Synopses & Reviews
All studios, both large and small, spend a lot of money every year in an unending quest to attract clients-- whether they are upgrading equipment, tweaking acoustics, or adding that big leather couch for the back of the control room. But merely throwing money at a studio may not be enough to keep it competitive. As with any other business, a recording studio must be properly managed in order to be profi table, or merely to break even. This all-new and expanded edition of The Studio Business Book is the bestselling step-by-step guide to operating and managing a professional recording facility. Used by studio owners, managers, and as a text for university courses, it begins with the basics: formulating a business plan, estimating studio startup costs (from small project studios to world-class rooms), finding a location, getting funded, and making equipment purchases. From there, the book takes you through the necessary details of business operation: accounting, phone, network and utility services, insurance plans, promoting your venture, and increasing revenues. Other chapters cover the fine art of studio management: scheduling sessions, dealing with clients, hiring and firing employees, maintaining and upgrading equipment, and how to cope with all kinds of disasters. The authors combine decades of insider experience and knowledge of the subject in this solid, well-written and carefully organized text. As an added bonus, numerous interviews with leading experts in every facet of the business are interspersed throughout the chapters, providing rare insights and fi rst-hand advice from successful industry veterans who deal with studio operations every day. This is truly a must-have book for anyone interested in starting a recording business.
Synopsis
All studios, both large and small, spend a lot of money every year in an unending quest to attract clients-- whether they are upgrading equipment, tweaking acoustics, or adding that big leather couch for the back of the control room. But merely throwing money at a studio may not be enough to keep it competitive. As with any other business, a recording studio must be properly managed in order to be profi table, or merely to break even. This all-new and expanded edition of The Studio Business Book is the bestselling step-by-step guide to operating and managing a professional recording facility. Used by studio owners, managers, and as a text for university courses, it begins with the basics: formulating a business plan, estimating studio startup costs (from small project studios to world-class rooms), finding a location, getting funded, and making equipment purchases. From there, the book takes you through the necessary details of business operation: accounting, phone, network and utility services, insurance plans, promoting your venture, and increasing revenues. Other chapters cover the fine art of studio management: scheduling sessions, dealing with clients, hiring and firing employees, maintaining and upgrading equipment, and how to cope with all kinds of disasters. The authors combine decades of insider experience and knowledge of the subject in this solid, well-written and carefully organized text. As an added bonus, numerous interviews with leading experts in every facet of the business are interspersed throughout the chapters, providing rare insights and fi rst-hand advice from successful industry veterans who deal with studio operations every day. This is truly a must-have book for anyone interested in starting a recording business.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 268-270) and index.
About the Author
The former Senior Technical Editor of Keyboard magazine and former Editor-in-Chief of EQ magazine, Mitch Gallagher studied electrical engineering and computer science, eventually earning a degree in music. Graduate studies included music composition and classical guitar. He toured as a guitarist/vocalist in rock and country bands, also playing with big bands, fusion and experimental music groups, and as a classical and steel-string guitar soloist. As a music technology specialist, he has taught college courses, lectured, given clinics, and spoken at festivals, conventions, and conferences around the world. His compositions cover genres from classical to heavy metal. Prophecy #1: At First Glance, his experimental percussion ensemble/ synthesizer work based on the Fibonacci number series, received a Grammy award. He has published nearly 1,000 articles in magazines such as Performing Songwriter, Acoustic Guitar, EQ, EQ en Espa?ol, Keyboard, Pro Sound News, Guitar Player, Government Video, Extreme Groove, Music Technology Buyer's Guide, Videography, and Microphones and Monitors. His books include Make Music Now!; Pro Tools Clinic: Demystifying LE for Macintosh and PC; The Studio Business Book, Third Edition; and Acoustic Design for the Home Studio. In addition to freelance writing, and recording and producing a variety of projects in his studio, Mitch is the Editorial Director for Sweetwater in Fort Wayne, Indiana.Jim authored the previous editions of The Studio Business Book and has been involved in the recording studio business and the music industry for more than 25 years.
Table of Contents
1. Looking Out from the Inside 2. Writing a Business Plan 3. How Much Does it Cost? How Much Have You Got? 4. Making It Happen 5. The Project Studio 6. Expense Planning 7. Putting a Price on Value 8. Income Sources: Getting Creative 9. Developing Contracts 10. Advertising and PR 11. The Art of Schooling 12. Keeping Track of Things 13. Politics and Psychology 14. Equipment, Money, and Strategy 15. On Being the Boss 16. Hiring and Firing 17. The Employee Manual 18. Coping with Disaster 19. Betting on the Future Appendix: The Manager's Quick Reference Guide