Studio Help

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artCROSS

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Ok everyone, I decided today that I'm going to live my dream and open a commercial studio. This is something that's definitely not going to happen overnight...think 3-5 years. I still need the education and experience, but I just decided to at least get things in motion.

I need to know what equipment would be necessary to start this up. As for budget, don't worry about it, as I just want to get an estimate on how much this will cost. I just need to know what equpiment would be necessary to charge $50/hr and not rip people off (yeah, experience is more important, and I plan on getting more of it, but for now, I wanna focus on the gear just to see what my capital would be). I would probably do overdubs, instead of recording a band live, so minimum 10 tracks, max...24? If you could factor in studio building costs of a room about 25'x20', that would be nice (including interior rooms, raised floors, the works). Again, this is just to see how much it would cost so I can start a business plan. I don't need lectures on how experience is more important than gear, b/c I know it is. I might even just hire an engineer to do all the tracking and mixing, and I'd just be owner, but either way your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.
 
Oh, and although I would like to record all genres of music, primary focus would be on recording rock and acoustic. I am assuming clients would have their own instruments, but I guess amps would need to be factored into the price as well. I have a Vox Valvetronix ad120vtx, but I'm not sure if I'd need something a little better to justify charging people.
 
It's excellent that you're following a dream, but there are some realities to be aware of.....

If you take a look around my studio site - the gear and the layout... you're looking at over a quarter mil of capital just to open the doors..... then you have to think about advertising, marketing, and daily operating costs while you're trying to get started. You also need to determine if there's enough potential business in your area to warrant opening a studio and becoming profitable.

EDIT: And the link Rick posted is EXCELLENT!
 
$50 at hour is shooting towards the higher end of the market. Most of the homereccer types are working in the $25-35 range, or lower :eek:
 
Ok, fair enough. Let me just tell you where I got $50/hr from.

I recorded an EP a while back @ $35/hr. It was good at the time, but to be honest, I'm happier with recordings I do at home. I've opened up my bedroom to some people, who say $10/hr is rediculously cheap. They said they would pay at least $20-25/hr. This is w/ only 3 mics, and an interface.

The studio I recorded at ($35/hr) used MXLs, 57s, ProTools, etc. I was just thinking if I started getting into the higher end stuff, I could charge a bit more than this studio. so i just thought of $50, which now I know is too high. Would $35/hr be reasonable? The guy who recorded me was actually a good friend, and he made a decent living off his studio alone, so I know it can be done.

I want to record local people, and local labels eventually. Was thinking about spending $50,000-$100,000 + studio building costs. I know all you big time studio owners started somewhere. Right now, I'm just trying to find my starting point. If this doesn't work out, at least I tried. This is something I really want to shoot for, and not just push it away saying it can't be done. I have had that happen too many times in my life.

I do have a backup plan though. While I am trying to make this happen, I'm still going to be employed as a graphic designer. This money will be coming out of savings (which is why this isn't happening now) and investors who have already expressed interest. I understand you guys just want me to realize the risks and realities of starting a studio business, and I thank you for that. But what I want to know is after I stupidly decide to keep going, what gear would you get to satisfy the above requirements. Think hypothetically. and thank you all again.
 
If you're serious about a studio you will need to get very serious about the acoustics of your facility. That'll suck up a good size chunk o' bucks.

I'd probably base mine around RME equipment, at least a Fireface and maybe an ADI-8 or two. Then a couple of super very good mics, a few very good mics and several good mics. Then some rack pres.

And at least a pair of HR824s.
 
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