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REHEARSAL SESSION ETIQUETTE

PAYMENT: Pay BEFORE practice or BEFORE load-out.  One person from each band should collect money from all the bandmates, then pay the total session or membership fee at once.  Please do not pay individually, one at a time, for your portion of the fee.  The clock is ticking on hourly sessions until you have paid.  You are welcome to chill in the lounge after rehearsal as long as you like, but pay for the room first so you will not be charged session time. 

LOAD-IN: Load amps/drums from the GROUND LEVEL loading door past studio 5.  Loading door is self-service.  Close up immediately after use--never leave door open and unattended.  You are welcome to remain parked at the loading door (parallel to building), but never block the entrance to prevent it being used by other bands.  Use the equipment carts provided, but please do not leave them blocking doors for people to trip over. 

MICS/ MIC CABLES: Available at the front desk, up to 3 free per session.  Return after use, with each cable individually wrapped, not jumbled together.  Additional mics and assorted cables can be rented if needed.

TICKETS:  Purchase at the front desk.  Redeem in the lounge.  It's set up like a carnival.  Please purchase in advance instead of as-you-go.  Tickets can be redeemed ANYTIME...for equipment rental, beverages, sandwiches, chips, earplugs, batteries, strings, sticks, blank CDs...ANYTHING we keep in stock.  We prefer selling tickets in quantities of $20 or more if you can afford it.  You can get just 1 at a time, it just makes things flow a little easier if you stock up. 

CLEANUP: Leave room EXACTLY as you found it.  Return chairs, rugs and stands to original location. THANK YOU!

EQUIPMENT:  Treat it with respect!  Get the front desk staff if you need assistance.  DO NOT MOVE SPEAKERS, change OHMS SETTINGS or PLAY SOUND TECH with our gear.  Leave the equipment turned on.  Tell us immediately if something is missing or broken.  DO NOT take ANYTHING out of another studio for use in your rehearsal, not even a mic stand.  Get whatever you need at the front desk.  

CANCELLATIONS:  No penalty with 24-hour notice.  Same day cancellations pay the hourly fee.  A reservation is an agreement between studio and band.  We guarantee you the space you reserve will be held open for your band--not given to the next band who books time.  You guarantee you will pay for the time you reserve on the schedule.  If you abuse this system with too many cancellations or no-shows, you lose reservation privileges.

BOOKINGS: Please talk to your band and get their availability BEFORE you book time, so that you will not have to call back 4x before every appointment.  Please call during opening hours, unless you only need to leave a message.  DO NOT FEAR--97x out of 100 you WILL get your preferred timeslot.  If we cannot fit you in, then it's time for us to build another studio, which we will do. 

HOLIDAYS: Utopia is closed on all major national holidays

 

REASONS TO PRACTICE AT UTOPIA

(why it smokes the drummer's basement)

 

THE SERVICE: The facility constantly improves because rehearsals are the focus of this whole business, not an afterthought or sideline for something else.  We are the ONLY licensed and insured rehearsal hall in St. Louis.  Our membership format set a trend which is now being copied by studios in other cities.  Members of the studio have a great rehearsal spot plus access to a supportive environment dedicated to music---complete with gear storage & rental options and free access to a private lounge for networking, relaxing and conducting all band business. 

 

THE SOUND:  The rehearsal rooms are spacious (18'x18' and 34'x18') with high ceilings, maple floors and acoustically-treated walls.  The rooms were designed as live studios to give a decent impression of what you will actually sound like performing live--not acoustically dead like a recording room, but with sound-deadening applications (staggered beam construction, no vents, double sheetrock, double-insulation), plus acoustic treatments (foam, baffles, acoustic paint) to absorb excess frequency vibrations.  Each studio has it's own individual a/c unit so you control the temperature in your room without sound bleeding over from the next room. 

 

THE EQUIPMENT:  Standard rooms are equipped with a rack-mount PA system, 15" speakers, 3 mics, stands, and mixer.  Rental items available include drum kits, guitar cabs, bass cabs, instruments, cables, isolation gobos and recording mics.  See the equipment list for each room.  See the rental list for details. 

 

THE ENVIRONMENT:  Utopia Studios provide a productive, neutral, and security-conscious environment--a place where live music is revered.  Being here shows that you CARE about your music career.  This is a sanctuary away from the interruptions of the outside world, a place where you can focus on getting the songs tight as opposed to cleaning up after bandmates, setting up a PA, and getting distracted.  This is also a great place to connect with other musicians, plug your shows and albums, and hold video and photo shoots.  There are NO VOLUME RESTRICTIONS and you can play as late, or early, as YOU want.

          

THE AMENITIES:  Private lounge with pool/ping pong/darts/arcade games, equipment rentals, storage lockups,  wireless internet, front desk with staff to assist you, safe private parking lot, ground-level load-in, wall space for your flyers and posters. 

 

THE LOCATION:  3957 Park Ave is centrally-located in midtown St. Louis.  Utopia Studios is right off S. Grand, Hwys 40 & 44.

  

THE CONVENIENCE:  Utopia Studios is a place for you to practice as late as you want, as loud as you want.  Incidental items like strings, sticks and snacks can be purchased at the front desk.  Rent a guitar or amp here if you need to.  Use a fully-equipped room...or not.  Maintain a regular practice schedule...or not.  How you rehearse is up to you and we are here to help.

site designed and maintained by amy harrison, hosted by g0re.net.  contact amy@utopiastl.com