Aspiring musicians are now able to record their songs at the Stanley A. Milner Library.
Two soundbooths with microphones, an iMac with recording software (GarageBand, Ableton, Reason), two guitars and a bass are available in the EPL Makerspace. Anyone with a library card — which is free to sign up for — can use the equipment. Musicians can also bring their own instruments.
“This is a place for people who don’t have access to the technology and want to jam or make recordings,” says Peter Schoenberg, manager of digital literacy and web services for the Edmonton Public Library. “The idea is letting people get started with that first album, that first track. It all aligns beautifully with the entrepreneurial/creative mix that the city wants to do and be.”
The soundbooths could even encourage some performers to get involved with EPL’s other musical initiative, Capital City Records. The website, set to launch in April, will offer free streams and downloads of Edmonton music.
The soundbooths were officially unveiled on Thursday morning, but musicians have been using them for the past two or three weeks. The Makerspace, which opened in 2014, also includes 3D printers, Macs, PCs, games consoles and a green screen for filmmakers.
David Rauch – the man behind OpenPianoYEG – plays around in the new EPL Makerspace soundbooths at the Stanley Milner Library. All photos by: Fish Griwkowsky.
