The ability to run a functional recording studio in one’s own home is becoming increasingly easy and cost efficient. Many IAR students are interested in having their own studios for personal as well as commercial uses. On Thursday March 27th, faculty member and engineer Mario Salvati (engineer on platinum selling album Electric Youth by Debbie Gibson among other achievements) conducted one of IAR’s DIY (“Do It Yourself”) seminars, “Building Your Own Studio.” Mario has built many studios for professionals and amateurs and each has had its own unique set of characteristics and needs. With the potential for limitless situations, Mario has narrowed the entire build-out planning process to two questions, “How late do you want to work?” and “How loud do you want to get?” The answers will determine everything that comes after: concept, isolation, tuning, monitoring, construction and ultimately cost. Mario provided constant examples throughout the lecture, “I built a studio in a building in a Manhattan business district and the guy was planning on working late. Since no one was around at night, he could get as loud as he wanted and didn’t have to spend as much time and money on sound isolation.” Students were given a thick pamphlet of instructions with extensive drawings and diagrams to help them understand some of the more complex issues. Mario explained how some courses in IAR’s curriculum came directly into play, such as frequency response and monitoring sound. Students used the seminar as a chance to ask a professional about their personal situations and problems, and Mario eagerly responded with ideas about what materials to use, where best to get them, and what issues may arise