Choosing A Studio Part Four--The Comfort Factor

The Comfort Factor

Now while the comfort of a studio might not be your highest priority, it often plays a giant role in how much actual work you get done. If this isn't looked at, you might end up spending far more than you intended on your recording time and possibly even lose musicians over this. Here are a few things you might think about before making a final decision on where to record.

TRAVEL TIME

When thinking about a location, you definitely need to look at how long it takes to get there. If it is on a major road, will traffic jams be a factor in everyone getting to the gig on time? If it is in a remote location, you need to make sure the other musicians you might be working with are willing to go this far. Is there a major thoroughfare nearby? What might the weather be like? If it were off the beaten path, you probably wouldn't want to try going there in winter, if the snowplows don't consider that road a priority to get to, for example. If it is off in a wooded area and secluded, if you encounter heavy rains, will you be able to get to and from the studio, or is the area prone to flooding? This may not seem too important, but I'll never forget the time when our chosen studio had to reschedule our time block because of a heavy flood situation, and we had to leave or be trapped there until the creek receded back off the roadway (yes, the studio was fine, and so was our equipment-we were able to load up without getting everything soaked). Also, is it close to food facilities and/or lodging if you need to stay in the area because it is far away? How far is it to the nearest music equipment store in case things go badly and you suddenly need an obscure thing like a third set of mandolin strings because you got nervous and kept breaking yours? Try to take a dry run and drive out there a few times just to get an accurate idea of drive time, especially if you plan on going at night-road signs and landmarks are much different at night, in many cases, and getting lost accidentally can really slow down your commute.

FOOD AND REST FACILITIES

If you are lucky, you are in a studio where it is easy to get a bite before and after your session, and you have some sort of hallway where you can take a break and get a sip of something if you get thirsty. There should also be a restroom, or hopefully a public one nearby that is used to musicians popping in and taking a load off, so to speak. Many I've seen offer snack and beverage machines, or have a well-stocked cooler-you might find out about this ahead of time and what their prices are, so you will bring enough change if needed, or whether they will be able to make change for you. Some may allow you to bring in your own refreshments and/or sleeping bags if you want, but check with them first so there won't be any misunderstandings later. There are some in our area that have actual sleeping rooms that are included with the price of studios in our area, especially some of the ones out in the outlying rural areas-find out just what all is included-many studios of this type have wonderful bed and breakfast facilities thrown in with your lockout cost, especially when you book a whole day's worth of hours or more in a row.

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