Don't scrape. Cheapest way is to hire a plasterer/painter to skim coat the ceiling with a plaster/ joint compound mix over the popcorn. Allow the now smooth surface to dry and paint it. It takes a skilled skim coater to do ceilings, though.
Panels on the ceiling
I'm going to cover the popcorn ceiling in my music room. Any ideas for 12x12 or 24x24 acoustic panels to cover the intire ceilin and where to get them? Then should I also be putting something on the ceiling for reflection in front of the speakers? Room is 14x24x8. I already have some treatment on the walls. Carpet on the concrete floor. No padding. Room already sounds good. Just want to cover the popcorn without affecting sound quality. Maybe improve it. Thanks. Don't know where I should place this question. There isn't a spot for room treatments.