Monthly practice room, or hourly studio time?

[Adwex]

Just curious about your thoughts and experiences on this...the band I recently joined/formed has been practicing weekly in a decent size studio, 2 (sometimes 3) hours @$30/hr. split 5 ways ($12 each). Since I much prefer to use my own amp rig, I've been lugging it every week (the rack is heavy, and the studio is upstairs).

We negotiated a deal on a small, monthly room for $425/month. The room is small, and it'll cost about double what the studio costs, but we can leave the equipment there, and we can use the room all we want without watching the clock (2 hours/week isn't enough time).

Ok, the pros and cons are obvious I know...double the $ for a small room with no PA (singer will have to buy one), but flexible access and no lugging heavy equipment. What would you do?

 

[el84]

No load time, plus no set up time = more time to practice. You're also more likely to practice more than once per week if it's easier to get everyone in a room, ready to go. I say any serious band needs a home. If you're just doing it for occasional fun, then go hourly.

 

[LookerBob]

$30/hr is insane... some studios don't charge that much to *record* you.

I think you would get your money's worth... thought $425 seems expensive, I guess you are in a much more expensive market than I am.

 

[ES345]

I never really thought about the term garage band until a couple of years ago, ( this was in the '50's) so here i go dating myself, we never called ourselves (never heard the term) a garage band but that is where we practiced, my friends aunt loved hearing our music and we used her garage, no cost and all the lemonade, pasta and choclate chip cookies we could eat. We also paracticed in my uncle's backyard, and the drummer's basement (my cousin). Times have changed, too bad.

peace:note

 

[MikeScalf]

I may not have a lot of experience in many areas, but this one I know about. I was the drummer in a band here in Houston(rhythm guitarist are a dime a dozen here) for a few years and we had a practice room. We started out in my house. I have a living room/ dining room setup in my house where it's one large room. I loved it because I didn't have to move my drum kit. Eventually moved (at the request of my neighbors) to the garage studio of our lead guitarist. Although it was sound proof, it was also a single car garage converted to a studio, so it was VERY cramped. We finally sucked it up and rented a rehersal room. It was a 20x25 room with carpet on the floor and carpet insulation on the walls. It cost $400 a month and was well worth it. We were able to start practicing 3-4 days a week since there was no set up time, we got more out of our time. The only things that were taken home was the guitars. They would walk in, plug in, and fire up the PA, I'd climb behind the drums and we were ready. It will save your minds, backs, and will promote more quality rehersal time by not having to worry about the clock. Some places cost more, some less. It was the best thing we ever did, and we had the agreement that the gigs payed for it. Each month we would take the price of the room out of the first gig so we didn't have to worry about it. Just make sure security it up to your standards before sighning up. Some will be better than others, and you'll pay for every luxury. Hope you find what you need. In the day it was all about the garage band, but now, unless you live in a rural area, it's not usually accepted anymore. People are quick to call the cops to shut you down. Sad, but true. Good luck in what ever you and your bandmates decide.
:2zone

 

[Dave G]

Many years ago my band was renting hourly. We ended up renting an office in an industrial area for $150 a month and used it for rehearsal. The landlord was totally cool with it. The only limitation was the we could not rehearse until after 5:00 pm Monday-Friday but we had it all weekend long which was fine since we all worked day jobs anyway.

Also, everyone else invested in their equipment, the singer should invest in a PA.