How to Start a Home-Based Recording Studio Business

Joe Shambro is an audio engineer, music producer, and music technology writer from St. Louis, MO. 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. As a recording engineer, he has recorded a diverse portfolio of projects for musicians, corporate, and government clients, from a concert in a bomb-proof bunker at the US Embassy in Amman, Jordan, recording tree frogs in rural Iowa, and capturing the deafening roar of a Space Shuttle launch up-close in high-definition. Joe is also a home recording & music technology writer for The New York Times Company’s About.com property, as well as a contributing writer for EQ Magazine. His work has been featured on many media outlets, including CNN, The Armed Forces Network, and Clear Channel Radio.

• 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 BossHow The Industry Has ChangedWhat Can You Offer?Are Your Skills Up To Par?Balancing Work & FamilyYour Most Valuable Tool: Your Ears Chapter 2: Envisioning Your Business Who Needs You?What Kind of Studio Are You?Producing vs. EngineeringUnderstanding the Studio ProcessTime FrameYour FinancesRole ModelsKnow Your Competition Chapter 3: Writing a Business Plan What’s a Business Plan?Explaining What You DoIt’s All About MarketingOrganization & ManagementAccording to the Law...Fixed Costs, Variable Costs, and Estimated FeesPlan B Chapter 4: Getting Started First Things FirstFinding Your NicheGetting LegalBanking & CreditContractsFinding a Good LawyerMarketing MaterialsYour Resume & Demo Reel Chapter 5: Financial Planning & Management Financing Your DreamInsurance & LicensesBusiness vs. Personal FinancesDon’t Forget Your Taxes...Your Rate: Hourly vs. Flat-Rate? Financing For Your ClientsFull or Part-Time?Knowing When to Quit Chapter 6: Outfit Your Studio Finding Your SpaceCommercial Studio EssentialsRecording Gear: Staying CurrentRoom Acoustics 101Renting & Borrowing GearAnalog or Digital?Making Your Studio Unique Chapter 7: Taxes and Record Keeping Keeping Good RecordsDealing with Employees -- Including YourselfFiling Your TaxesWhen Should You Hire a Tax Service? Chapter 8: Legal & Ethical Issues Music Industry Law 101Intellectual Property Matters: Producer vs. EngineerSoftware PiracyBefore The Check Clears: Holding The MasterClient & Project ConfidentialityNoise Pollution: Know (And Use) The LawAlcohol & Drugs In Your StudioEquipment TheftFair Price vs. “The Hookup”Keeping Client Expectations In Check Chapter 9: Marketing Your Studio All About ExposureYou, As A BrandGo For The Ears First!Social NetworkingBlogsSpecial PromotionsEverybody Likes Something for Free...Finding Government & Corporate WorkWorking The Media Chapter 10: The Internet & E Commerce Your Web SiteCraigslist Paying for Internet Advertising: Is It Worth It?ForumsOnline Client Payment Chapter 11: Training & Certification Staying Relevant How Client Expectations ChangeKeeping Up With The Big GuysStanding Out: Professional Certifications Chapter 12: After Recording: Helping Clients To The Finish Line Mastering: In House or Outsourced?Packaging & ArtworkDigital DistributionStoring Client Masters Chapter 13: Business Endgame Repeat Business & How To Ensure ItWhen to Leave Home: Outsourcing & Buying TimeEmployeesStudio InternsYour Standard of QualityOngoing RoyaltiesSelling Your StudioSetting a Price: Equipment Sale vs. Selling a BusinessLetting Go Appendix A: Resources On The WebAppendix B: Suggested Professional OrganizationsAppendix C: Recommended Listening