The Record

What The Record does

The Record Co. (The Record) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, that operates 108 professional recording studios, rehearsal rooms, production suites, and creative workspaces across two locations: 960 Massachusetts Avenue and 55 Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester. The organization serves independent musicians, producers, and creative professionals — typically earning $5,000–$15,000 annually from creative work — by providing access to professional-grade equipment (Pro Tools, Neve and Universal Audio outboard gear, Focusrite Clarett+ interfaces, Focal Shape monitors, and a historic ARP synthesizer archive) at starting rates of $10/hr, roughly one-tenth of the $100+/hr Boston commercial market. Its core technology is a physical-infrastructure platform supported by Planyo for self-serve online booking and scheduling, Ultimate Member for community directory, and Donorbox for donation processing.

The company's business model is a hybrid earned-and-contributed revenue nonprofit structure. Approximately 56% of revenue is earned from hourly studio bookings, monthly workspace tenancies at 55 Morrissey (95% occupancy since 2023, housing 400+ creative businesses), event and venue rentals ($3,000–$7,000 full-facility packages), a freemium TRC Academy workforce development program ($2,500 sponsors one student scholarship per session), merchandise, and gift cards. The remaining ~44% comes from individual donations and foundation grants (Cummings Foundation, Barr Foundation, New Commonwealth Fund), including the active Amplify Boston '26 campaign targeting $1.5M by June 30, 2026. Pricing is tiered: individual community rates ($10–$240), institutional partner rates (3x individual), and event packages with separate community/partner/institutional tiers. GTM motions include self-serve online booking, community-led growth through TRC Academy graduates (94% completion rate with placements at House of Blues, Live Nation, and the City of Boston), and channel partnerships with Berklee College of Music, Bunker Hill Community College, and youth non-profits. A material forward risk is the January 2027 expiry of the 55 Morrissey Boulevard license, which the organization is actively working to convert to permanent ownership.

Name

The Record

Legal name

The Record Co.

Website

https://therecordco.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Record Co. is a Boston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating 108 professional recording studios, rehearsal rooms, and production suites across two locations, serving 3,000+ independent artists monthly at below-market rates with a free workforce development academy achieving 94% completion and job placements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recording Studio and Creative Workspace Services

NAICS

Sound Recording Studios (51224), Other Sound Recording Industries (51229), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

akta.pro primary industry

Recording Studios (Commercial, Project, Mobile) (MPAIAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rehearsal & Pre-Production Studios (Rehearsal Rooms, Backline) (MPAIAHAK), Audio Engineering Services (Tracking, Mixing, Mastering) (MPAIAHAD), Production Management & Studio Support Services (Studio Managers, Techs) (MPAIAHAO)

Keywords

• Recording studio rental
• Rehearsal space rental
• Creative workspace leasing
• Music workforce development
• Production suite booking

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Hourly Studio Bookings: Earned revenue from hourly rental of recording studios, rehearsal rooms, production suites, and community space. Individual rates from $10-240 depending on space type and duration. Institution/organization rates are 3x individual rates. This is the primary earned revenue stream.
2. Monthly Workspace Rentals: Monthly tenancies at 55 Morrissey Boulevard for creative businesses including recording studios, design firms, and music educators. 95% occupancy maintained since opening.
3. Event & Venue Rentals: Corporate off-sites, board meetings, private receptions, and concerts at 55 Morrissey. Full facility rentals up to $7,000 for 8-hour blocks. Event revenue subsidizes studio access for independent artists.
4. TRC Academy Programs: 101-level courses (free) serve as entry point; 201-level intensive courses (paid) generate revenue. $2,500 covers one student scholarship per session.
5. Donations & Grants: 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by individual donations and foundation grants. Amplify Boston '26 campaign targeting $1.5M. Cummings Foundation grant received. Dollar-for-dollar matching available.
6. Merchandise: Apparel collection (t-shirts, hoodies, beanies) and gear (drum sticks, guitar picks, water bottles) sold through merch store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Record Co. operates 108 professional recording studios, rehearsal rooms, and production suites across two Boston locations (960 Massachusetts Avenue and 55 Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester) at below-market hourly rates starting at $10/hr. The nonprofit also delivers the TRC Academy, a free 6-week workforce development program in sound engineering, music production, and music business with paid advanced courses, plus 35,000 sq ft of long-term creative workspace housing 400+ independent creative businesses.

Product overview

The Record Co. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering 108 professional creative studios across two Boston locations (960 Massachusetts Avenue and 55 Morrissey Boulevard). The core offering includes Recording Studios (Studios A-D with Pro Tools and professional outboard gear), Rehearsal Studios (hourly from $10/hr), Production Suites (self-service from $15/hr), Community Room ($20/hr), and PA rentals. The ecosystem includes TRC Academy (free 6-week workforce programs in sound engineering, music production, and music business), ARPs for All (historic synthesizer access), event hosting capabilities, gift cards, and a merch store. All spaces are available to independent artists at below-market rates as part of the organization's mission to democratize music-making in Boston.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TRC Academy: Free 6-week programs in Sound Engineering, Music Production, and Music Business taught by working professionals with 94% completion rate and real job placements.
• Amplify Boston

Products and services

• Recording Studios (Studios A, B, C, D) Professional Pro Tools-equipped recording studios with professional outboard gear (Neve, Universal Audio, Distressor) for hire by the hour. Studio A flagship ($240/6hrs) supports up to 48 channels, Studio B ($130/4hrs) supports up to 32 channels, and Studios C & D ($80/4hrs) handle vocal, overdubs, and beat production for 1-2 musicians. Targeted at independent artists, bands, and producers.
• Rehearsal Studios Fully backlined rehearsal rooms available by the hour with drums, amps, and PA systems in three sizes: Small ($10/hr, 2 people), Medium ($15/hr, 6 people), Large ($25/hr, 10 people). For working bands, ensembles, and music groups needing time-efficient practice space.
• Production Suites Self-service studios for beat making, production, podcasting, and vocal recording. Equipped with Focusrite Clarett+ interfaces, Focal Shape monitors, Neumann and Shure microphones. Small Suite ($15/hr) and Medium Suite ($20/hr). For producers, podcasters, and beat makers needing independent production space.
• Community Room Flexible meeting and event space at 960 Mass Ave for meetings, podcasts, photo shoots, workshops, and events. $20/hr for individuals, $60/hr for institutions, with free coffee, tea, and filtered water included.
• PA System Rental Professional live sound equipment rentals for the Boston music community, including powered speakers, mixer, microphones, with optional Sound Tech add-on. Targeted at independent performers and event organizers needing portable professional sound.
• TRC Academy Workforce development program offering free 6-week 101 courses and paid 201 intensive courses in Sound Engineering, Music Production, and Music Business, taught by working professionals (including Berklee faculty) in actual studios. 94% completion rate with job placements at House of Blues, Live Nation, and City of Boston.
• Event Hosting at 55 Morrissey Corporate off-sites, board meetings, private receptions, and concerts at the 55 Morrissey Boulevard facility. Packages include Studio A Event ($600 community / $1,200 partner / $2,400 institutional), Full Facility rental ($3,000-$7,000), and Venue & Stage with custom production rates. Event revenue subsidizes artist studio access.
• 55 Morrissey Creative Workspace (Monthly Tenancies) 35,000 sq ft creative workspace facility at 55 Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester, offering 88 workspaces on monthly tenancies to 400+ independent creative businesses (recording studios, design firms, music educators, production companies) at below-market rates. 95% sustained occupancy since 2023. License expires January 2027.
• Gift Cards Digital gift cards for studio time at 960 Mass Ave, available in preset amounts ($50, $100, $250) or custom ($10-$1,000). Valid for one year from purchase, redeemable across all hourly spaces.
• Merch Store Online apparel and music gear store including Standard Fit Tees, Studio Longsleeves, Heavyweight Hoodies, Knit Beanies, Insulated Bottles, Drum Sticks, Guitar Picks, and Sticker Packs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,000+ artists served monthly from 131 Greater Boston communities
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Berklee College of MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRC Academy curriculum taught by Berklee faculty. Institutional partnership providing students access to TRC facilities. TRC serves as practical training ground for Berklee students seeking real-world studio experience.
• Bunker Hill Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner connecting community college students to TRC Academy workforce development programs and professional studio access.
• Barr FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting TRC's creative infrastructure and workforce development mission. Named as institutional partner on partnerships page.
• New Commonwealth FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivic organization partner supporting TRC's creative economy infrastructure initiatives.
• Brighter BostonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth and community program partner bringing participants to TRC facilities for music education and creative development.
• PlanyocoreTechnology or IntegrationBooking and scheduling platform used for studio reservations, availability management, and online payment processing.
• DonorboxcoreTechnology or IntegrationSecure donation processing platform used for Amplify Boston campaign and general tax-deductible investments.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Women's Audio Mission: San Francisco-based nonprofit operating a recording studio and audio production training program for women and girls. Closest analog: nonprofit-operated professional studios combined with workforce development at below-market rates.
• Pioneer Works: Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating an artist and musician residency, studio space, and community programming. Comparable as a creative-infrastructure nonprofit combining workspace access with community-led programming and below-market artist pricing.
• The Bunker: Brooklyn recording studio with a community-focused mission and multiple rooms. Comparable in offering professional studio access to independent artists at multiple price points within a creative community.

Regional players

• Q Division Studios: Long-running professional recording studio complex in Somerville, MA offering multiple rooms with commercial-grade equipment. Comparable in Boston-area geography and professional studio infrastructure, though operating as a for-profit commercial facility.
• The Bridge Sound & Stage: Cambridge, MA recording studio and rehearsal facility serving Greater Boston artists with professional gear and engineers. Comparable in geographic market, multi-room studio model, and target customer base of independent musicians.
• Yellowhammer Studios: Multi-room professional recording facility in a mid-size U.S. city offering rehearsal and production space. Comparable in operating a multi-room studio complex at the regional professional tier, though structured as a commercial operator.

Broad incumbents

• MASS MoCA: Large-scale nonprofit arts institution in North Adams, MA operating extensive creative and performance facilities. Comparable as a Massachusetts-based nonprofit creative infrastructure operator, though at much larger institutional scale and broader arts scope.

Others

• Berklee College of Music: Boston's premier music college and TRC's core institutional partner, with faculty teaching TRC Academy curriculum. Comparable as a music workforce and education ecosystem player that complements rather than competes with TRC's community studio access.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/therecordcoTRC
• Facebookfacebook.com/therecordco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/therecordcotrc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Record