ABSTRACT
This chapter lays out the fundamental requirements of premises for professional recording purposes, including: common underestimation of need for good isolation; avoidance of disturbance from plant and equipment noises; influence of location on isolation requirements; consideration of artistic needs; control room monitoring basics; types of buildings to avoid; and the need for adequate space and building strength. The general requirements of a studio should be carefully thought about before a location is chosen. In the enthusiasm that often accompanies the idea of building a recording studio, the lack of experience of the people involved often leads to a tendency to fail to realise the need for good sound isolation. Artistic performance can be a fragile thing. Curfews on what can be done in the studio during which hours can be a source of great problems. The lack of ceiling height in the chosen spaces is one of the most common errors made by prospective studio owners when acquiring premises.
