The answers are all in the recording studios, which are making valiant efforts, orchestrating the compilation. The city contains a number of such studios like Art of Noise, Sound Garden, Music Man, Studio Bass and others.

It begins from setting up of standard equipment with wide-ranging preliminary cost. Art of Noise, the leading institution spent Tk. 60 lakhs approximately while Studio Bass had a 10-lakh setup. Another leading studio Sound Garden, operated by Mobin and Durey--two popular names in band music, started functioning in 1994 providing numerous knockout records to the music industry.

Durey emphasises on sound mathematical knowledge with good sense of music to comprehend sound frequency as a sequence to becoming competent sound engineer. He adds the need for institution to learn the subject better, which is mandatory to master the album mixing.

The duo work in 3 half shifts per day, each of 4-hour duration, charging Tk. 2000.00 each half shift. Being one of the most popular recording venues, their slots remain booked throughout the week with rare exceptions.

The upcoming Studio Bass is a computer based fully digital recording studio. Shumon of Aurthohin confirmed of unlimited track recording facilities. Commencing in 1998, they also charge the same as Sound Garden. Though their objective was to record their own songs, now they are open to few upcoming 'under ground' bands for promotional purpose. 'Within limited resources, we are quite happy, although the guitar riff tones from the studios needs to improve,' Shumon concludes.

Masud, the chief recordist for Art of Noise, reveals the understanding of electronics as essential to work along with sound. He considers being a proper musician with qualities to interact as recipe to success for sound engineers.

Inaugurated in 1999, the studio is equipped with Pro Tools as hard drive recorders along with 64-track recording capacity. They record any form of audio starting from musical albums, background scores up to movie themes. 'Amateur musicians coming here are privileged over the professionals as their concept needs to be cleared,' continues Masud. Charges here are hourly based, Tk. 600.00.

About the present technological scenario of recording, Masud affirms the industry to be 50 years behind the international standard. These recordists and mixers consider lack of quality equipment as the main deficiency. An A-class mixing console is the most important part of studio recording priced at Tk. 20 lakhs. This is the missing part of the puzzle in Bangladesh and that is why recording standard is not mounting.

According to Shumon, 'Even if standard equipments were brought, would the bands agree to pay Tk. 25,000.00 per half shift to increase quality when there is abundance of studios offering 12 times less of that price?'