In the late 1980s availability of inexpensive multitrack analog recorders and subsequently, personal computers allowed more and more musicians to build nearly-professional home studios,  with many of the functions of a pro studio- mixing console, processing “plug-ins”, digital editing, etc. - in a PC. Today almost all “demo” tracks and many production albums are recorded in project studios.

Home studios typically combine the professional studio’s control and live rooms, with the artist as engineer and producer. Minimal equipment would include a personal computer, an audio interface, microphone and digital recording software.  Sound quality for live recording in home studios is limited by the acoustical properties of the recording room and effective soundproofing.