Questions and Answers / Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long will it take to record?
2. What should we bring and what should we not bring?
3. Are you able to put any songs recorded into a format that can be sent away to get cd's pressed? Would you handle that too?
4. How can we save money in the studio?
5. Are prices for demo quality less? Would we be better off finding another way/place to do it?
6. How long will it take to record?
7. What should we bring and what should we not bring?

You will find all these answers below. If you are thinking about recording here, please read this so the recording process goes smoothly and you save money at the same time.

How long will it take to record?

There is no easy answer. Demo quality will not take as long as album quality. The rule of thumb for a demo is 1 minute of music takes about an hour to record. That is only a guideline. It could be much faster or much longer. Plan to spend about two hours setting up and working on drum sounds and about 20 minutes on each of the other instruments. That is the bare minimum for getting good sounds.

Album quality will take much longer to record. We could spend anywhere from three to 15 hours or more per song by the time it's done. That time would include setting up, basic tracks, overdubs, mixing and mastering. Of course it costs more, but by the time it's done, the sound of your release will compete with major labels.

What should we bring and what should we not bring?

You will need to bring your guitars, instruments, and any effects that are essential for getting "your" sound. Also, please make sure to bring extra drum sticks, picks, batteries, guitar and bass strings.

Don't bring people to the session who are not directly involved with the project. They will serve as a distraction and will end up costing you money in the long run. If you need extra people for background let us know before hand and we will explain what will happen.

Are you able to put any songs recorded into a format that can be sent away to get cd's pressed? Would you handle that too?

Yes, i'm able to master the cd and place it on CD to send to another studio.

A short note:
The microphones i have are 5 shure sm58's, 57's AKG d112, Oktova mk-319, and Audio Technica AT3525. i also have special application microphones, like the eletrovoice DE-90 carbon microphone (basically an old fashioned mic) for getting that weird and cheezy sound.

I am very confident in what i'm doing. i'm geared to bands that just cant afford a full studio, but still want really good sound, or a kick ass scratch demo for preproduction of an album. in other words, when you come over, you might feel skeptical of what i'm able to do at the very beginning, and how i do it. the proof will be in the pudding.

I'd like to add to the fact that i will be able to record anyone that wants to make a demo from records...I.E: if you or your friend is a dj, and wants to spin on a pair of 1200's and a phatt ass serious high end numark club mixer, via to my recording setup, and mixdown to a CD, and send it out to a club, or simply just want it on cd.

How can we save money in the studio?

Know your music! A recording studio is a very expensive rehearsal hall. The recording will go very quickly if you know how all the parts go and you don't listen back to takes that you know aren't "keepers". This also applies to background vocals, solos, percussion and any other "supplemental" tracks. Record your practices and evaluate the performances. Deciding what needs to be worked on or changed before you enter the studio will save you both time and money.

Are prices for demo quality less? Would we be better off finding another way/place to do it?

i offically opened my studio as of dec 1st 2000, and its because i have all this equipment to record with, and have been messing with it for years, but never thought of doing it for a career. so i do have very good quality sound reproduction (completely digital hard disk recording). my price is a flat rate, no difference in quality or prices, i'm not new at what i do,only now i makie it a living. There are other fair priced studios i do reccomend if i'm overbooked (such as Nada Studios, Portrait studios, HFX studios etc..) they may be a little more pricy, but not much. i'm really doing this, cause its what i do best, and what i love.