#989944 - 02/11/05 02:15 PM
Good info for properly running a studio?
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Matt.Hepworth
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Wondering what the best sources (books, media, websites) are for running a studio properly (best practices, example contracts, list of common pitfalls and often overlooked niches, etc.).
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#989945 - 02/11/05 08:38 PM
Re: Good info for properly running a studio?
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bdbklyn
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The great Yogi Berra said it best. "You can observe a lot, just by watching".
I've never seen a book on studio management. Most of us that have done it learned by the seat of our pants. A book that would encompass all the duties involved would have ot be pretty thick.
I think there are some old threads on booking procedures and letters of confirmation and such.. I can briefly tell you now that to do it right involves a lot of database maintenance and attention to details and documentation.
Gotta run for now...more to follow...
Bill Dooley
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#989946 - 02/11/05 09:46 PM
Re: Good info for properly running a studio?
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Matt.Hepworth
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Thanks Bill, sounds like a plan.
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#989947 - 02/12/05 03:25 PM
Re: Good info for properly running a studio?
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bdbklyn
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Actually, there is a comprehesive book written by one of my mentors and one of the former moderator of this forum Chris Stone and edited by David Goggin called Audio Recording For Profit-The $ound of Money. This book is entertaining as well as very informative. My apologies to the author for not mentioning this book in my first response.
Bill Dooley
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#989948 - 02/12/05 03:59 PM
Re: Good info for properly running a studio?
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bdbklyn
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One of the keys to running a succesful operation is to have excellent record keeping practices.
1. Every booking should have a Letter Of Confirmation the outlines the terms the agreement. It's best to have this in writting.
2. No work should ever ben done in your studio or as an engineer without a session "work order" filled out. This will provide a hard copy document as to the dates and times as well as what you did during the session.
The discipline needed to do this may seem someone over the top, but I guarantee that the effort taken to do this is well spent. Even if it's something as simple as the client calling you to find out what hours you worked recording a musician that he suspects is overcharging him. You should be able to provide specific records of all work performed, even if you are not charging for it......
One of the things I developed while running studios were inter-relational data-bases using Filemaker Pro. From a phone list to equipment inventory, troublereports, work orders, invoices, employes payroll etc it provided me with information at my fingers whenever and where ever I wanted it. The idea of searching through boxes of stored files is very time consuming and unappealing to me. The ability to type in a few keystrokes to find information is worth its weight in gold.
I have hundred of hours (non-income producing hours)into the design of these data-bases. As mentioned before in this forum, Joel Stoner makes a product called StudioSuite by Alter Media which provides the bulk of these forms.
Without the use of tools like these it would be extremely difficult to administrate a facility effectively and economically.
Bill Dooley
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#989949 - 02/13/05 04:06 PM
Re: Good info for properly running a studio?
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Matt.Hepworth
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I'll pick up the book and go from there. Thanks Bill!
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#989950 - 02/21/05 11:43 PM
Re: Good info for properly running a studio?
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KeyBored
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I'm gonna step out on a limb here...
What BD mentioned before is good advice from a seasoned pro but I believe it's secondary to the first and foremost issue in running a studio; Give the people what they want and need.
FWIW:
I am primarily a producer and composer who books studio time as opposed to selling it. If I had $.10 for every time I walked into a "new" or "baby" studio in the last five years that was built from the vision of an engineer who wished they had grown up making Pearl Jam, Matchbox 20, or ???? albums, and eventually went chapter 11, then I'd be writing this from Bali.
If I was going to build a studio today, I'd put together a BLOWN OUT computer rig running PT, Logic, and DP, and an arsenal of vintage mic pre's all IN ROAD CASES. Why? Because the last 5 projects I did were with engineers who came to me and worked where I wanted them to on rented rigs.
Then I'd get a timeshare lease on a warehouse with in 5 miles of Manhattan, LA, or (choose your epicenter) and start from there. Why? Because the last 5 projects I worked on were done by tracking full bands for three days in a "recording" space and odubbing for 1 1/2 months in a "wtf" space. Why have an expensive facility when you just don't need it?
The truth is that I can honestly say that my "warehouse" sessions sound as good or better than my Hit Factory or Ocean Way sessions ever did. This is coming from a guy who has the UTMOST respect and reverence for the art and history of making records but is acutely aware of the reality of where it's all going... and DA MONEY.
Soooo.... definitely log your work orders and TCB but make sure you've given people what they need in TODAY's market. I can think of five people off the top of my head that are disasters when it comes to business management but are making loads of cash running their studios. I can also think of fifty people who are super organized and great "managers" about to go belly up. Go with your gut.
Be warned; Chris Stone's book is informative and somewhat entertaining but this is written by a guy who had success two generations ago. This business has changed alot since the concept of being able to maintain large lease payments and million dollar clients. Start small, dream big, and be FRUGAL.
Best wishes and good luck.
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#989951 - 02/22/05 02:08 PM
Re: Good info for properly running a studio?
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bdbklyn
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Good points KeyBored. I thought that Matt was looking for more of a "nuts and bolts" answer.
Booking confirmations, scheduling practices, rate negotiations, invoicing, inventory, staff administration, solicitation of work, promotion, marketing and getting paid.
Chris may have had his heyday 20 years ago..but as I tell my kids, "those who do not study history are doomed to watch the History Channel" (they actually understand that as "doomed to repeat it").
When everyone has the same gear and the same spaces, what sets YOUR studio apart from another?
Bill Dooley
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#989952 - 02/23/05 03:28 PM
Re: Good info for properly running a studio?
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zele
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We have taken a different approach... we record songwriters--not bands. Far easier set-up and less expectations. Yes, it requires more of my arranging skills >> a handling of the aritst; who may not be studio friendly ~~~ but that is where the profit seems to be, for us. Most of our clients have spent time in the "band scene" 30-40 years ago. Now ^ they just want a quality recording and a decent interpretation of their tunes. Not a full blown radio-ready CD. They are selling the ideas *** not a touring band. A whole lot easier for us these days --average $1000 per tune - with 3 song min. 
==== works for us ====
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#989953 - 02/27/05 12:20 PM
Re: Good info for properly running a studio?
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dcwave
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Loc: Spanish Fork, Utah, USA
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I'm doing the same as Zele - easier, more relaxed, and higher profit margin. Although I don't charge anywhere near $1000 per tune
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#989954 - 03/01/05 08:58 PM
Re: Good info for properly running a studio?
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Matt.Hepworth
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Excellent info KeyBored. Reading your statements made me stop and think for a second, and I may refine my approach thanks to your suggestions.
Bill, you're right, I definitely was looking for nuts and bolts answers, but I definitely appreciate all the insight I can get from those with more experience. I picked up Chris Stone's book and I'm reading it currently - it's straight up. Thanks for the info everyone!
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