How to Start a Home-Based Recording Studio Business

by Joe Shambro

Overview

In the past decade, the rise of independent music culture has come hand-in-hand with another music revolution: the home-based recording studio, the start-up costs of which can be as low or high as a budget allows. How to Start a Home-Based Recording Studio walks aspiring studio owners through all the steps necessary to turn their passion into a business. The first-ever guide to focus not only on outfitting a studio, but also to offer a full range of advice on converting a studio into a profit-making enterprise, it is an indispensible reference for any studio at every stage of its operation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762767731
Publisher:	Globe Pequot Publishing
Publication date:	01/11/2011
Series:	Home-Based Business Series
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	554 KB

About the Author

Joe Shambro is an audio engineer, music producer, and music technology writer. He has worked exclusively as a freelance engineer with a successful home-based recording and mixing studio, as well as traveling worldwide as an in-demand live sound engineer, mixing concerts and recording live for major-label and independent clients. 

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1:    So You Want to Start a Home-Based Recording Studio

Why Start a Home-Based Recording Studio?

Is Self-Employment For You?

Meet Your New Boss

How The Industry Has Changed

What Can You Offer?

Are Your Skills Up To Par?

Balancing Work & Family

Your Most Valuable Tool:  Your Ears

Chapter 2:    Envisioning Your Business

Who Needs You?

What Kind of Studio Are You?

Producing vs. Engineering

Understanding the Studio Process

Time Frame

Your Finances

Role Models

Know Your Competition

Chapter 3:    Writing a Business Plan

What’s a Business Plan?

Explaining What You Do

It’s All About Marketing

Organization & Management

According to the Law...

Fixed Costs, Variable Costs, and Estimated Fees

Plan B

Chapter 4:    Getting Started

First Things First

Finding Your Niche

Getting Legal

Banking & Credit

Contracts

Finding a Good Lawyer

Marketing Materials

Your Resume & Demo Reel

Chapter 5:    Financial Planning & Management

Financing Your Dream

Insurance & Licenses

Business vs. Personal Finances

Don’t Forget Your Taxes...

Your Rate:  Hourly vs. Flat-Rate?

Financing For Your Clients

Full or Part-Time?

Knowing When to Quit

Chapter 6:    Outfit Your Studio

Finding Your Space

Commercial Studio Essentials

Recording Gear:  Staying Current

Room Acoustics 101

Renting & Borrowing Gear

Analog or Digital?

Making Your Studio Unique

Chapter 7:    Taxes and Record Keeping

Keeping Good Records

Dealing with Employees -- Including Yourself

Filing Your Taxes

When Should You Hire a Tax Service?

Chapter 8:    Legal & Ethical Issues

Music Industry Law 101

Intellectual Property Matters:  Producer vs. Engineer

Software Piracy

Before The Check Clears:  Holding The Master

Client & Project Confidentiality

Noise Pollution:  Know (And Use) The Law

Alcohol & Drugs In Your Studio

Equipment Theft

Fair Price vs. “The Hookup”

Keeping Client Expectations In Check

Chapter 9:    Marketing Your Studio

All About Exposure

You, As A Brand

Go For The Ears First!

Social Networking

Blogs

Special Promotions

Everybody Likes Something for Free...

Finding Government & Corporate Work

Working The Media

Chapter 10:  The Internet & E Commerce

Your Web Site

Craigslist

Paying for Internet Advertising:  Is It Worth It?

Forums

Online Client Payment

Chapter 11:  Training & Certification

Staying Relevant

How Client Expectations Change

Keeping Up With The Big Guys

Standing Out:  Professional Certifications

Chapter 12:  After Recording:  Helping Clients To The Finish Line

Mastering:  In House or Outsourced?

Packaging & Artwork

Digital Distribution

Storing Client Masters

Chapter 13:  Business Endgame

Repeat Business & How To Ensure It

When to Leave Home:  Outsourcing & Buying Time

Employees

Studio Interns

Your Standard of Quality

Ongoing Royalties

Selling Your Studio

Setting a Price:  Equipment Sale vs. Selling a Business

Letting Go

Appendix A:Resources On The Web

Appendix B:            Suggested Professional Organizations

Appendix C: Recommended Listening