Inheritance, directed by Neil Burger, was filmed entirely on an iPhone.
I watched the movie without knowing this. The slightly jumpy, erratic nature of some scenes only made it feel more human. The tension was palpable.
Afterward, I remembered an old boss of mine telling me, “One day, everyone will have a camera built into their phone.” That was nearly 30 years ago.
What was once impossibly expensive is now relatively affordable.
The same is true for recording equipment. I’ve often felt a little envious of writers, painters, and photographers, who can create professional work with minimal gear and cost. Meanwhile, musicians traditionally needed expensive studio setups just to showcase their work properly.
Do You Really Need a Studio in 2025?
There’s no doubt that high-end gear in the hands of skilled engineers produces superior recordings. But is it absolutely necessary?
If an experienced sound engineer were given a decent audio interface, a solid microphone, and a laptop running Logic Pro, could they produce a recording that sounds truly professional? Would their peers be able to tell if it was made in a high-end studio or in a bedroom?
Would it be the audio equivalent of Inheritance—a compelling work with only subtle hints that it was made outside a traditional production environment?
And does anyone even care about HiFi vs. LoFi anymore?
But how “Lo” Can You Go?
Ultimately, Inheritance works because its foundation is strong—the story, the acting, and the creative shot choices. Post-production undoubtedly gave it the final polish, but great source material always wins. Even Spielberg agrees.
The same applies to music. A great song and a DAW alone won’t guarantee a great recording. You need to refine your recording and mixing skills. You need to capture the moment. And you need to invest in post-production.
That might mean hiring a professional mixing or mastering engineer. But a high-quality mastering plugin used correctly can also work wonders.
Mastering on a Budget
I’m a big fan of Ozone iZotope—it’s basically AI for your mixes. Used carefully, it can elevate your tracks in ways that were once only possible with professional mastering.
A few things I’ve learned using it:
- Don’t push too hot of a signal—watch that output meter.
- The Master Assistant can instantly fix your EQ, or at least mix tweaks you hadn’t noticed.
- It maximizes your volume for streaming without crushing dynamics.
- The stereo width tool, when used sparingly, adds depth without making your mix sound artificial.
Technology Is a Gift—But It’s Not a Replacement
These advancements are a massive win for independent musicians. No doubt, incredible albums will be made in bedrooms. But at the end of the day, technology will never replace great songwriting and performance.