The costs to build a studio....

  • Thread starter Thread starter Recon101
  • Start date Start date
True, but I do expect 50k in construction to get me farther than a lot of studios I have been to. And if need be I can take a small loan of 25k to add to the construction. :D

Also as the freelancing subject goes, I do got a family friend who works for capital records. But if I dont get in theres little I can do about freelancing, as there aint much in my area as far as high end recording studios to go to. Id sort of have to take 1 1/2 hour trip to LA, but would need to be equipped with the knowledge of location and contacts :(.

But I am pretty stubborn on my goals, cause if all else fails the studio would be for my own personal recording, being a recording artist myself, and currently attempting at taking the roll as a beat producer, then do some client/recording work on the side, then so be it. But I dont see why I couldn't do both of course get knowledge and build a client base as I go along with it.


Also let me ask if you dont mind, do you feel your work into your studio was a waste and find yourself having to work a job on the side, or you successful enough that you think you are in a nice position for yourself?
 
Recon101 said:
Also let me ask if you dont mind, do you feel your work into your studio was a waste and find yourself having to work a job on the side, or you successful enough that you think you are in a nice position for yourself?
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Ummmm, mine is mainly a hobby. I work a full time regular job. I would never even consider building a studio for profit. It's impossible around here. Seriously. There are a ton of studios that I could go and freelance at, that I could negotiate a severely discounted rate because they are hurting.

Live the dream man. If you are building a studio for you self, and to make some side money, I say go for it. If you want to make a living as an engineer/producer, find a studio to freelance at. I guarantee there are some closer than you think. It's a tough gig to make a living at. Look how hard it is to be a successful musician. For every successful eng/prod there are probably 100 successful bands. Pretty slim odds. Don't let that stop you though. However, there are fewer and fewer successful studios. Times are a changin............
 
hey recon,
if you can afford the time, 50K ought to see a really nice set up. Especially if it is at your house, and you do a lot of the construction yourself.
I guesstimate a year of research on this and simliar forums + books recommended by the folks here, + 6 months to a year of thorough planning, during which you can hang out on ebay and craigslist and pick up equipment cheaply, followed by a year or so of construction.
That would be the approach I followed, albeit with a much, much smaller budget.
i started with a USB 2 channel interface one mic and an acoustic guitar, now it's 16 channels with all sorts of instruments, and the equipment obviously outweighs my talents.
If you are looking to get it done quickly, with all brand new stuff, then I get the feeling that 50k is not going to go very far at all.
Like I said, a years worth of research (at least an hour a day) will go quite a long way in finding out what is involved in building a studio space - one thread in one forum is not really going to get you the information I think you are asking for.
Best of luck,
Chris
 
chugheshc said:
hey recon,
if you can afford the time, 50K ought to see a really nice set up. Especially if it is at your house, and you do a lot of the construction yourself.
I guesstimate a year of research on this and simliar forums + books recommended by the folks here, + 6 months to a year of thorough planning, during which you can hang out on ebay and craigslist and pick up equipment cheaply, followed by a year or so of construction.
That would be the approach I followed, albeit with a much, much smaller budget.
i started with a USB 2 channel interface one mic and an acoustic guitar, now it's 16 channels with all sorts of instruments, and the equipment obviously outweighs my talents.
If you are looking to get it done quickly, with all brand new stuff, then I get the feeling that 50k is not going to go very far at all.
Like I said, a years worth of research (at least an hour a day) will go quite a long way in finding out what is involved in building a studio space - one thread in one forum is not really going to get you the information I think you are asking for.
Best of luck,
Chris
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Ahh understandable definately didn't expect it would I was just looking for a gross summary of it. And the 50k its just for construction not the equipment, but I would prolly still hire a company that can at least suite the needs to build it once I get the skematics and plans for it. And electricity and wiring work Im covered I got plenty of friends who know a lot about wireing and went into the military to do it and what not. So we could make a strong weekend out of it and buy up some beer for us lol.

But thanks for the pep talk if there any more info please spare it, Im trying to absorb everything I can at the moment.
 
I did almost all the work myself...and I never built anything before,,,,started footers last April, and it turned out great and only cost me about $35K +/- for a 1150 sq ft - 2 story studio. (this included a 13x21 Control Room, a 17x21Live Tracking Room, an ISO Room, a Bath Room, a 15 x 12 1st Floor Lounge, a HUGE 21 x 28 2nd Floor Lounge and a Mic Closet. ;)

And that included all the double sheeting, double drywall, Green Glue, double doors, double windows, etc etc.

Go to the thread called "Show me your Studio" as I just posted pictures there today of the finished project.

It pays to shop prices on everything, and do as much as you can by yourself. ;)

I am one of those who is convinced that you DONT need a million dollar studio to make a great recording. Just a decent room, good gear and a great engineer,,,and the job will get done.

Just my opinion as a newbie to the biz. ;)

Peace
AJ
 
NL5 said:
How long do you think it will take to make back your investment?
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Good Question...:confused:

Well I really don’t care how long it will take to get back my investment:rolleyes:, the main thing is that now I have a decent place for recording, practice, teaching and having good time while composing and producing my own music with out having noise from outside or been bothered or being distracted by my kids or telephone calls during my everyday practice. :p

The great thing is that it is built in my own home and will be there forever, and I don’t have to pay for recording ever.

;)I started recording a great jazz guitarist who is a friend of me, I’m not charging him for recording because I’m learning how to get the best of my modest equipment, but he told me that last year he spent 10K for his first album :eek: and he doesn’t have more money for his next album so we can keep recording his stuff and if we are happy with the result we can do a new album with his music and share the profits or benefits of that album.

:cool:This is just the starting of my new life as producer in my own modest place. My friend is comfortable with the space and the sound is really good I just need to perform small process with compressors and add some reverb to his guitars and the result is making me happy of the 20k investment :Dand the care and patience of building this small home recording studio by my own.:)
 
one thing to consider is the kind of competition there's going to be in southern california for a "professional" studio. you're discussing your budget as accounting for construction and recording equipment, but if you want to record bands you should consider that many of your competitors may have better gear, as well as numerous house amps, guitars, synths, snare drums, several drum kits, etc. depending where you are in california, there's probably as much competition (or more/less) than the nyc area.
you might want to stick to what you're doing-- use that money to cater to your primary clientel. spreading $50k or even 100k over studio construction costs and gear that has to record bands might not get the same return that getting a nice booth, a top shelf condenser and/or tube microphone or two (plus an sm7b and re20), awesome pre/vocal chain, converters, and monitoring will. you could cater to rappers, singer/songwriters, bands looking to do overdubs, and voiceover clients. those kinds of clients may choose a studio based on one or two pieces of gear-- and if you can have those things and offer a lower rate than a larger, more full-featured studio will, you may find a niche in what is probably a fairly saturated market.
 
Are you trying to make a living off recording/producing rap with only $50k and no prior professional studio expirience? If so, I wouldn't hold your breath. If you're not interested in making profit and are doing it for the pure love of music, than $50k can make a pretty sweet home studio, heck I wish I had even 50 bucks right now!
 
Victor Man said:
Good Question...:confused:

Well I really don’t care how long it will take to get back my investment:rolleyes:, the main thing is that now I have a decent place for recording, practice, teaching and having good time while composing and producing my own music
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I'm with his point of view.
I'll never understand how people get hung up with trying to make a profit with music, unless they are trying to make a living as an engineer or something, in which case it becomes fully understandable. Having profit be a main focus when it comes to creating your own music means the musician has yet to find something truly meaningful in the art of self expression.
 
If you're trying to set up shop as a producer, mixer, etc. I suggest getting some good gigs under your belt. If you're wanting to build your own studio, there are a lot factors involved, the best thing you do is consult someone to help you write up a business plan. With this you'll see everything that's involved then you can make your decision from there.
 
Supercreep said:
It's not going to get you as much as you think it is. ;)
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A fuckin' men!

You can have the best studio facility in the world, but without the right gear, and more importantly the skill, it aint gonna do squat. I'd suggest maybe delving a bit more into the creative and technical side of recording before you plop 75k in building a fancy shmancy recording studio...just my .02

-Joel
P.S. I'm a noob, but I know things people teach me. *flamesuit zipped tightly*
:D:D:D
 
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