Quad Sound Studios does not advertise, but thegroup is undertaking a project this year to raisefunds for new digital equipment, which willreplace the current analog system, one thatmembers say is 20 years behind industry standards.

"The goal is for Harvard to have the premierstudio in sound engineering in the Boston area,"McCottry said. "I expect to see some major changeshappening in the studio this year."

Last year, the realization that the cost ofreplacing equipment nearly exceeded monies earnedfrom client use prompted the group to search forother funding sources.

"We're not up to par," Cass said of fundraisingfor a new digital system. "It will put us at thelevel of a professional recording studio."

In addition, the old equipment, most of whichwas purchased 15 years ago, is expensive tomaintain. Repairs last year cost the group about$2,000. Cass said new equipment, including acomputer, software and digital deck, may be morethan $5,000.

The group currently has less than $1,000 in itstreasury, but could easily raise revenue by hikingstudio fees. However, Cass said the group isopposed to charging musicians more.

"We want to make this available to everyone,"he said.

Instead, he said the group has applied forUndergraduate Council grants and support from thenew Student Activities Fund. Last year, the groupmet with Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III torequest funding, and also solicited donations fromlocal professional recording studios.

Treasurer Chiqui O. Matthew '00, of the Collegeband B-Side, is coordinating the group's currentfundraising efforts.

"I hope the University realizes our field is ahighly capitalized one," Matthew said. "It's toomuch to ask the U.C. to give us $3,000.