Studio Security Question

[mightyduck]

Hello,

I have to bring up the sordid subject of security systems and equipment safety.

I have a lot of gear out here in the middle of newhere in the house. I have gotten to the point where I am reluctant to have people over because word travels fast sometimes.

What are you guys using to safeguard your gear? Insurance, cameras, monitored systems that call the police if there is a break-in?

Let me know what is working for you and what is worth trying.

I would actually like something that I could monitor from afar, but that could summon the police if necessary.


Best,

mightyduck

[Southsidemusic]

Living in a really good city
We have a great alarm direct to police and fire system as our studio is built on my property in a purpose rebuilt guesthouse. I can login and watch every room and surroudings from my iphone.

[musicman691]

Appropriate question to ask in these times. And while having a direct connect to the local cop shop and given the state of affairs with police don't depend on it to save your bacon (or equipment). Even in the best of times police response to the crime scene depends on the local police policies.


Example: Where I live in Trenton unless you need medical attention at a crime scene police will only do a phone interview - they won't come out. And it's even worse due to covid-19 and the anti-police situation. Typical response time if they do consent to come out is an hour if you're lucky. I suspect LA is even worse.


Hate to be a Debbie Downer but unless you absolutely NEED to have someone in your studio - don't. Insurance will help in case of a loss but make sure you have the proper riders on your policy. Standard homeowners insurance won't work. Take pictures of EVERYTHING and store a duplicate memory card with those pics in a safe deposit box.


As to a security system make sure you vet whomever you have do the install unless you do it yourself. In another lifetime I worked for Wells Fargo Alarm Services and I do my own alarm work here. You wouldn't even know there's cameras and other sensors around. Any of the other stuff I have in the system I don't feel comfortable talking about on a public forum.


In addition to cameras make sure you can't see into your recording space from outside. Any stuff you get from a vendor & is shipped to you remove all addressing from the boxes before you put the cardboard out for recycle.

[albee1952]

I ran 4 cameras into a DVR(complete package from Costco). Really good locks(commercial grade). An alarm system with monitoring and "PRO" insurance(like for a studio business, not an addendum to a home policy)

With all that, I still had a few pairs of headphones disappear, but don't waste an insurance claim for a few hundred dollars. Just absorb the small losses and write them off( a small claim or two and you might get cancelled)

[mightyduck]

Originally Posted by albee1952

I ran 4 cameras into a DVR(complete package from Costco). Really good locks(commercial grade). An alarm system with monitoring and "PRO" insurance(like for a studio business, not an addendum to a home policy)

With all that, I still had a few pairs of headphones disappear, but don't waste an insurance claim for a few hundred dollars. Just absorb the small losses and write them off( a small claim or two and you might get cancelled)

How does the alarm / monitoring work, and what kind of insurance?


Best,


mightduck

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by mightyduck

How does the alarm / monitoring work, and what kind of insurance?


Best,


mightduck

The alarm is monitored by a company 24/7. If someone breaks in, you get a call. Without a response from you or someone with the proper password, the police are called. For insurance, go to an independent agent and ask about a Business Owner Policy. IIRC, I was paying just under $800/year for liability($2 million) and coverage for equipment for $60K. If you derive your income from the studio, you may also be able to get coverage for lost income(my building had a major plumbing disaster and I was able to recoup for lost work over a 2 week period). Keep in mind that I operated out of rented space in a commercial building in downtown Nashville.

[Cowboy Bob]

Good suggestions, Jack.

I live at 14th and Plum (14 miles out, plum in the middle of nowhere).

Nearest neighbor is roughly 1/4 a mile away, not counting the horses and cows. I also have a monitored system. Police are still very good here. I am a small studio, and typically only have few people at a time.

I have entry illumination and frosted safety glass so no seeing in. I typically have any gear delivery deposited in a secure location.

Good point on insurance. Yes, standard homeowners won’t cover, typically, if you’re making money from it.

[mightyduck]

Originally Posted by Cowboy Bob

Good suggestions, Jack.

I live at 14th and Plum (14 miles out, plum in the middle of nowhere).

Nearest neighbor is roughly 1/4 a mile away, not counting the horses and cows. I also have a monitored system. Police are still very good here. I am a small studio, and typically only have few people at a time.

I have entry illumination and frosted safety glass so no seeing in. I typically have any gear delivery deposited in a secure location.

Good point on insurance. Yes, standard homeowners won’t cover, typically, if you’re making money from it.

Whoa, dude! I think we're neighbors!

What is "entry illumination"? You mean like floodlights that come on when someone approaches?



Best,

mightyduck

[Cowboy Bob]

Originally Posted by mightyduck

Whoa, dude! I think we're neighbors!

What is "entry illumination"? You mean like floodlights that come on when someone approaches?



Best,

mightyduck

Yes, motion activated flood lights and a security light dusk to dawn. Yes, sometimes a deer and even a coyote or stray dog can trip the light, but better that than not coming on at all. Cameras too on the door and control room.

Here, I have to buy a yearly permit for an alarm. $50. They say that it helps to defray the cost of the sheriff's department responding to false alarms.

My system rings the sheriff AND the alarm company. If the alarm company does not cancel the call to the sheriff within 2 minutes they are dispatched. The alarm company calls me to verify or not then if false, sends that to the sheriff.

Yup, State Farm here too. No, not the cheapest, but for me, the best solution.

[mightyduck]

Originally Posted by musicman691

Appropriate question to ask in these times. And while having a direct connect to the local cop shop and given the state of affairs with police don't depend on it to save your bacon (or equipment). Even in the best of times police response to the crime scene depends on the local police policies.

There is a service of some sort where they call the police for you, I think. But they check first or something like that and you have to be ready to pay the "call fee" for the police if it turns out to be nothing.

Example: Where I live in Trenton unless you need medical attention at a crime scene police will only do a phone interview - they won't come out. And it's even worse due to covid-19 and the anti-police situation. Typical response time if they do consent to come out is an hour if you're lucky. I suspect LA is even worse.

Yeah, covid isn't helping the situation, that's for sure.

Hate to be a Debbie Downer but unless you absolutely NEED to have someone in your studio - don't. Insurance will help in case of a loss but make sure you have the proper riders on your policy. Standard homeowners insurance won't work. Take pictures of EVERYTHING and store a duplicate memory card with those pics in a safe deposit box.

Who do you use as insurer? its always seemed prohibitively expensive.

As to a security system make sure you vet whomever you have do the install unless you do it yourself. In another lifetime I worked for Wells Fargo Alarm Services and I do my own alarm work here. You wouldn't even know there's cameras and other sensors around. Any of the other stuff I have in the system I don't feel comfortable talking about on a public forum.

Well, if you go to Wal-Mart [wear a mask], you will find several "install it yourself" systems. Different kinds, different brands, different prices........ They have them with a DVR or you can monitor on your phone. I assume you can can a response team / police - type hookup.

Has anyone any experience using any of that stuff. What is a good one?

In addition to cameras make sure you can't see into your recording space from outside. Any stuff you get from a vendor & is shipped to you remove all addressing from the boxes before you put the cardboard out for recycle.

I agree with the idea of making it hard to see in. But a busy house with the windows blocked out might make people interested?



Best,

mightyduck