Drop the Mic Recording Studio

The Drop the Mic Recording Studio is a full scale professional recording studio with a sound booth, microphones, and recording and mixing equipment. The studio was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), grant # RE-95-17-0068-17, in the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, by the support of the Charles County Public Library Board of Trustees, as well as a gift from the Citizens for the Charles County Public Library, Inc (C4CCPL).

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awards grants to experiential learning programs that teach collaboration skills, programs and services that respond to community input and demonstrated needs, as well as those that lead to cultural change at libraries and sustain impact through extending training.

CCPL conducted teen focus groups and found that a number of Charles County youth do not participate in any extracurricular activities, and that young adults wanted a space where they could be creative as well as collaborate and interact with their peers. The focus group findings determined that a recording studio space would address the needs of our community. IMLS determined that the Drop the Mic Recording Studio would be the perfect fit. The CCPL Board of Trustees and C4CCPL provided the additional funds to make the studio a reality. Without the generous support of the Citizens for the Charles County Public Library and the CCPL Board of Trustees, the recording studio would not have been possible.

The Drop the Mic Recording Studio officially opened on March 20, 2019. It is free to use and is available on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations can be made on the CCPL website at Meeting Room Reservation, by calling P.D. Brown Memorial Branch at 301\645.2864 or by clicking on the button at the bottom of this page.

Gallery

Drop the Mic Studio at P.D. Brown
Drop the Mic Studio at P.D. Brown
Drop the Mic Studio at P.D. Brown
Drop the Mic Studio at P.D. Brown

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook(link is external) and Twitter(link is external).

Please note: The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Citizens for the Charles County Public Library, Inc. (C4CCPL) is a non-profit, all volunteer group dedicated to expand public awareness and support for the Charles County, Maryland Public Library system. With membership support from the community, we assist the library in many of its endeavors. C4CCPL sponsors activities, raises funds, and promotes the library as a cultural, educational, informational and recreational asset to Southern Maryland. The funds raised by our activities help supplement the library’s budget by purchasing items not included in their operating budget by Charles County. Since our inception in June, 2002, we have provided more than a Quarter of a Million dollars in funds to the Charles County Libraries.

  • PreSonus Studio 192 USB Audio Interface and Studio Command Center
  • Novation 49-key MIDI Controller
  • Sweetwater Custom Computing 4u i5 3.0GHz, 16GB Ram
  • Studio One Software
  • Viewsonic LED 27″ LDC Monitor
  • Gator 8U Roller Rack
  • Furman 8+1 Outlet 15A Rk Pwr w/Light
  • Sony Closed Studio Headphones
  • AKG Semi-Open Monitor Headphones
  • PreSonus 4-Ch Headphone Amplifier
  • Shure SM-58 Vocal Microphones
  • Shure SM-57 Instrument Microphones

This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, grant # RE-95-17-0068-17, in the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.

  1. Drop the Mic Recording Studio is available to all users. An adult must be present with children 11 years of age and younger.
  2. Users must abide by all local, state, and federal laws and fire codes. While on Library property, users must abide by the Library’s Rules of Conduct.
  3. No meeting room fees are charged for the use of the Drop the Mic Recording Studio.
  4. Food or drink is not permitted in the booth or around the equipment. Open flames and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
  5. There is a 1 person maximum inside the recording booth.
  6. The studio is open during normal branch hours and can be reserved in 30 minute increments. The booth closes 30 minutes prior to closing.
  7. The person that creates the reservation is responsible for the booth, accessories and all of the gear that is used. You are also responsible for the behavior of your guests and artists.
  8. Staff are available to assist you, but will not engineer your session.
  9. All data will be erased from the computers between sessions. The library has flash drives for purchase. It is recommended that you bring your own storage media.
  10. As a shared space, users should be mindful that the booth is not completely soundproof. CCPL reserves the right to terminate sessions that are deemed inappropriate, offensive or violates the Library’s Code of Conduct.
  11. Charles County Public Library is not responsible for nor retains any rights to content that is produced in the Drop the Mic Recording Studio.

Interested in learning how to use Studio One 4?  There are plenty of training videos on Lynda.com!  With your library card, you will be able to watch videos for free.  The videos that are on Lynda.com are for the software Studio One 3 but there is not much of a difference between the two versions. How to access the free training videos on Lynda.com

  1. Access Lynda.com
  2. Type in your library credentials
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  3. Type Studio One in the Search bar at the top of the page
  4. Select Learning Studio One 3
  5. Select the section you are interested in watching
  6. Enjoy!