What makes good music spaces?

Monster Studios

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Sick of visiting a practice room where the gear looks like it's been pulled from a skip?

Tired of using a dingy practice room that smells like a cesspit?

No longer want to wear three pairs of gloves and a parka coat in the winter?

Well get a load of this. We followed hundreds of music rehearsal spaces' websites and Facebook pages to see what else was on offer. This article takes the best of the lot and distills our findings in an easy to follow summary. We didn't compare prices but rather grouped common offers to create three proposed levels to give an idea of the range of services available to a rehearsing musician. The more services you require the higher the cost.

We were not able to visit the spaces in person so we wholly relied on how well they presented themselves on the internet. To start with we took the perspective of a rehearsing musician.

Sensible Music

Putting on a good performance comes down to good preparation. Hence, music rehearsal spaces play a major role in the preparation of live and recorded music.

Of course, the equipment on offer can be a major factor in what makes a good music rehearsal space. However, there are big differences in how spaces operate, contributing to their survival:

• Many spaces offer a recording facility, a shop and cafe

• Some spaces put on gigs or rent PA to supplement their income

• Spaces with a small number of practice rooms often struggle to survive

• In the US, tenants of lockouts often sub-let their space to recoup their rent

• Also in the US, huge multi-site facilities with hundreds of practice rooms offer permanent lockouts

  
  

The live event production industry publication, Total Production International, has held the TPi awards in London each February since 2002.

The event attracts over 1,400 people from all corners of the live music and entertainment business, to acknowledge the achievements of those working within it. It hosts a sponsored category "Favourite Rehearsal Facility" with voting opening in November each year and any rehearsal spaces can be entered.

Brixton Hill Studios

Basic Level

At the most basic level most musicians would be happy with a practice room that is:

• well lit

• warm and dry

• some soundproofing

• open till late in the evening

• basically clean (vacuumed regularly)

• near to a clean WC with running water

• safe and secure (fire escape, fire alarm light)

• easily bookable by phone, email and/or website

• full of accessible power sockets round the walls

• nearby to good public transport links and/or parking

• big enough to work in with ease - for a 4-5 piece band

• providing basic refreshments such as tea & coffee (some spaces may charge)

• reasonably priced - cheapest is not always the best, and you get what you pay for

  
  

Yellow Bean Studios

Often music rehearsal spaces advertise the dry hire cost of the practice room, meaning no amps, no drum kits, no mics, sometimes no PA. All these items can be chargeable extras. You may have your own mics, drum kit and amps to use, in which case a dry hire may be the most economical option. But if you want all the gear supplied as part of the deal, then what seems the best price can soon escalate.

Spaces that rent gear in often require the hirer to collect and set it up. To unpack and set up a drum kit can take up to 20 minutes. Some spaces require it all broken down again. This process can lose you the best part of an hour. It is a good idea to check exactly what comes as part of the deal.

East Valley Rocks Music

Equipped Level

At an equipped level most musicians would be happy with a practice room that has:

• seating such as chairs and/or a sofa

• a well maintained 5 piece drum kit (snare & cymbals cost extra)

• guitar amps rated at 50–100w and bass amps at 100w as a minimum

• basic recording facilities for reference purposes to help your development

• a PA system to hear a vocal clearly rated at 1000w or more with mic stands

• storage facilities to keep your music gear at the space to reduce loading times

• microphones such as the ubiquitous Shure SM58 or the Sennheisser Evolution series

• soundproofing on the walls/ceiling to reduce reverberation, reflections & flutter echoes

  
  

Some spaces charge an extra hour if a hirer is one minute late leaving the room, or double time in 15-minute units. Some may charge for room cleaning. Whilst it is good manners to clear up your mess, it is always worth asking about the space’s get-in/out policy.

Apache Road Studios

Additional Features

There are more features musicians may want according to their work, instruments and working methods. In addition to a basic workspace, they may wish to have some or all the following additional features (in no particular order):

• lighting rig

• air conditioning

• raised stage area

• floor wedge monitors

• access to wifi and/or broadband

• space to run education workshops

• car parking close to entrance of room

• a small shop to purchase consumables

• help to promote your gigs and releases

• reception, administration support and facilities

• ground floor room access to ease load in/out or has a lift

• attention to detail to make your rehearsal more pleasurable

• a larger performance or showcase space, perhaps with mirrors

• a space that encourages inter-band networking through its social media sites

• informal relaxation and social space to break out, take refreshments and chat

• resource base such as a noticeboard with information on opportunities, vacancies, etc

  
  

A good rehearsal space should provide you exclusive access to your selected practice room and its facilities with no distractions such as people walking in and out interrupting your productivity. Ideally your practice room will not double up as a live room in a recording studio - the space will make more money from a recording session and may cancel your rehearsal booking.

The Rooms Rehearsal Studios

The Four Hates

Those who run a music rehearsal space are responsible for the physical upkeep and day-to-day management of the premises which may include cleaning smoking, parking and storage areas. Insurances such as public liability and observing health & safety requirements all add to the cost in running a music rehearsal space.

Before you book a practice room ask to have a look round while it is not in use to avoid the four hates:

1. Members hate travelling - ensure the space is located centrally

2. Hate having a faulty or under-powered PA – check with a quick mic test

3. Hate hearing another band in the next room - check it has good soundproofing

4. Musicians hate being roadies – find a space with ground floor access and no stairs

   
   

Remember, professional bands pay extra for a larger room, good quality PA and extras such as foldback, fridge in room, whiteboard, chill out lounge etc.

Many spaces provide additional services in developing their business. They can include:

• recording studio

• teaching

• gig promoter

• repair shop

• instrument and music gear retailer

• live music venue

• cafe

• video studio

  
  

Stayfree Music

Finally the attitude or culture of the place is crucial. Musicians want to feel they are dealing with people who are into music making on a professional level. They want to rub shoulders with other musicians, coming and going, who take their music just as seriously. They want to deal with a rehearsal space manager who smoothes the way and makes sure the toilets are reasonably clean. Oh, and they want tea and coffee making facilities with mugs on hand that are not cracked.

And of course, they want the customary Persian rug strategically placed in the centre of the room to finish off the final look of the room.

So, it's not just the equipment, but so many more things can make a good music rehearsal space.

More information

• London Rehearsal Studios and what to look out for

• Deciding On A Rehearsal Studio