UK DJ studio idea

[Ninjastar66]

For years I've complained that in my mid-sized city in the UK. there isn't a DJ studio to book out for an hour-or-so. Pirate studios is the most common chain DJ studio in the UK and is extremely popular in pretty much every mid to major city in the UK, yet there isn't one in my city. I have no doubt that if a small DJ studio opened up in the city near the student areas, it would do incredibly well.

My idea is to potentially rent out an office space/industrial unit and convert it into a DJ studio (with soundproofing to minimise noise nuisance), avaliable to book for students. I'd look into doing promotions with local events companies, whom I have connections with.

Obviously, I'd have to find a unit that would be open to this conversion, which may be the most difficult part. I have a large network/connections in the city so I have no doubt that I'd be able to market it to the right audience. The area has a huge electronic music scene, so part of me thinks that there must be a reason that there isn't a DJ studio here. Nevertheless, I also have a few friends that are very interested in supporting the project financially. The logistical/financial side is still very early doors, but was just looking for opinions on the initial idea.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Welcome to the family.

You seem to be doing the right things, so the best thing is to now bring all of this information together and create a business plan. Take a particular focus on sales and costs, working out how many hours you would need to sell to cover costs and see how viable it still is.

 

[WaveJumper]

Welcome to the forum I am with Paul on this one and also not knowing what the going rate these days for studio time is you really do need to look at the numbers carefully. Would love for you to make this work but operating costs could be considerable especially energy.

Do the students in your location not have the use of facilities on campus. Keep us posted on how this goes and wish you the best of luck.

 

[cjd]

Also potentially a big demand for practice space but beware set-up time. Getting gear in and out, then setup can takes hours itself. Need parking, security and insurance. Plus equipment - not cheap.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I'd start with market research directly addressed to your target audience. Remember that good research goes well beyond 'are you interested?' Into price points and whether they will actually put their hands in their pocket when it comes to it.

I don't know the industry, but I strongly suspect there will be cycles, both daily and monthly.

After that, as suggested, crack on with some detailed projections - the set up costs might scare you!

 

[Ninjastar66]

Welcome to the forum I am with Paul on this one and also not knowing what the going rate these days for studio time is you really do need to look at the numbers carefully. Would love for you to make this work but operating costs could be considerable especially energy.

Do the students in your location not have the use of facilities on campus. Keep us posted on how this goes and wish you the best of luck.

Hi,
Unfortunately, there are no feasible options for students who want to book out a DJ studio, even at the university. Hence why I feel there is such a glaring gap in the market. But like you said, I'd really have to consider the set-up costs and deduce whether its worth it. But thanks for your reply!

 

[Ninjastar66]

Also potentially a big demand for practice space but beware set-up time. Getting gear in and out, then setup can takes hours itself. Need parking, security and insurance. Plus equipment - not cheap.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah equipment is very expensive, but obtainable. Security is also an excellent point that I didn't factor in.

 

[Ninjastar66]

I'd start with market research directly addressed to your target audience. Remember that good research goes well beyond 'are you interested?' Into price points and whether they will actually put their hands in their pocket when it comes to it.

I don't know the industry, but I strongly suspect there will be cycles, both daily and monthly.

After that, as suggested, crack on with some detailed projections - the set up costs might scare you!

Thanks for your reply. Conducting surveys on campus was an initial idea. I think if I did set it up, the price would be interesting to think about- need to charge enough to make a profit, but also need to factor in the fact most students aren't rolling in money.

 

[fisicx]

Excuse my dense question but why does a DJ need a studio?

 

[WaveJumper]

Excuse my dense question but why does a DJ need a studio?

Actually a good question as those I know (DJ's) who work full time on this have their own equipment obviously for gigs but also have mixing facilities in a spare room at home and even have the facility to produce CDs which they sell at events

I think OP needs to do a lot more research on this

 

[DoolallyTap]

How much cash can you get access to and how much of that are you prepared to possibly loose. You need to discover just how much your network will actually invest. A little bit of research will tell you what fitting out and starting up may cost. lease, soundproofing, equipment, marketing everything, £50K, £100K, £200K
Research, more research, Business plan, Cashflow forecast, Profit & Loss forecast, does it work?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Excuse my dense question but why does a DJ need a studio?

Because we are too cool to be spinning the wheels of steel in the garden shed

 

[Porky]

@Ninjastar66
Firstly good on you for trying to make a difference and do something that could benefit youth in your area. I really wish you well with it.

I do however have a few concerns and maybe your plan needs some adjustment:

Rent of the unit could be expensive and I agree with others, do your research to see what your target audience would pay to see if it would be viable?

I know nothing about DJing but can the same space have multiple use, could it be used as a recording studio or maybe somewhere to learn to play instruments, learn the drums? What I’m thinking is if you are paying rent on a unit you need maximum use of it to pay, if not enough that want to DJ all day, can anything else be booked to widen your revenue options?

It feels like a community type project, could you get any local business or individuals to crowd fund the idea to get it started?

Cost of security and staff to watch all the equipment doesn’t get stolen could make the cost too high to be viable, likewise insuring against damage. On costs for example if it you pay £10 an hour to someone to watch the equipment, plus rent, repairs, all other costs would a student pay more than that an hour to use the equipment to deliver you a profit? Or could you have loads of DJs all at once in numerous booths ? This could be why nobody is currently doing it.

Anyhow, much to think about but put your plan together and see how it looks. As I say, the best of luck to you but don’t be dishearten if the numbers don’t come out good for you first time, I would imagine there will be a fair amount of cost here and as you say, students are notorious for not spending much but if this isn’t the right venture now maybe something else will be.

 

[Ninjastar66]

Excuse my dense question but why does a DJ need a studio?

Just because alot of aspiring DJs want to have a go on the best-in-line equipment. Additionally, it's a great thing to do with mates.

 

[Ninjastar66]

Actually a good question as those I know (DJ's) who work full time on this have their own equipment obviously for gigs but also have mixing facilities in a spare room at home and even have the facility to produce CDs which they sell at events

I think OP needs to do a lot more research on this

You say this, but there must be a reason why Pirate studios is in every major city in the UK (bar newcastle, hence my idea). I've personally seen the demand these places get. The target audience isn't necessarily established DJs, but more aspiring ones who dont have access to the equipment

 

[Ninjastar66]

@Ninjastar66
Firstly good on you for trying to make a difference and do something that could benefit youth in your area. I really wish you well with it.

I do however have a few concerns and maybe your plan needs some adjustment:

Rent of the unit could be expensive and I agree with others, do your research to see what your target audience would pay to see if it would be viable?

I know nothing about DJing but can the same space have multiple use, could it be used as a recording studio or maybe somewhere to learn to play instruments, learn the drums? What I’m thinking is if you are paying rent on a unit you need maximum use of it to pay, if not enough that want to DJ all day, can anything else be booked to widen your revenue options?

It feels like a community type project, could you get any local business or individuals to crowd fund the idea to get it started?

Cost of security and staff to watch all the equipment doesn’t get stolen could make the cost too high to be viable, likewise insuring against damage. On costs for example if it you pay £10 an hour to someone to watch the equipment, plus rent, repairs, all other costs would a student pay more than that an hour to use the equipment to deliver you a profit? Or could you have loads of DJs all at once in numerous booths ? This could be why nobody is currently doing it.

Anyhow, much to think about but put your plan together and see how it looks. As I say, the best of luck to you but don’t be dishearten if the numbers don’t come out good for you first time, I would imagine there will be a fair amount of cost here and as you say, students are notorious for not spending much but if this isn’t the right venture now maybe something else will be.

Thanks for the reply. I really like your community idea- I may potentially reach out to local clubs/bars to see if they'd be interested.

 

[fisicx]

Just because alot of aspiring DJs want to have a go on the best-in-line equipment. Additionally, it's a great thing to do with mates.

Can’t they just hire the kit? It’s what I used to do.