A new recording studio popped up in the middle of Broad Ripple in the most unlikely of places - a doctor's office. Dr. Mark Albrecht opened his family practice in a quaint bungalow at 6520 North Carrollton Avenue three and a half years ago. "I have a nice little family practice business here," said Mark. "I work with people one-on-one and am one of the few doctors left that has a private office. I can usually see patients the same day they call. In my 12 years as a doctor, I've delivered 50 children." Through the reception room is the consultation room, where paintings and four college degrees decorate the walls. Beyond the consultation room is the examination room. "Now that you've seen my office, let me show you how I am expanding my business in Broad Ripple, but in a creative way," said Mark as he led me back to the waiting room.

The other half of the building is what separates this office from other doctor's offices - it is Mark's creative expansion - a recording studio. Tiny, but quite complete, the studio features the best of analog and digital recording technologies. There is a 24-track digital recorder and a 12-track analog board. Electronic keyboards, professional microphones, and various instruments complete the setup. Ultimately, the music is captured on a computer for the final processing to compact disc. Mark has a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Art degree from Ball State University - majoring in piano performance. In addition to studio time, Mark offers lessons in piano and trumpet.

"When I was in college I did some recording. The studios were analog and they charged $150 per hour," recalled Mark. "That was a lot of money back then. The analog studio process was complicated, with analog tape, mixdowns, and lots of studio personnel required. Today it is totally different." There are many studios around, but most are not in the budget for a small band just getting started. This is chance to get a CD made from start to finish for about $200.

I talked to Curt Churchman, owner of Fine Estate Rugs shop next door to Dr. Albrecht's office. "Mark and I were playing casually together earlier this year and he blew me away with his skills and versatility," said Curt. "He's a great musician -- I always learn something when we're playing together. Mark meticulously put together his studio with a vision of how he wanted to record."

Mark's role is assistant producer, providing end-to-end service in the studio to produce the final product - a CD. "I'm looking for musicians developing their own style," he explained. "I am not here to be their manager or producer, but I can help them with every step of the production, as much or as little help as they need. I charge only a small fee for the studio. All they need to bring is their instruments." If the band needs an additional player, Mark can step in with his piano, keyboards, or trumpet.

I sat in to observe the recording process on a couple of the tracks for Mark's new CD. "My current personal project is making arrangements of Christmas Carols and recording a CD combining my instruments and voice," explained Mark. "It will be available on my website in time for Christmas."

If you have a musician on your Christmas list, think about getting them a CD - their own CD!