Our New Studio Build in Calgary, Canada... Yet another photo thread! - Page 3

Glenn Kuras · 24th September 2007, 07:32 PM

YouTube - How To Build a Home Recording Studio

thought this might help you out.

Matthew Murray · 24th September 2007, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendandwyer

see now i would have guessed you could have taken a case of labatts out on the street corner and rounded up 15 stout canadians and had that place sheathed in an hour :)

Bwahaha.

Matthew Murray · 24th September 2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myfipie

YouTube - How To Build a Home Recording Studio

thought this might help you out.

Bwahaha x2.

Matthew Murray · 24th September 2007, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbell

You know I just might...I'll get back to you.

Hey, thanks, anything you can find let me know.

amishsixstringe · 25th September 2007, 12:30 AM

That looks amazing. I'm extremely jealous at this point in time as I sit in my non air conditioned one room studio with the windows open and fans blowing in attempt to cool this pig down a bit before the next 'talent' gets here.

Neil

Matthew Murray · 14th October 2007, 06:34 AM

Hey all,

Here are some updates. First, some shots of the live room and control room now that all the rockwool is stuffed, and the subfloor is in.

Started work on the wood panelling in the control room ceiling.

Matthew Murray · 14th October 2007, 06:36 AM

Sheetrock starts to arrive....

And we start to install it! Just the control room wall and the iso booth area for now... the big sheetrocking happens on Wednesday once all the 5/8" stuff arrives.

I want this project done. I want to make some bloody music. Egads.

upinflames · 14th October 2007, 06:44 AM

That looks 100% awesome, but 0% fun.

stevep · 14th October 2007, 06:51 AM

Great work !!!!!

keep the pics coming !!!!

stevep · 14th October 2007, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Murray

Bloody 'ell. We're out of steam here. Anyone know any low-cost drywallers in Calgary?

no fair !!!! :)))

.

barryjohns · 14th October 2007, 07:18 AM

Matthew, what kind of budget is the project on if you don't mind me asking?

Is space you are building out owned or leased?

I'm probably 10 years out from being able to really do something like this, but curious at the cost. If you don't want to divulge, I understand.

pan60 · 14th October 2007, 04:15 PM

Farout · 14th October 2007, 08:29 PM

Very, very cool pics, sir!
Looks like y'all are close to the finish line.
Can't wait to see / hear what it is like when complete.
Good luck.

Matthew Murray · 15th October 2007, 12:02 AM

Hey all, thanks so much for all of the great support. It's a nice way to end the day, coming back after working at that place and getting all of these upturned thumbs.

Barry -- regarding our budget ... I can tell you it's shoestring. I mean, relatively shoestring. We're definitely cutting corners, but we feel like we're cutting all of the right ones.

Maybe once we're done and settled I'll offer some kind of breakdown about what we've spent. I can tell you that our gear costs have come in a fair amount under our self-imposed cap of $125,000, and the build-out process (both material and labour) is probably going to come in (hopefully) under $25,000. The build-out budget, I'm pretty sure, is much lower than average, but I don't feel that we're compromising all that much. We're just being clever.

It's a leased space, which is the one sad bit... lots of money just being thrown into this that might be hard to recoup. The lease is in the $1500/month range.

The good news for us is that the lease is really our only ongoing cost. All of the gear is owned and paid for. It's definitely the only way to do it -- we couldn't possibly keep this thing up and running if we had debts to pay on top of all of it!!

Funk Dracula · 15th October 2007, 01:26 AM

Great pics!

jtienhaara · 15th October 2007, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Murray

It's a leased space, which is the one sad bit... lots of money just being thrown into this that might be hard to recoup. The lease is in the $1500/month range.

$1500/month in the Calgary area? That sounds incredibly cheap! You really do know how to cut the right corners!! Buying a space at today's peak real estate prices would be much harder to recoup, you definitely made the right decision.

Good luck with the build and please keep the photos coming Matthew. I would looooove to come see the place sometime when I'm in town in 2008, if you're willing. My dayjob usually brings me to town about once a year. I wish I could make a trip out sooner & offer my humble services as slave labourer for a weekend!

Keep up the great work!

Johann

Matthew Murray · 15th October 2007, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtienhaara

$1500/month in the Calgary area? That sounds incredibly cheap! You really do know how to cut the right corners!! Buying a space at today's peak real estate prices would be much harder to recoup, you definitely made the right decision.

Good luck with the build and please keep the photos coming Matthew. I would looooove to come see the place sometime when I'm in town in 2008, if you're willing. My dayjob usually brings me to town about once a year. I wish I could make a trip out sooner & offer my humble services as slave labourer for a weekend!

Keep up the great work!

Johann

Hey Johann,

I know, we really scored with the rent. It's a three year lease too, which is a nice blend. Not too long, not too short. Landlord is really laid back. Not the best part of town, but off a major route.

Absolutely, once it's done, come by any time, we'd love to show you the finished product....

Farout · 15th October 2007, 12:39 PM

I don't know if this is an option or not, but: it would be sweeeet if you had the ability to do a video tour of the place - once it is done!

Matthew Murray · 15th October 2007, 04:24 PM

Hey Farout, great idea. I'll look at getting something cut together for the website! Thanks for the idea...

Matthew Murray · 16th October 2007, 06:50 PM

Just got back from the studio -- the 5/8" drywall just arrived. Man, that stuff is thick. Thank Jebus we decided to hire a contractor to put that stuff up. There's only so much I can take....

Matthew Murray · 23rd October 2007, 06:39 AM

Almost all the sheetrock boarding is done. Just the tops in the live room left!! What's more, we found a couple of guys who are friends of friends that are willing to mud, tape, AND paint the place for a bottle of fine whiskey.

Sometimes life throws you a bone.

Cosmonauta · 23rd October 2007, 07:53 AM

This is very inspiring!!
Thx for the pics!! Amazing!

Tone Obsessed · 23rd October 2007, 08:59 AM

Good gawd, Man. I hear ya! Nice job.

We started our build out in mid-July and I believe I'm maybe a few weeks ahead of you...

The final coat of mud went up today, and I'm just a few days away from paint and detail work.

The 705 and RPG hemifusors get mounted to the back wall next week along with the doors and zero seals and then it's time for the equipment to roll in!!!!

And I also agree: Took more time and money than we thought. Always does.

Funny, I've said the same thing: When are we gonna make music around here?

Great thread. Kinda weird I'm living it at almost the same time you are almost 2,000 miles away!

Farout · 23rd October 2007, 12:49 PM

That toilet reminds me of something .... oh yeah: I'll be back in a few minutes!

*45 minutes later*

Whew! Had to flush it a couple of times! Don't want to be rude!

Seriously, though: things are looking spectacular! I can not wait to hear the music that is made in this beautiful place! Thanks for sharing the progress with us!

Kris · 23rd October 2007, 01:52 PM

Nice work on the whiskey trade! Nothing worse I can think of than mudding and taping... except maybe painting ceilings.

Tone Obsessed · 23rd October 2007, 10:51 PM

Nope, drywall mud is worse! Besides, paint means you're almost done!

ickefes · 23rd October 2007, 11:42 PM

I am seriously very jealous of you guys that have the money/luck/courage or whatever it takes to make your own real recording studio. I will keep an eye on this thread because it makes me dream and that dream creates a tranquillity of mine.

Best Regards
Rickard Gerthsson

Matthew Murray · 23rd October 2007, 11:57 PM

Money, luck, or courage had nothing to do with it. It was merely a combination of credit cards and stupidity

We actually did save a lot of money for this project, which is what I suggest to anyone who would undertake this. Nobody wants debt when they run a low profit business like a recording studio.

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. Jeff and I really appreciate the eggin' on.

pootkao · 24th October 2007, 12:13 AM

This is a great thread! Nice to see some other Canadian prairieboys make a go of it.

How's the recording business in Calgary these days? You've had a good collection of bands coming out there for a few years now... Broken City has helped build the scene it seems. I saw Hot Little Rocket again a couple months ago... love those guys.

Farout · 24th October 2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Murray

Nobody wants debt when they run a low profit business like a recording studio.

I am considering this as my new signature!
Words of wisdom!!

24th September 2007, 07:32 PM	#61
Glenn Kuras Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,953	YouTube - How To Build a Home Recording Studio thought this might help you out. __________________ Glenn Kuras - GIK Acoustics www.GIKAcoustics.com GIK Is Now Offering Room Kits

25th September 2007, 12:30 AM	#65
amishsixstringe Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 341	That looks amazing. I'm extremely jealous at this point in time as I sit in my non air conditioned one room studio with the windows open and fans blowing in attempt to cool this pig down a bit before the next 'talent' gets here. Neil __________________ "I put my pants on the same way as everyone else. One leg at a time. But, when my pants are on I make gold records. Now give me some more cowbell." www.myspace.com/amishelectricchair PUNK ROCK

14th October 2007, 06:34 AM	#66
Matthew Murray Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 1,401	More! Hey all, Here are some updates. First, some shots of the live room and control room now that all the rockwool is stuffed, and the subfloor is in. Started work on the wood panelling in the control room ceiling. __________________ -Matthew

14th October 2007, 06:36 AM	#67
Matthew Murray Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 1,401	Sheetrock starts to arrive.... And we start to install it! Just the control room wall and the iso booth area for now... the big sheetrocking happens on Wednesday once all the 5/8" stuff arrives. I want this project done. I want to make some bloody music. Egads. __________________ -Matthew

14th October 2007, 06:44 AM	#68
upinflames Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 639	That looks 100% awesome, but 0% fun. __________________ The Studio is moving and tracking starts on two albums next week!

14th October 2007, 06:51 AM	#69
stevep Lives for Jesus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: orange county ca. Posts: 2,938	Great work !!!!! keep the pics coming !!!! __________________ Steve Perkins Creation Recording Studios .com Take a Kid Fishing Outreach John 3:16

14th October 2007, 07:18 AM	#71
barryjohns Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,903	Matthew, what kind of budget is the project on if you don't mind me asking? Is space you are building out owned or leased? I'm probably 10 years out from being able to really do something like this, but curious at the cost. If you don't want to divulge, I understand. __________________ My hope is we will be able to debate our passion, vice argue a subjective point. Oh, if you ever want to talk about Jesus, PM me

14th October 2007, 04:15 PM	#72
pan60 500 series nutjob Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: 500 series Guru land ; ) Posts: 5,416	__________________ www.pan60.com it is easy to sound as though one was endowed with great intelligence, whilst speaking amongst a crowd of total morons quote: The Hammer is like sonic crack. I'm actually afraid to use it for tracking Brad McGowan quote: Watch it Goatee boy.... not_so_new quote: your secret identity is safe with me superman! Peter Montessi

14th October 2007, 08:29 PM	#73
Farout Gear maniac Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, La Posts: 253	Very, very cool pics, sir! Looks like y'all are close to the finish line. Can't wait to see / hear what it is like when complete. Good luck.

15th October 2007, 12:02 AM	#74
Matthew Murray Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 1,401	Hey all, thanks so much for all of the great support. It's a nice way to end the day, coming back after working at that place and getting all of these upturned thumbs. Barry -- regarding our budget ... I can tell you it's shoestring. I mean, relatively shoestring. We're definitely cutting corners, but we feel like we're cutting all of the right ones. Maybe once we're done and settled I'll offer some kind of breakdown about what we've spent. I can tell you that our gear costs have come in a fair amount under our self-imposed cap of $125,000, and the build-out process (both material and labour) is probably going to come in (hopefully) under $25,000. The build-out budget, I'm pretty sure, is much lower than average, but I don't feel that we're compromising all that much. We're just being clever. It's a leased space, which is the one sad bit... lots of money just being thrown into this that might be hard to recoup. The lease is in the $1500/month range. The good news for us is that the lease is really our only ongoing cost. All of the gear is owned and paid for. It's definitely the only way to do it -- we couldn't possibly keep this thing up and running if we had debts to pay on top of all of it!! __________________ -Matthew

15th October 2007, 01:26 AM	#75
Funk Dracula Gear maniac Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 192	Great pics! __________________ "music is the best" - Frank Zappa

15th October 2007, 12:39 PM	#78
Farout Gear maniac Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, La Posts: 253	I don't know if this is an option or not, but: it would be *sweeeet* if you had the ability to do a video tour of the place - once it is done!

15th October 2007, 04:24 PM	#79
Matthew Murray Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 1,401	Hey Farout, great idea. I'll look at getting something cut together for the website! Thanks for the idea... __________________ -Matthew

16th October 2007, 06:50 PM	#80
Matthew Murray Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 1,401	Just got back from the studio -- the 5/8" drywall just arrived. Man, that stuff is thick. Thank Jebus we decided to hire a contractor to put that stuff up. There's only so much I can take.... __________________ -Matthew

23rd October 2007, 06:39 AM	#81
Matthew Murray Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 1,401	Sheetrock goin' up! Almost all the sheetrock boarding is done. Just the tops in the live room left!! What's more, we found a couple of guys who are friends of friends that are willing to mud, tape, AND paint the place for a bottle of fine whiskey. Sometimes life throws you a bone. __________________ -Matthew

23rd October 2007, 07:53 AM	#82
Cosmonauta Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bongo Land Posts: 483	This is very inspiring!! Thx for the pics!! Amazing! __________________ Cosmonauta (sorry for my english)

23rd October 2007, 08:59 AM	#83
Tone Obsessed Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mid-Atlantic Posts: 218	Good gawd, Man. I hear ya! Nice job. We started our build out in mid-July and I believe I'm maybe a few weeks ahead of you... The final coat of mud went up today, and I'm just a few days away from paint and detail work. The 705 and RPG hemifusors get mounted to the back wall next week along with the doors and zero seals and then it's time for the equipment to roll in!!!! And I also agree: Took more time and money than we thought. Always does. Funny, I've said the same thing: When are we gonna make music around here? Great thread. Kinda weird I'm living it at almost the same time you are almost 2,000 miles away!

23rd October 2007, 12:49 PM	#84
Farout Gear maniac Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, La Posts: 253	That toilet reminds me of something .... oh yeah: I'll be back in a few minutes! 45 minutes later Whew! Had to flush it a couple of times! Don't want to be rude! Seriously, though: things are looking spectacular! I can not wait to hear the music that is made in this beautiful place! Thanks for sharing the progress with us!

23rd October 2007, 01:52 PM	#85
Kris Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,284	Nice work on the whiskey trade! Nothing worse I can think of than mudding and taping... except maybe painting ceilings. __________________ http://www.fullblackout.com - band http://www.logcabinmusic.com - studio ... - Yours Truely "a GOOD mic pre is good with any mic on any instrument or voice for any genre of music and into any recording device." W. Wittman (ProSoundWeb)

23rd October 2007, 10:51 PM	#86
Tone Obsessed Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mid-Atlantic Posts: 218	Nope, drywall mud is worse! Besides, paint means you're almost done!

23rd October 2007, 11:42 PM	#87
ickefes Gear Head Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 50	I am seriously very jealous of you guys that have the money/luck/courage or whatever it takes to make your own real recording studio. I will keep an eye on this thread because it makes me dream and that dream creates a tranquillity of mine. Best Regards Rickard Gerthsson __________________ my band (fast melodic rock/punk): www.damnsundaydrivers.com my recording projects: www.interfearingsounds.com

23rd October 2007, 11:57 PM	#88
Matthew Murray Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 1,401	Money, luck, or courage had nothing to do with it. It was merely a combination of credit cards and stupidity We actually did save a lot of money for this project, which is what I suggest to anyone who would undertake this. Nobody wants debt when they run a low profit business like a recording studio. Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. Jeff and I really appreciate the eggin' on. __________________ -Matthew

24th October 2007, 12:13 AM	#89
pootkao Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 476	This is a great thread! Nice to see some other Canadian prairieboys make a go of it. How's the recording business in Calgary these days? You've had a good collection of bands coming out there for a few years now... Broken City has helped build the scene it seems. I saw Hot Little Rocket again a couple months ago... love those guys.