Importantly, it’s who you work with, rather than where you work. Music is a people-thing.

Yes, there are times you need total sound isolation, and certainly there are times you need someone who knows their mics from their pre amps. If that’s the case, then help keep your local studio in business and use them. Or use them and arm your ears.

The ideal scenario is, you find someone you love working with, in a nice studio, attend the mixing, and, if you can, attend the mastering session, too. If funds are tight, or you need some perspective, then here we are…..and remember, if you’re not happy, don’t pay.