Inside Studio A: Where the Whole Band Fits and the Magic Take Happens
Inside the Studio · Round Table Recording Company Blog
Studio A is the room we're proudest of, and it's the one people remember after they leave. It's our largest studio, 1,600 square feet in all, and we designed it to have a sound that's uniquely Round Table Recording Company.
The first time people walk into the live room, they usually stop and look up. Then they start asking what we've recorded in there. That's when we know they get it.
What Makes Studio A the Heart of Round Table Recording Company?
We built Studio A around one goal: an acoustic profile and sound signature that you won't hear anywhere else. The room is warm. It makes instruments sound full and natural, and it has plenty of size when the song needs it.
We wanted that sound to work for everything. Drums. Our grand piano. A symphony section. A choir. Rock, hip hop, country, gospel, jazz, and pop. If it makes a sound, this room makes it sound better.
When a song needs to feel big, we put microphones out in the room to capture the whole space around the performance. When it needs to feel close and personal, we keep the mics tight. We use a lot of different room miking approaches in here, and that flexibility is a big part of why the room works for so many styles.
Can Your Whole Band Record Live Together in Studio A?
Absolutely. A lot of bands want to be in the same room, looking at each other, playing the song top to bottom until they catch that magical take. Studio A was built for exactly that.
We also have multiple isolation booths off the main room. Put the guitar amp or the singer in a booth, keep the drums out in the big room, and everybody still plays together in real time. You keep the energy of a live performance, and each part stays clean enough to fix later if you need to.
Studio A is also where we bring in larger groups and session players for our in-house productions and client projects. Strings, horns, a choir, a full rhythm section, this is the room for it.
Why Does Studio A Have Its Own Piano Room?
The piano room is home to our 1973 Yamaha C7 grand piano, and it pulls a lot of weight. Here's what it does.
A tighter room for piano and drums. It's smaller than the main live room, so the sound is more intimate. The C7 shines in there, and it's also a great spot when a drummer wants a tighter, punchier drum sound.
A shared space for Studio B. The piano room connects to Studio B, so a producer working there can record the piano or use any of the live spaces in Studio A without leaving their room.
A living room for the session. Not everybody needs to sit in the control room all day. The piano room gives bandmates, family, and friends a comfortable place to hang out while the work gets done.
A studio within the studio. Pair the piano room with the piano booth, and you've got a second recording setup. A laptop, an interface, and a few mics, and you're ready to go. Record a vocal in the booth while the piano is tracked in the room.
That last one comes in handy more than you'd think. Say a vocalist is laying down a performance in the vocal booth, right in front of the engineer or vocal producer. Meanwhile, another artist has an idea for the next song. They can step into the piano room and get it recorded right then, instead of hoping they remember it later.
How Do Musicians Hear Themselves While Recording in Studio A?
Every musician in Studio A gets their own 16-channel headphone mixer. Each player can turn every instrument up or down in their own headphones, without changing what anybody else hears.
Here's why that matters. Picture a vocalist. If the music in their headphones is too loud, they'll strain to hear themselves. If it's too quiet, the performance can lose energy and sound thin or weak. When they can set the level where it feels right, the performance matches what they actually intended.
When musicians feel good about what they hear, they play and sing their best. We see it every day.
What Is It Like Inside the Studio A Control Room?
With the live rooms positioned to the engineer's right, the control room features a side-address layout looking out through one expansive window. From the desk, you can see every performer in the live room from head to foot.
The room seats 7 to 8 people comfortably, and the producer desk is big enough to spread out your sheet music, lyric sheets, and notes.
There are also inputs right in the control room for recording instruments. If you're a keyboard player, a bass player, or a guitarist using a virtual amp, you can record from the control room. It's a great way to carve out the foundation of a song and have it ready before the session players come in.
At the center of it all is an Audient Heritage Edition console, which works great in both the analog and digital worlds. It's paired with Ocean Way 3.5 main monitors, and they sound incredible. We also have two pairs of nearfield monitors, JBL 705P and Dynaudio LYD48, so you can check your mix on different speakers. But for mixing and mastering, the Ocean Ways are hard to beat. It's a great control room for every phase of the recording process.
Can You Film Your Recording Session in Studio A?
Yes, and it's one of the best reasons to book Studio A. We have an in-house video expert who can capture your session while you record, so you're building content at the same time you're making the music.
That can mean a live recording video of your band playing together in the big room. It can mean a batch of social posts that show your fans what went into the record. Or it can mean a full music video. Studio A has the space and the sight lines to make all of that look as good as it sounds.
If video is part of your plan, tell us when you book. We'll schedule the shoot around your recording time so neither one slows the other down.
What Is There to Do Between Takes and After the Session?
Great memories are made in these rooms, and many happen during breaks. Clients have access to our lounge, which has a 1950s diner setup and other amenities for recharging between takes.
We host a lot of out-of-town artists, and they fall in love with the Broad Ripple community. Art, food, and recreation surround the studio, which adds a lot to the experience. For lodging, we partner with the Broad Ripple Inn, which has great accommodations just a 3-minute walk from the studio. Check out our lodging options to plan your stay.
Why Record in Indianapolis Instead of LA, New York, or Nashville?
Studio A would be right at home in any major music city like LA, New York, or Nashville. Instead, it's in the heart of the Midwest. That means you get Midwest value with big city expertise. More of your budget goes toward the time you need in the room to get the record right.
Come Hear Studio A for Yourself
Studio A is where we do some of our best work, and we'd love to hear what you bring to it. Come take a tour and hear the room for yourself. Book your session today or contact us today to tell us about your project and we'll help you plan a session that fits. We can't wait to make something great with you!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Studio A?
Studio A is the largest studio at Round Table Recording Company, with 1,600 square feet of total space. That includes the main live room, multiple isolation booths, a piano room with its own booth, and a control room that seats 7 to 8 people comfortably.
Can my band record live together in Studio A?
Yes. The main room is built for bands that want to play together, and the isolation booths keep amps or vocals separated so each part stays clean. You get the feel of a live performance with the flexibility to fix parts later.
What grand piano is in Studio A?
Studio A has a 1973 Yamaha C7 grand piano in its own piano room. The smaller room gives the piano a warm, intimate sound, and you can record it from either Studio A or Studio B.
Can I mix and master in Studio A?
Yes. The control room runs on an Audient Heritage Edition console with Ocean Way 3.5 main monitors, plus JBL 705P and Dynaudio LYD48 nearfields for comparison. It's set up for every phase of a project, from tracking to the final master.
Is there lodging near the studio?
Yes. Round Table Recording Company partners with the Broad Ripple Inn, which is a 3-minute walk from the studio. Out-of-town artists can stay close, walk to the session, and enjoy everything Broad Ripple offers.
Where is Studio A located?
Studio A is at Round Table Recording Company, 6345 Carrollton Ave, in the Broad Ripple Arts District of Indianapolis, Indiana. Art, food, and recreation are all within walking distance.
Round Table Recording Company · Indianapolis, Indiana · www.thertrc.com