FAQs
What kind of gear do you have at your studio?
We have a lot of gear. Please be sure to check out our 'Equipment List'
We're new to recording. What do we need to know?
It's pretty simple really. Come prepared as musicians and bring whatever instruments and amps you may be using (which we will have already covered in our initial consultation). Making a good recording comes down to how you write your song, how you play your song, how your song sounds, and of course how we capture it.
One area that can sometimes be overlooked before the recording process is the maintenance of your instrument. Have your guitar setup, make sure your have fresh strings or drum heads, make sure your amps and cables are functioning properly. Some of this is obvious, but sometimes just taking the extra few minutes to make things their best before going into the studio can drastically change the sound of your recording and save you any potential hassle once the session starts. The bottom line: A recording is only as good as the sound being captured, in both how well a part is played and the tonality of the instrument being played.
And of course... know your songs! While some people can improvise in the studio with great success, even they have to know their song and part. This will save time and energy in the studio and ultimately allow all of us to get more accomplished in less time. We can only edit and correct so much, besides things sound better when you don't.
What's the recording process consist of - what's it all about?
Pre-production: writing songs, arranging songs, rehearsal, maybe even a rough recording of a rehearsal
Tracking: This is the actual recording of the instruments and vocals, etc. Often times basic rhythm tracks are recorded first, such as drums and guitar, and then vocals and other instruments are recorded over them.
Mixing: This is where you set levels, effects, processing and put it all together.
Mastering: This is an absolutely necessary and final stage that prepares your music for its final distribution and delivery medium such as a CD.
We separate all of these phases because it is the professional thing to do and it is the best way to create a good, solid recording. Pre-production isn't absolutely necessary, but it can help a lot, so if you can do it - do it. We can do the pre-production here too, but if you have even a crappy recording device of your own, it's better than nothing and it's free that way.
Do you really make professional sounding recordings even at those cheap rates?
Yes we do. There are a several ways we've been able to under-price most studios and still offer professional services:
We keep our overhead low. We own our space (all 4500+ sq ft of it!) and don't have payments on our equipment. Some of the non-essentials that drive up facility cost, we have avoided. Yet we still have great gear, 2 recording studios, wonderful rooms, a huge load in area, 2 fully functional bathrooms and a lounge!
We use modern, professional gear that records beautiful sounds and offers exceptional value for its price.
We've focused on purchasing recording-related equipment rather than instruments (although we do have a handful of instruments and amps available and can get others when needed).
Do you require deposits to book sessions?
We do, please see our rate sheet for more specific information.
How much does it cost to record X number of songs at your studio?
This is an extremely difficult question to answer in general because it will vary greatly depending upon factors such as: arrangement, the size of the band, playing skills, number of layers, purpose of the recording and other variables.
We offer free consultations, so the best thing to do is get in touch with us and come visit the studio. Once we know your scenario, we'll then be able to give you a better ballpark on price and make a few recommendations to you. If you already have some studio experience you might have some idea on how long it's going to take you to record, so just refer to the pricing page for info on rates.
We know that the cost of recording matters for musicians and we are working everyday to offer an alternative: pro results at project prices.
Do you charge by the song?
No, we don't. We've done everything we can to be flexible and cheap with our prices, offering all kinds of different options to meet your needs, but we don't offer this option for a couple of reasons:
Everyone takes a different amount of time to record a song. We simply can't fairly price a flat song rate as some music takes half an hour and other takes a month.
We don't use presets and pre-formulated ways for recording your music. We pride ourselves on addressing you as a unique artist and developing recordings based off of your personalized sound and requests so that you end up with a unique product with an identity all of its own.
Are there any extra or hidden charges?
No. Check out our pricing page and rate sheet. It's all there in simple terms. If you're confused, simply ask and we'll clear up any confusion.
Have we forgotten to answer a question? If so... just contact us by phone, email or Facebook and we'll get back to you, usually within 48 hours.
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