No More Excuses, It’s Studio Time

Jenn Cohen | November 1, 2011 | 0 Comments

by Sarah Borden

Whoa. Did I see that right? Did that sign just say ‘garage band … classes’? I actually had to circle the block the other day as I was driving down Mulberry to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. Sure enough, the second time around I got a closer look, and not only does the sign offer garage band classes, it was in front of Studio Time, a new business whose mission is to provide the local creative community with access to high-quality equipment and production facilities.

Finally! Fort Collins has a recording studio that is targeted toward local musicians, with accessible rates (even for the starving artist) and booking flexibility. Studio Time turns self production on its head by bridging the gap between music and the visual arts. The photography and videography studios are available for you to create professional photos and videos that don’t begin and end with a shot of your armpit as you hit the record button.

Fort Collins was chosen to host this new type of studio service because the creative community is growing in all aspects, be it music, visual, or computer arts, and the brains behind Studio Time wanted to find a way to support that community. The driving force behind the whole idea is the Bradley siblings, John, Amy, and Aaron. The Bradley parents are both into athletics, so in the ironic way that fate seems to favor, all three siblings lean more towards the creative side. Collectively they have studied studio art, printmaking, photography, and graphic arts along with music. But it was their dad who had the idea to make all that accessible in one place.

Walking in the place feels like a cozy café with more mixing boards and giant flat screen TVs. The wall space, not dedicated to technology, displays the works of local artists for free, and coffee is included, too. The modern furniture is offset by European antiques for a polished and comfortable feel. The main floor is dedicated to the big room, a place for meeting, brainstorming, parties, and classes.

The heart of the operation is on the second floor; four rooms that are a playground for the creative mind. The photo and video studios offer the use of backdrops (including a green screen), lighting, and one of the fully-loaded iMacs. Studio Time also provides the option of renting a high-quality camera and/or photographer, handy if you want an HD album cover or profile pic.

The recording studio is perfect for a small band or an individual musician. There’s just enough room for a center seat and a couple of couches, or a drum kit with a couple of guitars. Renting the studio by the hour gets you access to the equipment and all of the editing and production software. If you finish with the equipment before the iMac, you can just head over to the lab and rent use of the computer, so you don’t have to worry about paying for what you don’t need.

If you don’t know how to use the equipment or the software, it’s ok, you’re covered. Studio Time offers classes ranging from the traditional arts to using professional software like the Adobe suite, and even, it’s true, garage band classes. They will soon be adding classes on Sound Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro. Shane Miles is the head of training, and wants to offer a variety of classes to really enhance the work of local artists. If there is something you want to learn that they don’t currently cover, talk to him about it. This is a place that wants to respond to the needs of the creative community.

Even if you choose not to take the classes, you can hire the minds working there to help you fill in the gaps in the production and post-production process to end up with a superior result. The creative coordinators offer graphic design, web development, sound mixing, film, and photography support.

Studio Time also hosts events and parties. They offer packages of varying levels, which makes it a great location for a jam session, photo shoot, or private party. The recording studio is hooked up with karaoke, great for collecting blackmail material for your friends. Open-mic nights are common occurrences, and an ideal place to start sharing your music.

Check out their FaceBook page to find information on contests, as well. One of the goals of Studio Time is to play an active part in helping local musicians grow, and competitions are a great way to gain attention. Currently they are running the A Cappella Sing-Off, a contest for high school groups with a $500 grand prize. Log on to view the entries and vote for a winner!

So no more excuses. No more living room recordings with doors slamming and roommates talking in the background. No more static-y webcam videos. No more photos of you with your arm around the camera like it’s your high school movie date. This is Northern Colorado, we’re better than that, and Studio Time has just given us the way to prove it.

Studio Time is located at 325 E Mulberry St. in Fort Collins. Stop by to check the place out and talk with a creative coordinator, or call 970-682-2668 to set up an appointment or book some time. Follow them on FaceBook.com/StudioTimeFC to keep updated on new contests and events. And don’t forget once you’re done making your very own music video to upload it to LocalMC.com to start showing the world how awesome you are!