Using a professional music rehearsal space can make all the difference to your band.
In this introduction to the music rehearsal space we explore the definition of such spaces, their purpose, layout and features.
The Music Rehearsal Space
A music rehearsal space is a dedicated acoustic environment. This can be defined by its purpose, layout, furnishings and treatments used to modify the rooms within the space. Most spaces have a number of practice rooms with hire rates determined by room size and extras such as guitar amplifiers. Rooms can vary from a damp cellar to a mirrored hall.
Larger rehearsal spaces tend to be situated in major cities where much of the work for performing musicians take place. Due to the high sound levels they are often located away from residential areas.
Music rehearsal spaces often have relaxation and refreshment areas, with advertisement boards for musicians. Spaces should hold public liability insurance. Many include a recording studio. Unlike a practice room, a recording studio requires a sound engineer to operate the equipment increasing the cost to the user.
Practice rooms
Most practice rooms are cheaper to hire on a weekday than in the evening or at weekends. Industry standard 'backline' electric and bass guitar amps and a drum kit (often without cymbals and snare drum) are usually made available.
In addition to being used as a band practice room, they can also serve different purposes such as:
DJ Room
Drum Room
Live Recording Room
Writing Room
Music Therapy Room
PA System
Practice rooms are designed to keep sound inside. They usually house a PA system set up to produce a balanced sound by amplifying all instruments and sound sources to an equal level using a mixing desk. The amp wattage or power of the PA system varies according to the room size, from the smallest at 200w to a 3Kw rig with floor monitor amps.
Often guitar amplifiers and drum kits can be included in the room hire, along with microphones, mic stands and in some cases a mixing desk and effects units. Extra equipment can be hired in, depending on availability and requirements, adding to the hire rate.
Some rooms have a 'live' recording option operated by band members. Making a live recording or stream of a rehearsal can often be adequate for 'demo' purposes. Some rooms can be large enough to accommodate a small invited audience.
The rehearsing band
If one took an average band to have at least four members: a singer, guitarist, bass player and drummer, then 400 square feet should be sufficient room for them and their equipment. Many bands rehearse at least weekly for four hours duration mostly in the evenings and at weekends. The peak session hire rates reflect this.
Gear storage
Most musicians use the same equipment for rehearsal and live performance. This means musicians often bring their own instruments and equipment.
Some bands have so much 'gear' they cannot move it all at once in a car. Storage can solve this problem. Storage space is offered at the larger music rehearsal spaces and is charged by the amount of space required.
All the stuff that happens in the practice room is what musicians are trying to provide audiences - the excitement of seeing a song created, how the lyrics change and hearing the arrangements come together.
Workers at music rehearsal spaces are often simply never credited despite their hard work in helping musicians to create music. Spaces play a vital role providing a focal point for the work musicians produce, pulling together the diffuse strands of their output and giving them more control.
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