a computer, interface, microphones and acoustic treatment. You record local artists and also offer mixing and mastering of tracks recorded elsewhere.
Your first three steps
- Treat one room acoustically and set up a basic recording chain, then record friends to build a demo reel
- Set session and per-song mixing prices after checking local studios' rates
- Share samples on Instagram and local music groups and offer a discounted first session for reviews
Who pays
Solo artists, bands, singer-songwriters, voiceover artists, podcasters and small businesses needing audio.
How it makes money
Hourly or day session fees for recording, plus a fixed price per song for mixing and mastering. Remote mixing jobs can be done without clients visiting.
Skills that help
- Recording and mixing software
- Good ears and patience
- Getting a relaxed performance from nervous artists
Watch out for
- Check with your local council whether a home-based business needs approval, especially with visiting clients
- Noise and neighbours: check noise rules for your area and soundproof as needed
- Public liability insurance and cover for your equipment
- Agree in writing who owns the recordings and what happens with revisions
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: home recording and mixing studio
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a home recording studio?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your computer, interface, microphones and acoustic treatment. Also allow for public liability insurance and cover for your equipment.
Do I need council approval to run a recording studio from home?
Check with your local council whether a home-based business needs approval, especially with visiting clients. Also check noise rules for your area and soundproof as needed, and agree in writing who owns recordings and handles revisions.
How much can a home recording studio earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $3,000, depending on how many artists you record and how much mixing work you take on. The estimates assume at least about 8 hours a week.
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Photo: SplitShire on Pixabay