What was started as a hobby in 2002 by founder Jules Standen, Gearspace.com has grown to count more than 400,000 members, and host upwards of one million discussions and 13 million replies. Now it commemorates its 20th year as the go-to place for audio engineers, music producers, audio schools and other organisations.
The forum was born out of the analogue-to-digital crossover in the early 2000s that inspired so many enthusiasts to build their own studios. What was once Geaslutz, Gearspace covers pro audio gear – from inexpensive microphones to half-million-dollar mixing consoles. As a predominantly user-generated content platform, the forum has become a trusted industry peer resource for products and pre-purchase research.
The content covers both professional and hobbyist recording, providing a platform for audio engineers and music producers to troubleshoot technical issues, share techniques and to ask for (and receive) advice from their peers. Over the past 20 years, the forum has expanded to include reviews, classifieds, interviews, new product alerts, pro audio events and, most recently, feature articles.
Standen’s two favorite aspects of the site are the recording studio construction sub-forum and the producer interviews. ‘Not only are the photo diaries of people building studios inspirational,’ he says , ‘but also our Q&A interviews where members can ask hit-makers how they record, and mix are both fun and useful. Our next Q&A guest will be Manny Marroquin, who has worked with Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Kanye West, The Rolling Stones, Imagine Dragons, Christina Aguilera and Jay-Z, among many other best-selling artists.’
The rebranding last year was intended to welcome a more diverse user base across the industries the forum serves. ‘It feels great to be moving forward with a progressive and inclusive name, making it easier for professionals, novices, educators and hobbyists to unite in sharing the latest information on pro audio gear and their experiences in using it,’ Standen says. ‘The Gearspace team and I are delighted to be celebrating this anniversary, and we look forward to continuing to provide the best possible pro audio forum community in the years to come.’
More: www.gearspace.com
