301 Studios to debut at Newton Fest

A local recording studio is breaking ground this year and is set to perform during Newton Fest next month alongside several local musicians.

301 Studios was created by two Newton natives Brandon Cook and Nick Maggard with the intention to offer a local studio for musicians and to those who want to professionally record audio at an affordable price.

Cook and Maggard are passionate about music and have their own talents they bring to the business. Cook, the property manager, said he has always enjoyed performing rap and inspirational music for at least five years and has recorded songs himself. Maggard, the producer and engineer, has a background in performing and more than three years experience in recording and mastering.

“It was always in the back of my mind as an idea for a business and then I found out how skilled Nick is,” Cook said. “We were really getting to know each other and then one day he flipped up his laptop and showed me some of the things he was working on, and I thought this kid’s a genius.”

For Maggard, guitar and music were things he was encouraged to pursue by his father.

“My dad got me into guitar and now it has let me spread out into other instruments like the violin and the piano,” Maggard said. “I also have been in two metal bands throughout the years.”

The studio is located in a room of Cook’s home and offers top-notch recording equipment, according to Cook.

“We knew we would see the fruits of our labor in no time,” Cook said.

Maggard said they wanted to see if there was the potential in Newton to have artists come in, which has happened with people taking interest in recording and recording albums, like local rapper, Pillage.

“We’ve been able to have that happen and that was a great starting point for us to be able to produce an album and that really opened our eyes to show that this town really has potential,” Maggard said. “If this town can have one person step up and want to make music like that and be willing to put in that time and effort it will influence other people.”

The duo prides themselves in affordable recording services unlike typical studios, according to Cook.

“When I would go to a studio in Cleveland and record, the second you walk through that door they are charging you,” Cook said. “Sometimes my bill for just one song would end up being $500 to $700.”

Maggard said 301 Studios is working to have the lowest price for recording in Central Iowa by offering an hour of recording for $35 and there are no charges for the mixing and mastering.

The community will get the chance to see Cook and Maggard perform at Newton Fest June 10 where 301 Studios will be using their equipment and feature Misgivings, Nate Butler and World Gone Mad.

301 Studios also plans to host more Grill Out and Chill Out events this summer at Woodland Park to bring the community together while getting their name out.

Contact Kayla Langmaid at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com