Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. If there is anything else you want to know, or for additional information, please use our contact form.

How much does it cost to work with you?

We offer services either hourly or flat rates depending on the project. We work very hard to find creative solutions based on your project budget. The figure varies depending on the specific needs of each client.

How do you accept payment?

With most projects we request a 50% down payment prior to scheduling the work. This is payable via cash, check, PayPal or Stripe. Details are included in your invoice, and the remaining 50% is payable upon completion of the project, prior to supply of original materials. Ask about our payment plans! We're also open to good old fashioned b2b trades. (Marketing services, Advertising, etc.)

How long will the project take to complete?

Time frames vary from one week to three months or more, with the schedule depending almost entirely on project deliverables.

Can you start right away?

It’s possible, but our focus is always on current clients. Get in touch for specifics.

What’s your cancellation policy?

Cancellation fee is based on the hours submitted, if the project is on an hourly basis or a percentage based on the time estimate for the entire job. A 100% cancellation fee is due once the project has been finished, whether delivered to the client or not. If the project is on an hourly basis and the project is canceled by the client, the client agrees to pay no less than 100% of the hours already billed for the project at the time of cancellation plus a flat fee of $250 or 50% of the remaining hours that were expected to be completed on the project, whichever is greater.

 

Prepping for a recording session?

Reference the checklist below to get the most out of your time in the studio. Before going into this list, remember the basic rule of thumb is to be prepared and be comfortable.


Before the session

  • You’ve rehearsed the songs and all parts as you will play them in the studio (overdubs, too.)

  • You have more than enough songs ready to play.

  • You’ve rehearsed with your drummer listening to the click.

  • You’ve got your tempos documented and are prepared to play a little faster or slower

  • Your singer’s been singing every day

For the session, have ready:

  • Water & snacks

  • Be well-rested

  • Spare hard drives, if the studio isn’t providing them

  • Directions, hours, phone number, and web address for a local music supply store

  • Spare copies of music and lyrics for your engineer

  • Some pencils, blank staff paper and a notepad to write on Your loops/sequences/base tracks on a format acceptable to the studio

  • Your original MIDI sequences, in case they need to be flown in

  • Additional copies of your Reference Material

  • Any reference CD’s you’re used to hearing on your home system.

  • Your rehearsal tapes

  • If you prefer your own brand of headphones, bring some.

Guitarists/Bassists:

  • Bring your guitars and amp(s), of course

  • Good, proven instrument cables and speaker cables (and spares!)

  • Make sure your guitar is intonated properly

  • Put new strings on your guitar.

  • Fresh batteries and good power cables for all pedals

  • Manuals for any esoteric functions you’d like from your equipment

  • “A tuner. For the love of god, a tuner.” (Ben Olson of The Old Sins

  • Cord winders, wire cutters, and any other tuning/intonating tools

  • Picks

  • Extra batteries for any active basses

Drummers:

  • Obviously, bring drums, stands, cymbals....and spare cymbals for a larger, musical palette.

  • Put some new heads on a couple of days prior, so they can settle in

  • Extra drum heads and a kevlar patch if you use one

  • A drum key!

  • Any special tools, like a screwdriver or alan wrench, for all of your hardware

  • Your own metronome, drum machine or sequence you like to use for a click track

  • Most engineers like a hole in the front of the bass drum (or no front head at all).

  • Extra sticks and different kinds of mallets & brushes, because you never know...

  • A spare kick drum beater (or a whole second pedal)

  • An extra snare drum for sound (or spare parts if something breaks)

  • Extra felts for your stands

  • Did I mention water?

Keyboardists:

  • Your synths and any amps/di’s you swear by

  • Good & working instrument (and speaker) cables

  • Fresh batteries and good power cables for all of your gear & pedals

  • Bring your manual

Vocalists:

  • If you have a favorite recording mic to try, feel free to bring it.

  • Some room-temperature water

  • Your favorite tea, vitamin or herbal supplement

 

One last thing: Diplomacy is huge when it comes to saving time and sanity in the studio. Define your roles in the studio and determine which band members are responsible for “signing off” on which sounds. If there’s ever a difference of opinion, feel free to experiment using your own dollars, but be prepared to defer to one member of your group to make the final decision, depending on the part.... or you could just move on to something else and come back to it at a later date with fresh ears, having taken some time to listen to your rough mixes.