Brian Reed’s BAM Studios celebrates its seventh anniversary of business this month, which also marks the completion of a year-long Harley-Davidson music project. The ever-changing, 18-minute H-D internal sales video, created by local BrandTrust, encompassed a sizable amount of music search and narration recording. BAM’S proprietary DreamServer tracked music searches for the video, which contained 11 selections, each with its own soundtrack and more than 15 compositions “and allowed us to quickly compile the final license,” said Reed. BAM’s DreamServer search engine integrates media files, storage, database and efficient network. It contains for the Midwest’s largest music and effects library—500,000 music cuts and 200,000 sound effects. “Our renegade attitude towards technology gives us an advantage over other houses,” said Reed, who spent 12 years at now-defunct Skyview before opening his own boutique shop. “We’re looked at as a beta-test site and we have been able to discover some of the best additions to the industry, such as DreamServer, long before our competitors,” he added. “We’re constantly researching and investigating new products to stay at the forefront of changes in the industry.”
In 2005, Dave Leffel, former Swell/S2 audio designer, joined BAM as audio engineer for its second audio suite. He is a SAG/AFTRA member, and producer/director of voiceover talent. Together they transformed BAM from a one-room studio to a 2,500-sq. ft. facility with two full-service surround sound suites, two control rooms each with voiceover booths, a shared machine room, kitchen and room with a pool table. Through the course of seven years, Reed developed a national clientele which includes Leo Burnett’s Altoids spot “Land of Sour, People of Pain,” winner of a 2005 Gold Cannes Lion, Oprah’s recent ABC Primetime Oscar Special and her South African Leadership Academy documentary.
