Monarch Studios is a local recording studio in Vancouver. Their goal is to offer the lowest rates possible while simultaneously offering access to the best recording equipment. You are guaranteed to have an excellent experience when working with them. We connected with Founder, Tom Dobrzanski to learn more.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Monarch Studios – A recording studio in Vancouver specializing in music production
What made you want to do this work?
I started this work in 2001 which was a very interesting time in the evolution of recording technology. Computers had just become powerful enough to be able to replace analogue and digital tape formats. With a shiny new computer and a small collection of recording equipment, I began recording demos for local bands. Some of those bands ended up becoming quite successful (Said The Whale, Hey Ocean!, The Zolas), and I wanted to grow with them. In 2010 we found a larger space to expand the studio, and by 2012 renovations were complete and we were open.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
At the very start, we were one of the first studios offering affordable recording in Vancouver (also the first recording studio with a website!). Today we continue to offer incredible value to musicians keeping rates as low as possible while offering access to top of the line recording equipment and world-class experience.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
We work on all genres of music, whether Rock, Pop, Hip Hop, R&B, World, Jazz, or Classical, our team of producers and engineers has the expertise to record it.
How does your business make money? How does it work? We rent the studio either by the day or by the hour and also offer additional services like providing a Producer, or access to an inventory of highly desirable vintage recording instruments.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
We are located on Commercial Street in East Vancouver where we are lucky enough to be joined by amazing restaurants, cafes, and art gallery spaces.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
Every recording studio in Vancouver has its own feel, and their engineer have their own specialities. I don’t feel like we are in competition with anybody. An artists only need to view the spaces and find the right recording engineer that will make them feel comfortable and bring out the best in their performances. We strive to create a safe recording space where everyone is welcome to record their art and our clients having a great experience is as important to us as the finished product.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
There are so many great parts about being a producer, recording engineer and running a studio. When I’m in the studio I get to experience being musically creative, using technical equipment, and also creating the right emotional space for everyone to perform. On the days I am running the studio, I get to work with our amazing team of engineers, connecting them with the projects they are best suited for. The worst part? As far as jobs go, we are extremely fortunate as many people dream of this career… but the nature of the job is we are inside, often working long hours seated and on a screen. To have a long career in this business, it’s important to find balance by keeping up important relationships and making time for exercise.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
I’m not sure it’s a joke, but “the recording engineer’s biggest fear is one day everyone will figure out they have no idea what they are doing”. It’s an exaggeration but because every day is new artists, new instruments, new challenges, it’s not always predictable or replicable, so I often share the anecdote with newer engineers intimidated by this job that the imposter syndrome never fully goes away.
Where can we follow you?
Best place to see the studio is www.monarchstudios.com, and for the latest, Instagram @monarchstudios.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
Kokomo (Vegetarian Restaurant on our street). They’ve been keeping us going on some very long days this year!
