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Here is a simple overview for four types of recording sessions: Solo Artist, Bands, Sing A Long (Karaoke) Demos and Rap Artists. Most sessions begin with a consultation.

Consultation - Our staff will meet with you to find out the style of music you want to record. We might ask for examples of the sound your looking for. We will also answer any questions you may have about equipment, studio gear, legal concerns and copyright, rates and finished product. We will always make sure we have a common vision of the finished product before we begin recording.

Solo Artists
Preparation - We will make sure we have all the elements together to begin. This may include assistance with music charts, checking vocal ranges, setting tempos, etc.

Scratch Track - You will sing a temporary vocal track for us to work with as we begin production. Often times this will be to a solo piano track and click track. This will let us check timings, form, keys and begin to talk over ideas for production. The temporary vocal track is just that, temporary. We can move it, cut it, paste in sections or anything else needed for the final template.

Basic Music Tracks - Depending on the production this may include live musicians, midi, or a combination of both. Sometimes the artist is present for all tracks recorded, sometimes we do the complete production by ourselves. For most productions these tracks will be laid down in stages, sometimes they are all done immediately.

Final Vocal - Now we re-record the vocal to create a perfect final vocal track. The time this takes depends on the difficulty of the song and the accuracy of the vocalist.

Final Music Tracks - Now's the time for background vocals and any other additional music tracks needed for the final product.

Mix-Down - All tracks are mixed and await approval by the client. We make any changes the client wants. Oftentimes we also provide audio mastering at this point.

Bands
Set-Up - All gear and microphones are put in place. The engineer will listen to each instrument. Adjustments may be made to instrument settings and/or set-up. The engineer will have some questions for each player about their sound and desired finished product. During the consultation the engineer may have also asked for references to simliar groups so he knows the direction you want to go with the finished sound.

Rhythm Tracks - This is the most important and most gruelling part of the session. The engineer will be listening most closely to the drums. Once strong rhythm tracks are in place, you will listen through to the tracks to make punch-ins on other instruments where needed. Depending on the style of your music, all tracks may be laid simultaneously without overdubs. These rhythm tracks should all be completed in one session if possible to retain a constistency of sound and performance.

Overdubs and Vocals - Overdub guitar solos, vocals and any other additional instruments and/or effects. Some band recordings are done all at once and may not need this step. Some groups like the "raw" sound of a simultaneous "live" recording.

Mixing and Mastering - All tracks are mixed and await approval of the band. We usually try to mix on a seperate day from recording. It allows us to listen to the material with fresh ears and a new perspective. Sometimes a second engineer may be called in to mix your session once the tracks are finished.

Sing A Long (Karaoke) Demos
These are the simplest sessions and usually very quick.
Record Music Tracks - The engineer will record your music tracks while answering any questions you may have about studio recording

Record Vocal - Our engineer will guide you through the recording. He will listen to your performance and make sure you re-record lines that are a little weak and could use improvement. In a sense the engineer is also your "producer" for the recording.

Mix-Down - This is fairly quick because the music is already mixed. The engineer will fine tune your vocal track to create a sound that flatters your voice and matches the style of your music.

Rap Artists
NOTE TO RAPPERS: You're the boss. You tell us what you want. We've had several rap clients tell us we were the easiest studio and staff they ever worked with, that other studios had producers with their own agenda. You hired us, you tell us what to do. We'll make suggestions, but you make all the decisions.

Prices: We've done complete original rap demos for as low as $100 with everything included and mixed to CD!

Get A Beat - You can provide your own beat, listen to our sample libraries, or we can program a beat from scratch for you. We suggest using a beat from our sample library, it's the quickest way to finish your production. If you want us to program a beat then please bring in some examples of the style of beat you would like, that will speed things up. At this point you can take the beat home to practice with for a while, or you can proceed right to recording. Please let us know what's comfortable for you so we know how much time to book. Most rap artists will do a complete session to create beats, then work on production later.

Scratch Vocal - Record a temporary vocal track so we know the form and style of your rap. This will help us produce a track that matches the tone of your lyrics.

Edit Form - We'll quickly go through the song with you to figure out where you want breaks, instrumentals, break downs, choruses and verses and any other general form considerations.

Music Tracks - Start putting down music and samples over the beat. You might just want a bass line or a complete string orchestra, you call the shots. We've had several projects where we laid down complete music tracks within an hour. That's fast!

Final Vocals - Create a perfect final composite track. Our engineers will take multiple tracks and edit your final vocal for a perfect performance. This is also the time to decide if you want different vocal effects for different parts of the song, and to lay in any double tracks.

Mix-Down - Give us a reference of the type of mix you like from a major artist release and we'll try our best to match the sound. Nothing leaves the studio until the final mix is approved by the client.

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