okay. this is completely hypothetical. just a question of what you all would do if you had nothing but your playing equipment, (i.e. drums, bass, guitars, live amps) say you come upon $3000. you and/or your fellow band assholes, er mates want to cut a decent record.
how would you spend this $3000. i know it's not jack shit, that's why i want to know where you're priorities stand. please itemise (sp?)

have fun.

oh and you don't have ANY mics even for vocals.

i'd get in the van and drive to chicago and spend a week making a record at electrical - it'll sound way better than whatever you do at home! moreover you'll learn a lot from the place and meet some cool people. except greg and russ. and intern_8088. and john. i don't know steve well enought to comment. no wait, they're cool i guess. just kidding, but really - besides actually buying whatever mics and such, you still need the most important thing - which is experience and knowledge. the people at electrical clearly have tons of this - much much more than you or i - and that will take you and your band a while to figure out.

for $3000 you could make an amazing record at electrical [assuming your songs are amazing], or buy a whole bunch of mediorce stuff and start learning about recording at home and in a while you might make as good of a sounding record. or, maybe you could get a cassette 4 track and a couple of 57s for a couple hunded - demo your stuff, and do a lot of pre-production on your own, then do some time there.

but, it's all up to you. i spend way too much on mics and other crap while waiting to make the next record there because i have OCD.

however - it's a totally different question if you're asking - "i want to start building my studio in the hopes that someday i'll make a great record on my own - where should i start?" is that an investment (monetarily and emotionally) you're willing to make?

although, i should add that the straw that broke the camels back for me getting a bunch of recording stuff was in order for me to do demos for recording at electrical. now it's kind of taken a life of its own and snowballed.

best of luck though!

I was going to say that if you're asking I assume it's because you don't know anyone locally to do it, and since Electrical is cheaper than Sunset, Ocean Way, and Abbey Road, I'd agree with Nick. I happen to be in NC. Give me a shout.

Chris Garges

actually was honestly just a hypothetical. i'm not planning on building a studio or start a business. i'm moving to nashville in august so they'll be places to lay tracks down and we'll also be close as hell to chicago to possibly go in for some sessions at electrical.

it seriously was a hypothetical. i just thought it'd be fun to see what people like. i love professional studios but i'm a fan of "home" recording also. i guess i should have posted this at tape op instead.


p.s. for $3000 i'd agree with you both. i'd just got to Electrical.

I would go south to Atlanta to Zeroreturn studio.. killer place and cheap.. AND Mr. Albini has done records there.
http://www.zeroreturnstudios.com

Neve Console, Studer and more.. check it out.. though I would love to go to electrial too.. it's a win win thing. ya know..

Do the Astromen own and operate that place? it seems somewhat inspired by Electrical...