By Matt Hudson Explorebigsky.com Editorial Assistant
BIG SKY – The proprietors of Skylab Media House are out to capture the sights and sounds of southwest Montana and beyond, with the opening of a new sound studio and video production suite in Big Sky.
Adam Stubbs, 28, and Chris Kamman, 27, have set up shop just off of the Lone Mountain Trail/Highway 191 intersection. They found the space behind the Big Horn Shopping Center a year ago and began retrofitting it for sound and video production.
“I never thought in a million years I’d be doing this in Big Sky, but all the pieces just fell into place and before I knew it we were building this place,” Stubbs said.
Stubbs, who is originally from Chester, Mont., handles the music side of the operation. He holds a degree in audio engineering and production from the Institute of Production and Recording in Minneapolis and worked for three years as a sound engineer in Brooklyn, N.Y., before finding his way back to Montana. Studio and live sound equipment that he’s collected over the years are stacked in a hallway closet. Custom-made sound panels hang on the walls throughout the control room, band recording room and isolation booth.
Just down the hall is Kamman’s video production suite. His work station sits in the corner, and a green screen hangs from the high ceiling. He plans to finish the room off with a few pieces of art and a large television for clients to view finished products.
Kamman, who hails from Chicago, holds a day job as the multimedia coordinator for Big Sky Resort. He won first place in the 2013 American Advertising Awards digital media category for his winter 2012-2013 preview video. Stubbs also works outside the studio, providing live sound support for events at the resort.
“Both of us are working full-time, so this was like afternoons and weekends,” Kamman said of the building process. It took nearly a year to complete the space.
In a world where musicians can use powerful consumer-grade electronics to record in basement studios, the duo wants to offer artists a creative environment in Big Sky, as well as expertise. At the far end of their space is a lounge area, complete with couches and a fridge. A 20-foot tall door slides open to reveal a private yard with the West Fork running alongside.
“The experience of piling in a van, driving somewhere, hunkering down in the studio and getting lost in that – that’s what we’re trying to provide here,” Stubbs said. “The experience of coming to a studio, but it’s not going to break the bank. This is a step up from the basement.”
Stubbs has recorded albums for two regional bands at the Skylab already. One of those bands, Big Sky rock outfit the Riot Act, recorded 13 tracks at the studio. Lead guitarist Brian Stumpf said Stubbs and Kamman were very engaged in the process and created a comfortable working atmosphere.
“It’s a full-on pro studio,” Stumpf said. “They did a great job.”
Stubbs plans to shift to full-time studio work and become an independent live sound contractor soon. Both men say they welcome all types of clients.
Skylab Media House will host a grand opening within a month, Kamman said.
For the second year in a row, Chris Kamman has won Outside Bozeman’s Best Outdoor Video contest. More information can be found at the Skylab Media House website.
