Recording Studio News!
For those of you that have known me for any length of time, you know that music is an integral part of my existence. First a bass player, then a multi-instrumentalist, then a songwriter recording demo’s in my dad’s living room, then an audio engineering student, and now a part time freelance audio engineer, my “music life” has certainly undergone a metamorphosis since it’s inception.
My engineering and studio career however, really only took off when I began post secondary study for audio engineering. I didn’t particularly begin well, although I was top student in my class. Not due to any lack of drive or skill, but mostly because I didn’t really have a cohesive vision of exactly what I wanted to accomplish. I was fortunate enough to be able to go through with the education courtesy of worker’s comp after breaking my back in the log home industry, and because of that there was definitely a bit of pressure from the administrative end to “get me through the system”. Thus, upon the completion of my degree I launched my own production business without a very well structured business plan or model.
I learned a lot in my first few projects that really helped me to grow, to learn what to do and also what not to do as an engineer, and eventually I got hooked up engineering with another local studio, Sunflower Studios.
Since then I’ve found a much better strategy to be in the land of freelance. It allows me to be passionate about my work, without the hassle of trying to manage large amounts of overhead. While I’ll always have and do business through my own production studio (more on that later), I certainly love doing freelance work. Further, having a company listed under the government as well as a stellar website designed by my good friend Pat Dryburgh gives me an excellent platform from which to pursue both personal projects as well as to market myself and my services as a freelancer.
Which leads me the news for the day. Over this past week I cemented agreements with 1202 Studios in Barrie. This studio is “new” to the city of Barrie. New in the fact that there is new management and a fresh vision, but it also has a bit of history. This studio is located right downtown on Toronto Street, and was formerly known as “DreamBay” Studios in the 90’s and early 2000’s. Due to local construction, a scattered vision and poor management the studio eventually went under and sold out to a music school who use it’s various environments for lessons. Really a shame because this is the nicest facility north of Toronto. In fact, it rivals the acoustics, structure and design of many top level studios within Toronto and beyond. Double walls, angles galore, RPG diffusors, double doors, live floors, isolation booths, vaulted ceilings, you name the acoustic treatment, this facility has it. The place is MADE for sound and is akin to the recording studios you see on TV and in the movies.
The manager of 1202 Studios saw the opportunity and is in the process of helping the music school to find a better suited location for their needs. Renting the facility part time, the studio has had more business than the manager can keep up with. Prior, he was managing and engineering on his own but before long it was clear that he needed a dedicated engineer to work sessions and allow him to set himself up for growth, move beyond music and into other audio fields such as post production.
After some extensive dialogue and working some sessions this week I’m thrilled to announce I’m part of the 1202 team as freelance audio engineer. I’m really excited about the vision and future of this “new” studio to the Barrie area.
Don’t forget about my own production company though.. a post on that to follow, as well as more details on 1202.
