When looking at recording studios in Melbourne, one of the biggest questions musicians ask is: why do some studios cost so much more than others? The answer often comes down to three things: experience, expertise, and equipment.
In particular, the equipment a music studio invests in has a direct effect on its pricing. A studio that provides world-class microphones, analogue preamps, and properly treated recording spaces has made a significant investment into both sound quality and reliability. That investment naturally comes with a higher session cost—but also with higher results.
High-End Gear vs. Home Studio Tools
Take microphones, for example. A professional studio microphone like the Neumann U87 Ai is often referred to as a “hero mic” in the industry. It’s one of the most trusted microphones for capturing vocals at a commercial level, used in countless chart-topping recordings. Compare that to a more common home studio microphone such as the RØDE NTK—a solid mic for demos, but not in the same league of tonal balance, depth, or flexibility.
The cost difference is huge. A Neumann U87 Ai alone can set a studio back several thousand dollars, and that’s before adding the preamps, compressors, and converters that complete the chain. Multiply this across a full collection of microphones, Class-A preamps, mixing consoles, and acoustic treatment, and you can see how the price of booking a professional studio starts to make sense.
Maintenance and Expertise
It’s not just about buying expensive gear—it’s about keeping it in perfect working order. High-end analogue equipment requires:
- Regular maintenance and servicing (which can be costly).
- Specialised knowledge to use it properly.
- Skill to capture the full potential of the sound.
For example, replacing components in an Avalon preamp or keeping a vintage compressor running isn’t something you can do with a quick fix—it requires trained engineers and access to rare, expensive parts. This means when you book a recording studio in Melbourne like Moreish Studios, you’re not just paying for access to the equipment itself—you’re also paying for the know-how that makes that equipment shine.
Why Equipment Affects the Price
Think of it this way: the microphone chain used just to record your vocals could easily be worth upwards of $10,000. And that’s only one part of the process—before factoring in drum kits, guitars, amps, or the mixing and mastering setup.
When you book time in a professional music studio, you’re paying for:
- Experience – Years of working with artists in different genres.
- Expertise – The knowledge of how to use and maintain high-end gear.
- Equipment – Access to microphones, preamps, consoles, and rooms you simply won’t find in a bedroom setup.
Together, these three E’s are what separate a professional studio session from a basic home recording.
Why Choose Moreish Studios?
At Moreish Studios, we’ve invested heavily in both our equipment collection and our creative space. From microphones like the Neumann U87 Ai to a wide selection of analogue preamps and compressors, we ensure that your recordings are captured with clarity, depth, and the warmth that only professional hardware can deliver.
We also maintain a spacious live room for band tracking, as well as flexible setups for solo artists and vocal recording. This combination of equipment and space means your project gets the quality it deserves—whether it’s a single, an album, or a demo with serious polish.
Yes, this level of service comes at a higher cost than a basic recording setup. But if your music matters, it deserves to be captured with the same tools used by industry professionals.
👉 Ready to record? Explore our Melbourne Recording Studio and see how our equipment, expertise, and experience can bring your music to life.
Final Thoughts
Does the equipment a recording studio has affect the price? Absolutely. The more professional the gear, the more investment required to own, maintain, and master it—and the better the results you’ll hear in your music.
When you step into a studio like Moreish Studios, you’re not just renting a room—you’re gaining access to decades of experience, a collection of world-class equipment, and the knowledge that every take will be captured with the best tools available.
External Resources
- Perfect Circuit: Microphone Types Explained. – An in-depth look at microphones.
- Production Expert: 5 Reasons Why Pros Still Use Analogue Gear – Exploring why professional studios still invest in expensive analogue equipment.