Looks like I have a studio to build!

[Michael Jones]

I just heard from the bank, my financing has been approved!
I close on the 1st.

Now I need to finish the plans, submitt for permits, and pick the subs.

Hopefully this will move the ground-breaking up to the first part of December. That's 2 months sooner than I had hoped.

I'm stoked!

 

[frederic]

Much congratulations to you! I'm sure you know you have your work cut out for ya!

I just heard from the bank, my financing has been approved!
I close on the 1st.

Now I need to finish the plans, submitt for permits, and pick the subs.

Hopefully this will move the ground-breaking up to the first part of December. That's 2 months sooner than I had hoped.

I'm stoked!

 

[knightfly]

Hey Michael - way to go man, I'm envious. Still looking at probably a year away to ground break.

Are you planning a free-standing studio? If so, check out

www.polysteel.com

- I saw their display at a home show a few weeks ago, and they blew me away. Here are some of the reasons:

52 dB STC with only one layer of 1/2" sheet rock inside

Class 4 earthquake rated

Walls as tall as you need them, choice of 8" or ll" thickness (52 dB was the 8" if I recall correctly)

Deck forms for either 7" or 11" deep, the 7" with 14' centers for supports will support a CAR... I need to span 24' the shortest dimension (studio will be ABOVE a 36 x 48 garage/shop) so will use the 11"

A/C and wiring duct built into floor forms if you use their system

guaranteed 33% lower heating costs than 2x6 stud construction

"nearly identical costs as 2x6 stud construction, provided both are contracted and not DIY" (not sure what nearly identical means yet)

75% less air infiltration than 2x6 const.

1-1/2" galvanized runners vertically every foot for fastening siding, paneling, cabinets, etc

Regardless of what you do inside, seems like a helluva shell for a studio... Steve

 

[Michael Jones]

That's pretty interesting stuff Knightfly.
I'm planning on using 2x6 staggered stud for the exterior walls, and RC walls for the interior.

I'll sub out the concrete slab, roofing and truss erection, main electrical, HVAC and plumbing. The rest I'll do myself and hire a couple of laborers to help out.

 

[DigitalDon]

Congratulations Michael! You are about to embark on a journey of epic proportions. Patience grasshopper .

One word of advice. Don't get frustrated when you change your drawings for the 100th time before the first board goes up. Mine is still going through changes!

Best of luck to ya. Please keep us all informed.

DD

 

[Dan Merrill]

You'd need an ice pick to break ground up here in December!

Hearty congrats Michael.

 

[Michael Jones]

You'd need an ice pick to break ground up here in December!

Hearty congrats Michael.

Actually winter time here is the best for concrete. Too hot in summer; the water evaporates before the concrete cures.

From what I remember of Maine, Dan, you need an ice pick at the end of September!

 

[Richard Monroe]

Mazel Tov! May I someday walk the part of the path you are on. Best of luck and do post those cool "half built" pictures.-Richie

 

[Dan Merrill]

From what I remember of Maine, Dan, you need an ice pick at the end of September!

Lol, In defense of our great, albeit brisk, state- I offer specimen A, taken in all it's green splendor on Sept 26th.

 

[DDev]

Congratulations, Michael. My little corner in the basement I'm currently constructing just doesn't measure up, but maybe, someday...

And Dan, so that's what Maine looks like, huh? My brother just moved up there (Mars Hill up near Presque Isle) a couple of months ago and I've been wondering about the environment.

Darryl.....

 

[JesusFreak]

Congratulation Michael!! That's awesome man....I'm just getting ready to put up wallboard on my walls in my garage and should be done in a few weeks....I'm really excited about my studio too so you got to be stoked...

Post some pics when construction begins...I would be interested on how the project comes along...

God Bless!

 

[Michael Jones]

Congratulations, Michael. My little corner in the basement I'm currently constructing just doesn't measure up, but maybe, someday...

And Dan, so that's what Maine looks like, huh? My brother just moved up there (Mars Hill up near Presque Isle) a couple of months ago and I've been wondering about the environment.

Darryl.....

Hey Daryl!
You're in Wichita huh?
I used to live there from the time I was in 2nd grade 'till 10th grade.
I have 2 brothers and a sister that still live there. (Man, talk about cold winters!)
I was back there last summer for the first time in 25 years. Didn't look like it had changed much.

 

[DDev]

Michael,

Well, Wichita is Wichita. Planes, planes, and more planes to go with the wind.

I've lived here since 1985 but actually grew up in Michigan, where the winters are MUCH colder than here.

Looks like your next few months are going to be filled with sweat, though.

Have fun!!

Darryl.....

 

[Dan Merrill]

And Dan, so that's what Maine looks like, huh? My brother just moved up there (Mars Hill up near Presque Isle) a couple of months ago and I've been wondering about the environment.

Darryl.....

Presque Isle.. wow, even to people from maine that is up in the sticks. about 5 hours north of me. To put it in perspective for those of you on the east coast: to get there you go to the END of interstate 95, hang a left and drive yet another hour. You'll be greeted by rolling potato fields and up there they indeed have the long cold winters Maine is known for. Also rumored to be the site that toothpaste was invented. (anywhere else and it would have been called teethpaste)

 

[Velvet Elvis]

bwahahahahaha....

toothpaste... teethpaste... that's funny.

I'm originally from Charleston, South Carolina... let me tell you drive pretty much ANYWHERE west of Charleston and you start to wonder if the family trees form a circle

Velvet Elvis

 

[TexRoadkill]

Congrats, Michael. Now you just need some clients.

 

[Michael Jones]

Congrats, Michael. Now you just need some clients.

Man, that's no kidding there.
Once it's all set up, I'm going to do some pro-bono work, to try to generate some interest.
I have a budget for advertising too, and the Universities around here all offer advanced degrees in music. It looks like that may be a relatively untapped market.
Then I'll start focusing on the usual suspects.

Haven't quit my day job yet though.

 

[frederic]

Here is a suggestion you can try (unless you are geographically near me, in which case do nothing! <G>)

Create coupons for "the gift of recording". Very cheap day rate to attract karaoke vocalists to come in, sign against midi recordings or a CD with a vocal zapper - do basic mixing, level off the recording and dump to a CD. 6-8 songs for $200. Use words like "pampered day in a professional recording studio". I did this for many years on days the studio calendar was blank. While a pain in the butt, its $200 more than yesterday. Offer cheap food like pizza and coffee for a complete "day".

On occasion, I'd have wannabe engineers apply for a job and I'd pay them cheaply for the day to do this type of work to "show their stuff", if you don't want to be bothered yourself.

Just an idea. you won't live on it but its a quick pick-me-up and very easy to do.

The net is loaded with midifiles if you don't already have your 1gig collection like I do

Man, that's no kidding there.
Once it's all set up, I'm going to do some pro-bono work, to try to generate some interest.
I have a budget for advertising too, and the Universities around here all offer advanced degrees in music. It looks like that may be a relatively untapped market.
Then I'll start focusing on the usual suspects.

Haven't quit my day job yet though.

 

[PhilMckracken]

Seems an unlikely time for such a venture. Nevetheless, someone has to do it I suppose. The thing is, the economy is changing and certainly, the economy regarding music and the music business has been clearly changing. What then are the options? Why would anyone want to build a commercial studio if not for specialized applications. The usual method of recording nowadays involves mostly home recordin ergo this site.

So, Mr. Johnon's venture raises intersting questions and presents a very interesting subject.

I think we here at home recording should band together as a community for the best interests of all. For instance, even though we are all geographically seperated, we can still support each other with ideas, suggestions etc. on ways to survive and earn money with our creations.

As time goes on, I would hope Mr. Johnson that you would post more than just techincal specifications which, although interesting, are not the whole picture. Some of us would like to know what trials and tribulations you go through in your attempts to make your studio and musical abilities develope into an commercially sucessful venture.

I for one believe that to some degree, the music business must be controlled by the musicians, not necessarily the corporations. Sure, this is ideological at best but, without the impetus for such change comming at a grass root level, it will never happen.

Therefore, for those like Mr. Johnson, who are willing to take on the challenge many offer good luck. I would hope that luck is the smallest part of the equation and that a strong musical community made up of persons who care and whose lifes are about music would be the strongest factor.

I advocate the support of all independant musical concerns that are owned and operated by musicians. Each of us should do that and boycott the majors. Yeah sure, I know, this is theory but hey...why not!

 

[Michael Jones]

Federic -
Targeting karaoke singers is definately in my business plan as well.
My kids elementary school held an auction one time. One of the vendors was a local recording studio. I believe a half a day went for $250. So that's another interesting idea, especially since people tend to get carried away with auctions.

Phil -
Who's Mr. Johnson?

Sure the economy is changing, and just as sure as it goes down, it will also come up. What makes the prospect of a new venture most alluring right now is the fact that interest rates are currently at unprecidented lows.

I'll be happy to share all of my findings and experiences in this matter.

I myself, am a musician first, so some of your ideaologies are my own aslo.
Thanks to all for your well wishes.