THE MUSIC CENTRE

Forms the convex section Curved Street, across from Arthouse. Apparently slightly less worried about appearances than Arthouse, the public face of the Music Centre is confined to a lobby and a small, student bar.

Could be confused with. Anything . . . there is little to give away the nature of activity here. You do, however, get the impression from those hanging around the foyer that whatever it is, is completely exhausting.

Architect. Group 91/ McCullough Mulvin. Cost £3.35 million, Opened May 1995. StaffCore staff of around 25 people, rising to 45 on occasion.

At its heart, the Music Centre is "a developmental centre in that it allows people access to very high technology at very basic rates," says facilities manager Jim Wright.

"The centre offers facilities to industry professionals, but we also have a policy of supporting up and coming talent," says marketing manager Anita Kerr.

In the basement there are seven rehearsal rooms, all of which have links to a central 24 track digital recording studio high above. One studio also has its own mini recording studio.

A large part of the building is given over to the 340 seat performance space, or "the venue" as it is referred to by Wright and Kerr. This three storey space has been designed for maximum flexibility. It can hold 600 people standing, or 340 people seated. Also built in to the venue are facilities for live recording, as well as for outside broadcast TV and radio.

"Access to all the rehearsal rooms is open to anyone off the street, and they're available for anyone from a thrash metal band to a harpist who wants a quiet writing room." Basic rooms cost around £25 a session.

The Music Centre also houses a class room, recording and editing space for the Sound Training Centre, as well as Music Base, a free information service to the music industry. In the basement there seven rehearsal rooms, all which have links to a central 24 track digital recording studio high above. One studio also has its own mini recording studio.

A large part of the building is given over to the 340 seat performance space, or "the venue" as it is referred to by Wright and Kerr. This three storey space has been designed for maximum flexibility. It can hold 600 people standing, or 340 people seated. Also built in to the venue are facilities for live recording, as well as for outside broadcast TV and radio.

"Access to all the rehearsal rooms is open to anyone off the street, and they're available for anyone from a thrash metal band to a harpist who wants a quiet writing room." Basic rooms cost around £25 a session.

The Music Centre also houses a classroom, recording and editing space for the Sound Training Centre, as well as Music Base, a free information service to the music industry.