Unique Recording Studios
http://www.uniquerecording.com/

The creation date on the site is 1996 and it reflects the design of that time period. It is a frame site that keeps the visitor on the site while allowing for easy navigation. The audience that would be most impressed by the site is the technician that would be mixing the music/ sounds for a company or artist.

With a location in the hi-rent district of New York City and an impressive list of musicians that have recorded at the studio, the information on the site demonstrates that they have facilities and personnel to provide award-winning services. Lots of detail on each of 5 studios available including the equipment, studio rates, software on their digital equipment, and a click through to a picture of each studio. Pages also display other gear available, payment terms and how to make reservations, and a page that contains links to sites providing information a person traveling to their area may want to know (subway system, airline services, restaurants, car rental, etc.). Also links to sites that would be of interest to musicians, producers, and others in the entertainment business.

They have a feedback/ comments section and a contacts page with phone, fax and address. Now for the critique: The site is in bad need of a major makeover. The tables are boldly indicated when they could be hidden. No real design layout to the pages. Everything is center aligned. Crescendo is "old news" midi player and music on every page is distracting. Every page I went to kept asking me if I wanted to download the crescendo player.

This pop-up was very annoying and when I finally gave up and said yes, the music offered did not impress me or seem to serve any real purpose. Sound files take a long time to download on normal dial-up service. They have too much animation on the opening page, which also slows things down. I would wager that the site was designed for the gratification of the business owner more than the intended audience.

The e-mail listed for the webmaster is uniquenyc@aol.com and the one on the contact page is uniquenyc@earthlink.net. They should purchase/ transfer their domain name to a web host or RSP (registration service provider) that offers a mail service so they could be webmaster@uniquenyc.com, which would convey a more professional web presence. And finally, by placing all this great information in a frame, the user cannot easily bookmark a page. However, studio technicians would be impressed by what they have to offer and would do the job of selling others on Unique Recording Studio's services.

Dog House Recording and Production
http://www.doghouse1.com/index2.html

They have placed a new index page on their site regarding the events of September 11th. This demonstrates that they maintain their website. Nice custom logo on the first page and a catchy slogan "Bands Best Friend" is a parody of "Man's Best Friend", which is a common saying regarding a dog. With a location in Little Rock, Arkansas this is an area of the country where dog ownership is very common so this would convey friendliness and comfort to the area clients.

Every page has a "Go Back" button on the bottom of the page to take the user back to the home page to select another section to go to. I would have preferred links on the bottom of each page to choose from however, going back to the home page reasserts their Logo and Slogan. Overall, the pages load quickly and the consistent back link made navigation very simple.

Background image is like the acoustical walls used inside a sound room. Consistent design and layout of images, text, and navigation. Simple layout and navigation conveys the web presence goal very well. We're friendly, simple folks looking to help out our community and the new musician aspiring to get heard. "Bands Best Friend" associated with DogHouse is a clever and memorable use of opposing allegories.

Recommendations for Smash Hits Recording Studio

Mission Statement: Convey a reputation of being the studio of choice for new bands that are recording their first demonstration CD in hopes of landing a major recording contract.

Keep the site simple in its layout and presentation. Do not use frames. Instead have text links to every major section of the site on every page for easy navigation.

Smash denotes some excitement so may want to use some exciting "explosive" graphics but not to large. We want the graphics to load quickly. Perhaps some "fireworks" and "star burst" images. A good slogan and company logo should also be carefully crafted as was done by DogHouse.

Provide some information on your rates (which Doghouse failed to do), how to arrange for booking time at the studio, and the equipment you have available. For more detailed information on the equipment, you may want to provide a link to the equipment manufacturers site.

Provide links to city area information like both sites did but have the new site open in a separate new window to keep user on the site. Find and work out Link Exchanges with other web sites in the local area that promote new Bands such as local bars, coffeehouses, publications. Create implied association of gaining major recording contract with links to Major studio sites and other musician promotional sites (such as Taxi). Our goal here is to convey to the band that we are connected to the music community.

Host a page that contains links to the web sites of musicians that have recorded at your studio. Also provide downloads of music recorded at your studio in MP3 and WAV format. Have link to RealPlayer and to Microsoft Media Player for the user's benefit. This will demonstrate that you provide a service that seeks to make the band successful even beyond the time spent in creating the demo CD. Make sure to get legal releases from the band.

Finally, if a band wishes more technical information (such as that offered on the "contacts" page of the Unique site) provide an easy to use "Enter your e-mail address here for more information" button. Set up an auto response mail return that provides the information instantly. Build a database from these names for future mailings.

Collectively, these elements will convey your desire to help propel musicians to the stars and beyond.