650-700 ft sq should be fine for us. We don't require a lot of large
equipment to do our thing and a couple of Metroracks would suffice as
our stores department. Thankfully due to working for three companies
which were seriously into dock-to-stock, I've got a handle on how to
keep inventory to a minimum and get it here exactly when it's needed
so it's not hanging around taking up room. Nothing sits here too long
accept for PCBs and faceplates, and those don't take much room at all.
So this space should fit four of use somewhat comfortably.
I'm really excited about getting the hell out of the house. After four
years of this, it'll be nice to get a dining room table back. Hell,
it'll be nice to get use of the kitchen sink back, which has for as
many yers been vcovered my a large piece of MDF that holds my metal
punch and grindng wheel.
It'll also be nice hanging out wth the other guys who are going in
this space co-op, all of which I've known for over 15 years. Jerry
Steckling (JSX Audio) used to rent space from a recording studio named
Milagro which was owned by a guy I've known since high school. Jerry
then went up to become quite big shot at Skywalker Sound for a number
of years before breaking out on his own again to make large scale
speaker systems and precision 2 and five channel amplifiers. I did
his logo waaay back in '91 before we went to Skywalker. The two guys
who own the recording studio that we're moving in with bought the
facilities from Milagro, so there's that conneciton. Chris Minto was
a high-zoot recording engineer (did most of the Santana albums in their glory days) who used to book a lot of time at Milagro, who I worked with on a Rita Coolidge album in the 90's for a
ripped-us-all-off-including-Rita record company called Caliper. Chris
then went on to become the head of M&K's pro division where I ended up
working as well, and s now the US CEO for the newly-reformed M&K who is one of the companies in the co-op. Another bit of trivia, Chris is married to Van Morrison's ex who he named a song after. Possibly you've heard of the tune "Brown Eyed Girl"? That's her!
But wait, there's more: Sam Hernandez, who works with me now, used to
work with me at M&K and knows Chris quite well. Brian Ferdirko, who sometimes works with me now not only studied with Jerry when Steckling was teaching audio engineering at Dick Grove Music Workshops before his Milagro days, he was also employed by Milagro for a number of years and worked with Brad and Tim as well at Backstage Entertainment, who are the two guys who are doing the small studio that's part of this coop.
One more knot in the tangle: Mario Salinas, who used to own Milagro who I was in a band with in friggin; high school, married the best friend of an ex-girlfriend of his. Her friend, who is still Mario's wife's best friend has for the last decade been dating one of the two partners from the recording studio that's moving in with us.
So one happy family of guys I've known for a long time who I'd trust
with my life (and my factory!). I've had my share of good-turned-funky business partnerships, this one looks like it'll be another story altogether.
Needless to say I'm really looking forward to it.
- P
--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, Doug Wellington <doug@...>
wrote:
>
> > I spoke awhile back about moving into a dedicated facility, and it
> > looks like this going to happen in January as there has been more
> > discussions recently from the individuals which were in on the deal.
> > When this happens, we'll have 700 square feet, and enough room for up
> > to five people.
>
> Very cool Peter! Good luck with your move...
>
> Doug
>
> P.S. Heehee, I'm out of space myself, but I'm one guy in 600 sq
ft...! Sigh... (I couldn't survive in California - don't know how
you do it...)
>