New Deal provides missing link

With the help of a bank loan arranged through the New Deal programme, which "cut out five years of scrimping and saving", musician Richard Noble has set up his own production studio in Humberside.

Now in his test trading period on New Deal, Richard is busy bringing the final pieces of a studio jigsaw together in a converted garage in Barton-on-Humber. Mandala Studios - "the name came out the blue, inspired by a piece of Eastern art," says Richard - will aim at recreating a warm, more traditional studio sound.

"I have been building up the equipment for the studio for several years," explained Richard. "But New Deal for Musicians provided the missing link. Although set up in a converted garage, when you enter it, the studio is like another world. The atmosphere is very relaxing and creative. So much studio music has a chemical and shiny digital quality - I would like to create more warmth and looseness in the music recorded here."

"It has been fantastic having the help of my Music Industry Consultant - especially in clarifying the goals I need to achieve. Being able to draw on his experience has been vital in sorting out much of the detail needed to put together a quality studio," he added. "There has been so much to think about - improving security, studio alarms and insurance."

Once the studio is up and running, Richard will be advertising special opening offers for local musicians and also hopes to be able to provide evening teaching classes. "Music is completely where I am at," said Richard. "I have always wanted to do creative work."

As a guitar player, Richard is also preparing to re-record his own material in the studio with other musicians and produce a new EP of original material.