Anyone who has their own band will know that it is hard to find good places to rehearse.

Renting a rehearsal space is often too expensive and gate crashing a band member’s family home doesn’t tend to go down too well most of the time. If this is the case then why not create your own space so that your band can get some proper rehearsal time in without interrupting anybody else or have them constantly interrupting you.

You will need to have access to your own space that you can transform; be it a garage or a converted loft and, while it seems like an expensive route to take, it could turn out to be a worthy investment that you can look back on with pleasure when your band hits the big time. And just imagine always having somewhere to jam and not just anywhere, somewhere of your own creation.

Acoustics

In most cases, the main reason why nobody will let you rehearse in their home is because of the noise. Nobody in their right mind would invite a bunch a musicians to practise on their property if it meant that they would have to wear earplugs for the duration of their stay. However, there are ways of making your new rehearsal studio as soundproof as possible so that no eardrums need to be harmed in the making of your music.

The easiest way to do this, especially if your space is small or away from anywhere else, is to collect a large number of egg boxes and place them on the inside walls of the room. These will help to absorb some of the sound and keep it from escaping outside. Alternatively, if your potential studio is a little larger, or your music a little louder, you may want to take more industrial measures. Some acoustic testing from a reliable company will be able to determine how well your space holds the sound. You can then work with the company and their results to do some acoustic design to improve this.

Personalisation

If you are going to spend a lot of time in this space then you don’t want it to be dull and drab. Instead, you need somewhere that will inspire you to make good music and motivate you to keep going until you’ve made it. Decorate the inside of your space with bright colours and pictures of your favourite music idols of past and present; in the hope of channelling some of their creative energy. You could even plaster some of your favourite lyrics on the walls.

Other personal touches can be made to make the place really feel comfortable and be somewhere you want to spend time. Some comfy chairs for when you’ve been standing up all day are a good choice, as is a fridge to keep any well-needed refreshments close to hand. You could also add a white board to one wall to use during brainstorm sessions and to pan set lists.

Security

Wouldn’t it be great if you and your band members didn’t have to keep carrying your instruments and equipment to and from your rehearsal space? Well for this to be the case then you will need to make sure that your space is really secure. If your studio is a former shed or garage then a roller shutter door may be a good option as they are very sturdy and secure but don’t decrease the amount of space inside the room.

You could even install a pin code system so that you can regulate exactly who can enter the studio. If you are planning on keeping really expensive equipment inside then you might want to consider installing some cameras or an alarm. That way you can have real peace of mind that your important belongings are going to be kept safe and sound.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 

Chris Mayhew writes about acoustic testing on behalf of Air Testing Solutions. As well as air pressure and permeability testing, this reliable company offers acoustic testing and design services to help create a great rehearsal space. Visit their website today to see how they can help your quest for the perfect self-made studio.

Related Article:
How To Make Homemade Musical Instruments