Keeping Your Studio Safe and Secure

You may run a recording studio as a side project or a prime source of income, but your facility likely contains valuable recording equipment, computer monitors, musical instruments and data storage devices. After making a significant investment in outfitting the studio, some owners hesitate to spend more on safeguards and security measures. However, a pricey security overhaul is much cheaper than the replacement costs for damaged or stolen equipment. Whether you own a small recording studio on your property or a fully stocked facility in the commercial district, you can use the following methods to protect your studio and ensure your clients’ safety.

Electrical Safeguards

Electrical storms, natural disasters and accidental voltage increases can cause a power surge that damages electronic equipment. In some areas, minor power surges can occur up to 100 times a month. To protect your recording equipment, you can use home surge protection. Unlike power strips, home surge protection installations cover your entire building from power surges. Another invaluable tool for safeguarding your equipment is a power conditioner. Power conditioners adapt the utility company’s AC power flow to work more efficiently with specific electronic equipment. The devices moderate the voltage, reduce the floor noise and act as a buffer during a power surge. If you have a considerable number of electronic devices, you may have to purchase several power conditioners to protect all of them. You can plan to spend between $100 to $600 for each conditioner depending on its capabilities.

Location Planning and Advertising

You may be unable to move your studio if it’s in a high-crime location, but you can make minor renovations to ensure your property is safe. Criminals often target studios because they’re aware of the fortune of recording equipment inside. The most secure studios are nondescript buildings that blend in with the surrounding environment. Unlike other businesses that want their facilities to stand out and draw their customers in, your studio should be as plain as possible and should not include flashy signs or advertisements. DIY studio owners often construct their studios in a backyard or garden to give their studios a rustic appearance that resembles a small workshop or tool shed. Stealth is essential for studio owners, and you can keep the building’s intentions secret by refraining from boasting to neighbors and printing advertisements that don’t include an address.

Security Systems

Your best protection from burglaries or vandalism is a robust security system. Reinforced doors with premium security locks, glazed windows, security cameras, motion-activated lights and gravel walkways will deter criminals from an easy entry into your studio. Sealing your windows with an acoustic glaze and installing shatterproof glass panels will not only keep criminals out but will improve the acoustics inside the building and prevent sound from escaping. Security cameras should be installed in several locations to minimize blind spots, but they need to be hidden to avoid drawing attention to the building. For the walkways and perimeter around the studio, you can add gravel to provide a noisy approach and alert you to wandering strangers.

Online Security

Your studio’s website is an essential part of marketing to new clients, but you should only include a phone number and email address as your contact information. Use a PO box as your address to keep your location safe from potential criminals and install a premium security program to protect your sensitive data from hackers.

Warranties and Insurance Policies

Although no security method is 100% effective, you can safeguard your equipment by purchasing extended warranties in case your property is damaged. Most manufacturers offer warranties that extend two to four years beyond the original warranty. Damaged property can be repaired or replaced with a warranty, but you’ll need insurance to protect your studio from a burglary. Contact an insurance agent to get an appraisal of your property after installing a security system. You’ll get a cheaper insurance rate if your property is protected by security measures.

With a few minor improvements and a significant investment in security, you can protect your studio and continue to record incredible music without any worries.