DeKALB | While club-goers dance to the sounds of hip-hop, urban and R&B at Club 122, 122 S. First St., local artists are upstairs, creating their own tracks and mix tapes in the club’s professional recording studio.

Since January, co-owner Paul Baggett and sound engineer Jimmy Lane have collaborated with local artists to help them create professional-sounding recorded mix-tapes and albums.

After contacting Baggett or Lane, artists can come into the studio and talk about the direction they want to take their music.

Artists can create their own beats and music or license beats or music created by Lane.

Local rapper Arnold “Deuce” Heard is one such artist currently recording at Studio 122. After seven years of freestyling, rapping and writing, Heard came to Studio 122 to record a 15-track mix-tape.

“It’s comfortable here,” Heard said. “It’s like a home environment. I can think clear here and be comfortable at the same time.”

Studio 122’s pumpkin-colored walls and dimmed, amber-frosted lighting help create a stimulating atmosphere where artists can relax while recording.

“In my opinion, what [artists] are looking for is a combination of the engineer and ambiance of the studio,” Lane said.

In addition to his engineering skills, Lane is also a skilled pianist, guitar and bass player, abilities that allow him to lay down real instruments to any track.

Lane has had 10 years of experience in sound engineering.

“My background is from a large, multi-million dollar production studio, 35th Street Studios in Chicago,” said Lane. “I was lucky enough to learn from Jerry Dornbusch, a Grammy Award-winning engineer.”

Lane has also worked with rapper Lil Jon to help create two of the tracks for one of his CDs.

While Lane’s involved in the recording process, Baggett executive produces the music and helps market it.

“I have a nice little network of DJs and club owners who will play [demos and mix-tapes] as a favor,” Baggett said. “[Also], with the studio being in the club, we can demo their music in the club. We’ll promote their music for free.”

As far as pricing, Studio 122 offers a base rate of $45 per hour, but Baggett and Lane say the price only goes down from there.

“We gauge [the price] on the market, quality of our equipment and the experience of our engineer,” Baggett said. “But we’ll come down on the price to help people achieve their goals of creating music.”

Despite the costs, Heard said it is worth the money.

“I’m getting great quality and great sound,” Heard said. “I know I’m getting what I am paying for plus some. [Jimmy] is willing to put the extra energy in.”

Although still a fledgling studio with only a month behind them, both Baggett and Lane said they have attainable goals for the future.

“By next year, I hope to have a couple of artists out with full-length albums,” Baggett said.

Lane added, “One of my goals is to have one of my artists go on to get a record label. I [want] to make serious music with serious artists and create highly produced material.”