Membership in Soundmachine is an elusive thing, since not all people that use the space are actually members. Basically, it takes a member to get the key, but anyone can then practice with that member, given that it is understood that whoever signed out the key is responsible both for the equipment's safety and for locking everything up after Soundmachine's use. The key is kept at Ben West, and it is advisable for members to get a separate ID made. Ben West keeps a big pile of these IDs for people who check out keys. The following explains more about it all...

You do not need to be on the list at Ben West to be a member of Soundmachine. Membership consists of thinking of yourself as a Soundmachine member, using the space if you like, and giving input on issues where member input is needed - e.g. attending meetings or responding to email. There is a separate category of members who are "paying members" of the Soundmachine. The only difference between them and the non-paying members is that they can sign out the key and have paid a deposit. Everyone should try and talk to the directors to give input and be part of the process of fixing stuff up. We have a healthy budget, so ask for stuff and you may receive.

The $40 Deposit

This deposit places up to three names on the Ben West list for a school year and gives these people the right to sign out the key and microphones. This deposit should be in the form of an undated check made out to Swarthmore College. The deposits will only be spent to contibute towards the repair of untraceably damaged equipment. Directors must report any spending of deposits to the paying members at the end of the year. The deposit will be returned if unspent.

Signing out the key

Whoever's name is on the list is responsible for the Soundmachine until they sign out. You either sign out by returning the key, or if someone comes into Ben West earlier to switch IDs. This person will sign you out and sign themselves in, thus becoming reponsible for the room.

Non-paying members/guests

Guest use of the Soundmachine is actually encouraged. As long as the person who signed out the key is there, we want as many people as possible to use the room. Make more music, play more gigs.

Hours of Operation

Need to be discussed more. Basically, the Olde Club is adjacent to a few homes, and people complain if we are making noise at four in the morning. The deal as of now is that Soundmachine is open 24 hours Sunday-Thursday, unless we get a complaint. Then, we will deal with things. Try and get out of there by one o'clock in the morning just to be safe though.

HOWEVER, the Soundmachine is definately closed on Fridays and Saturdays from five in the afternoon until seven in the morning. Olde Club is used for parties and bands on those days, and thus is closed. If you can convince the directors that nothing is going on during the night you need, there is a slight chance you can practice. But don't count on Friday or Saturday night practices. If you have an on-campus gig on the weekend, check in advance with the Olde Club director to see if an off-campus band will be playing. Sometimes, people use the stuff for those shows, and the ensuing battle for equipment is a pain in the ass. It might as well be said, since we're on the topic of gigs, that the Soundmachine equipment does not leave campus. See the equipment page for more information about that.

Key Return

Return the key when you're done! Do NOT keep the key overnight and bring it back in the morning, even if you're the last of the night. We're talking five minutes here, please don't make Ben West mad or they will stop keeping the key for us.

Microphones

Signing out the key makes you responsible for all of the mikes. The best way to protect them is not to take them if you don't need them. Get them at Ben West, when you get the key.

Our neighbor, Career Planning and Placement

These guys may occasionally have evening interviews, and if so should notify the directors in advance that bands cannot rehearse at a certain time. We don't know quite how the system works with them (ie. how much "priority" they have over us), but Soundmachine will be considerate of our neighbors as long as we maintain mutual respect.