So you’ve finally moved into an apartment or house that has enough space for a home studio. Whether it’s a spare bedroom, cellar, basement or shed out in the yard, things are going to get exciting very soon. A home studio means you can unleash your creative genius whenever it comes calling – no need to wait until you get to the studio downtown.

A music recording space needs to fulfill a whole lot of criteria; as well as being a stimulating creative space; it needs to work on a practical level.

Keep it to yourself

You don’t want to annoy your family, housemates or neighbors with loud music, so soundproofing is essential. Using materials that soften and absorb sound limits audio spill outside the studio. Fix acoustic mineral wool to walls and cover with fabric, quilting or even carpeting. In the old days, low-tech solutions such as cardboard egg boxes effectively broke up the sound waves and deadened noise – you could also try studio foam to disperse sound. If you have a decent budget then check out studio-build suppliers who will have a range of acoustic panels, bass traps and diffusers to create the best sound environment and soundproof the space.

Basement studios are ideal because there are no neighbors below. If your studio is above other rooms, lay thick underfelt and carpet on the floor. In classic recording studios, wooden surfaces have always been coveted for their great properties in promoting a warm and earthy sound. If you want happy ears, get as much wood in the studio as you can. From a paneled wooden ceiling, wooden monitor stands and sound desk to wooden shutters to help reduce noise, invest heavily in this music-friendly natural material. CONTINUE READING

Buzz Track: Heart Attack

A Kings favorite Colour of London will perform tonight at the Delancey in NYC (October 21st). The band released a new track “Heart Attack“. Colour of London is a pop/rock duo from Nashville, TN. They spent 2013-2014 recording their debut EP and building a fan base through heavy touring. In addition, they have partnered with lifestyle brand, Alex and Ani, who feature their music in commercials and stores around the globe. Colour of London is Kings of A&R latest band to watch.
Contact: colouroflondonmusic@gmail.com

Buzz Track: The Art Of Hanging On

Sneakout is a four-piece LA indie band are building a buzz. The song “The Art Of Hanging On” has been voted #1 on KROQ Los Angeles “Locals Only” show three weeks in a row. The ‘Letting Go’ mixtape has been a Top 10 Alternative Specialty Album for two weeks straight, with spins on L.A. stations including KROQ, KCRW, KCSN, KYSR, among others. Press includes Nylon, Magnet, Vibe, Buzzbands.LA and more. Sneakout is an artist to watch.
Contact: mikesavage123@gmail.com

Two bands to watch including Night Riots & Step Rockets will perform at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn this Monday on October 20th.

Night Riots has been building a buzz receiving love from critics including MTV, FUSE, Huffington Post, All Things Go, NYLON, AV Club, Rolling Stone, Filter + more. Their new single “Contagious” can be heard here.
Contact: amber@bigpicturemediaonline.com

Step Rockets who we featured as a top 8 emerging artist continue to build momentum after creating much noise with the song Kisser which hit #1 on Hype Machine and with over 700,000 Soundcloud streams. Their new single “Heart Attack” can he streamed here.
Contact: brady@steprockets.com

Buzz Track: Magnesium Dream

Portland alternative act Rags & Ribbons has become a Kings favorite. They play melodic rock anthems driven by classically-inspired piano. Progressive and post-rock influences by way of Queen, Muse, MEW and Sigur Ros color these intricate pop songs, expressing desire, yearning, regret and joy like only pop can. For this relatively new band they scored a big win opening for the successful Alex Care US tour. This is a band to watch.
Contact: ragsandribbonsmusic@gmail.com