Quote:
Originally posted by RichT
Hi Messiah,
Just a couple of things to add to the melting pot.
Someone mentioned an alternative method of income to the studio ticking over - three words:
Rehearsals, Gear Hire (for use on premises only) and Consumables (Sticks, Strings, etc)
Ok, four words...
It's easy money and great advertising for your recording services.
We would barely survive without it - we have a minimum of two bands a day rehearsing, on weekends we have 8 bands a day. Brings in about 3k-4k a month which covers our outgoings, recording is then all 'profit' (yeah right hahahahah)
Of course it will depend on the availability of rehearsal rooms in your area but normally bands are jumping over each other to get into a rehearsal space.
On average a good month here is:
10 days recording
432 hrs of rehearsals
10 days doesn't sound like much but as I'm the only engineer and I'm concentrating on quality rather than quantity I tend to spread bands bookings out rather than pack them in.
Cheers,
Rich |
Hi Rich,
You've hit the nail on the head and this is what I'm currently looking into.
I have the potential to firstly set up a rehearsal facility containing 10-15 rooms kitted out with a PA, mics, etc...
I've been doing the maths
and I see this as the way forward.
So, now, my plan is to set this up first, get it up and running for 6-12 months and then use the income to subsidise/finance the recording facility, which will be located nearby, close enough to have the custom of these bands.
It's got me quite busy both physically and mentally at the moment! Hey, I'm even working today and it's my birthday!!! (...not that I'm one for celebrating the fact)
As I have a good amount of space, I'm also going to set up a cafe/lounge area, and, more importantly to me, a 'showcase room'. The latter, I'm hoping, will house a 5-10k rig, full backline, a stage, lighting rig, etc, and I will put some groovy furniture, coffee machines, etc.., for entertaining.
The idea is to set up a monthly showcase for local artists/bands and get industry people in for presentations/feedback/promo. As well as it being used for this monthly arrangement, bands could hire it out for private showcases/pre-tour productions, etc... I think it would make sense financially.
I know a lot of bands in the area and I know I can price competitively against other facilities.
I'm beginning to get excited at the prospect of being able to endulge more in the studio in the long term if I can get this right first.
Again, thanks for all the responses!
My thought process has changed considerably since I first posted the thread, which I'm very grateful for.
Some really good advise...I mean advice.
