Are Large Commercial Studios Still Viable in 2024?

Remember when you had to book studio time to record anything half-decent? Yeah, those days are long gone.

When I was working for a company called Touch plc selling Lycos and Ask Jeeves online advertising, I used to save up loads of my commission and blow it all on studio time with my band, then upload whatever we came up with onto our Myspace page. Good times!

Now, any kid with a laptop can crank out a chart-topper from their bedroom. So, what's the deal with commercial studios in 2024? Are they dinosaurs waiting for the meteor, or is there still some life in those old bones?

Here's the point: They're not dead. Not even close. But they've had to change their tune.

Look, we all know technology's democratised music production. It's awesome. It's led to some killer tracks that would've never seen the light of day otherwise. But here's the thing - commercial studios aren't just about the gear anymore.

So what are they selling? Experience, baby. And I'm not talking about the "I once did shots with a rockstar" kind of experience (though that might happen too).

I'm talking about:

1. The collab factor: There's magic when musicians jam together in the same room. You can't replicate that vibe on Zoom.
2. The mentor effect: Imagine having a producer who's worked with your idols giving you tips. That's gold.
3. The headspace shift: Ever notice how you feel different when you step into a real office vs. working from your couch? Same deal with studios.
4. The tribe vibe: Studios can be like watering holes for creative types. You never know who you'll meet or what'll spark.
5. The fancy toys: Sure, your home setup is neat, but have you ever played a vintage Moog or sung into a mic that costs more than your car?

The studios crushing it in 2024 aren't just renting out rooms. They're like creative gyms, offering everything from song-writing boot camps to distribution deals.

Is it a cakewalk? Hell no. The market's shrunk, competition's fierce, and margins are tighter than skinny jeans on a rock star.

But for studios that get it - that understand they're in the business of making musical dreams come true, not just providing a space to record - there's still a path forward.

It's not about selling studio time anymore. It's about selling transformation. Because, let's face it, that's what every artist is after. They don't want to rent a room. They want to create something that'll blow people's minds.

And sometimes, you need a little more than your bedroom to make that happen.

Rich Steve Beck is a UK-based Mastering Engineer and owner of Not Just a Plugin studio. He's a member of the Music Producers Guild and Produce Like a Pro. Beck holds qualifications as an Insurance Broker and Mortgage Adviser, bringing financial acumen to his music industry work.

Rich conducts university lectures on music industry networking and maintains a music business blog. He founded "Produce, Mix, Fix and Conquer," a Facebook group with 4,000 professional audio engineers and producers.

His interview experience includes over 15,000 public interactions from his finance career and conversations with more than 40 Grammy-winning and multi-platinum selling audio engineers.

Beck is married (to his wife, who he lovingly refers to as "The Boss"), with two children and has a cat named Luna who loves climbing onto his studio gear!