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Let your inner Mick Jagger loose at Mumbai’s lesser known jam rooms
Can’t afford Sitara Studio? Here’s where you should be jamming with your band.
Go live
Benchmark Studios is a live room that mimics the stage experience, says administrator Judith Lasrado. “There’s a sound mixer so you know exactly how you would sound on stage, there are also floor monitors that help you hear your own voice, like the ones in live concerts.”
This acoustically treated soundproof space in Thane opened in January and offers free wifi, has a pantry and band gear is available in case yours gives out. “You can buy guitar strings, drum sticks and a cup of coffee,” says Lasrado, laughing.
Sujit Deoli, 22, an engineering student from Mulund, is part of a band called Acoustic Swaggers and jams here every week with five classmates. “The studio ensures a sound check before we begin,” he says. “The best part about performing here is that we have no neighbours we are troubling. The equipment is all top-notch too, and you can use it at a reasonable price.”
Become a YouTube star
Want to compose a song from scratch or sing along to your favourite tunes? Head to the five-year-old Bread Butter Jam Studio in Chembur. “We allow you to make videos to go with your compositions and we have all the amenities of a sound production room,” says manager Krishik Nair. “You can walk in with a track in mind and walk out with a music video.”
The studio has instruments you can borrow, a team of videographers and editors to help you record. “We also have a social media team to help you promote your video on YouTube,” says Nair.
Spin that disc
PlugNPlay, Goregaon, lets you play with its DJ consoles and computer systems to mix music to match the beat in your head.
The 250-sq-ft jam room also lets you record and perform. “We have guitar amps, a big mixer and a five-piece drum kit, among other instruments,” says founder Harsh Mishra. “You can also shoot a video of yourself performing.”
Emkaur, 26, a DJ from Malad who performs at gigs across the city, has been rehearsing here since last year. “The room has big speakers so I can play the loudest music. It has mics in place and controllers that help mix tracks,” she says. “The ambience is warm and welcoming too.”
Go pro
At the Cotton Press Studio in Elphinstone Road, you get all the perks of a professional space, at a knock-off rate. This is actually a recording studio that is let out as a jam room when not being used by pros.
“We have a spacious 12,000-sq-ft live room,” says cofounder Jehangir Jehangir. “We also have a control room for composition of tracks, and a vocal booth where music is recorded. The studio aims to take you from rehearsing to recording in no time, with its technology and trained videographers.”
The studio also offers post-production services, at additional cost.
Pocket-friendly
Tank 9 in Mahim aims to be affordable to all. The two-year-old studio offers its own musical instruments, free advice and free wifi. “The booking is hassle-free and we have often got friendly tips on how to maintain our gear,” says Sid Ahuja, 20, a Commerce student from Bandra who jams here regularly with two friends. All three are aspiring guitarists. “The team also helps us record our music and promote it online,” Ahuja says.
The studio is a playground for YouTubers such as Desi Swag, says Aarti Koduri, who is part of the management team.
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