Using the Decker Studio, you can use a library provided computer, Digital Audio Workstation (or DAW), and industry-standard recording equipment to:

• Record a podcast

• Play and rehearse music using library provided instruments

• Bring your own instruments to record

• Write and record original music

• Record voice overs for audiobooks, auditions, and more

The Franklin Lakes Library has two tools which will allow patrons of all skillsets to access the level of assistance they need to get their project started!

• Using our Studio Automation Program (SAP), beginners can fill in the prompts and details about their projects, and our automated project will do the rest! Automations will open a new project and start recording for you, and send completed sound files directly to your email!

• Our scheduling platform for the Decker Recording Studio will prompt you for details about your project, and provide available timeslots with an engineer that is prepared to assist you. This might be a library staff member for simple projects, or an experienced engineer for more complex tasks!

Yes, there are some requirements before you will be allowed to access the Decker Recording Studio:

• You must sign a User Agreement Form, available at the front desk. Anyone under 18 must also have a parent or guardian sign.

• You must have an unexpired BCCLS Library card, that has less than $10 in fines.

• You must be at least 14 years old, and able to present a high school ID.

• There is a $40.00 per use fee for Decker Studio use. You may be exempt from this fee if:

  • You are a resident of Franklin Lakes

  • You are an educator at a school in the Franklin Lakes area

  • You are employed by the Borough of Franklin Lakes

  • You are an active student at Indian Hills High School or Ramapo High School

Yes, you may bring up to 4 guests for your Decker Studio booking.

• Guests do not need to have a BCCLS Library card, and do not need to be residents of Franklin Lakes

• Guests must still sign a User Agreement Form before being admitted

• Any guests under 14 must be accompanied in the studio by a parent or guardian

• Guests cannot access the room if the patron who made the reservation isn’t present.

Reservations for use of the Decker Studio can be made using our booking service (see link above).

Bookings must be made by patrons via this service - library staff will be unable to provide booking services directly to patrons. Please contact Assistant Director Jeremy Doyle with any issues.

The Decker Studio is designed to accommodate for different instrumental needs, such as acoustic instruments, electric guitars, etc. While the space is sound treated, there are certain restrictions to maintain a quiet study environment for the library

• Large percussive instruments without sound modulation, such as drum kits, are not allowed

• Amplifiers and monitors are not allowed.

• Patrons must be able to bring their own equipment and instruments into, and out of, the library and the studio

Patrons may book the Decker Recording Studio for up to 3 hours, with a limit of 1 session per week.

Yes, you will be able to connect your own computer to our library provided interface, and run our equipment through your preferred DAW.

• You may need to download programs to run the hardware through your device - this will be provided in the near future.

• You may not download new DAWs or programs onto the Decker Recording Studio computer.

• Sessions run through SAP will have the option to have a zipped file of all audio files sent directly to your email!

• Patrons are encouraged to bring their own storage devices, and to save all audio and project files from their session to their personal storage.

• Project and audio files may be stored on the Library’s hard drive for future access. The Library cannot guarantee long term storage for project or media files.

The Decker Studio utilizes a Mac Studio Pro, and runs Fender Pro Studio 8 as it’s primary DAW.

For music, the Decker Studio runs on a headphone relay system using Behringer P16 Mixing consoles. This both allows your sessions to only play via headphones, and lets you control the volume of all the other instruments!

Additional instruments and equipment includes:

• Universal Audio Volt 876 interface

• RODECaster Pro II podcast interface

• Roland FA-07 keyboard

• Yamaha DTX electric drum kit

• Fender Squier Stratocaster guitar

• Ibanez SR300EB bass guitar

• Shure 7DB microphones (2)

• Shure SM58 microphones (5)

• Aston Condensor microphones (2)

Patrons may not change any inputs in the Decker Studio. It is expected that the room is restored to it’s default settings at the end of a session - failure to do so will result in the loss of Decker Studio access