Q: I don't have any experience recording. Is that ok?
A: Sure. That's why I'm here. I can run all the equipment and I'm an experienced musician. I love to teach and help people to understand this whole process. I'll get you to sound great and understand why. It's quite a learning experience for most people I record.
Q: What is the first step in recording a song?
A: Well, first, we sit down and come up with a plan. Every project is different and it's important that the producer and artist know what to expect. Talking it out first will end up saving time and money in the long run.
Q: What do you charge? What will this cost?
A: We can do a consultation for free. I love to sit down and meet new, creative people. I do the actual recording and mixing for $30 per hour. This is less than almost anyone else charges. Plus, I like to think of it as getting a music lesson, a recording lesson, and a great sounding recording all at once.
Q: How do we record?
A: First step is tracking. This is where we record all the instruments and sounds.
Q: Should the instruments be recorded in a certain order?
A: I like to do the rhythm instruments first. ie. Drums and bass. This acts as the foundation for the song. Then, it's much easier to add the harmony instruments like guitars, pianos, horns, etc...We usually record the vocals last. Sometimes a band prefers to record all instruments together. This can be done to save time or capture a certain energy.
Q: Should my band record a demo or an album?
A: Most people want to record as many songs as possible. An album takes more time and costs more money. Of course, when you're done with an album, you'll have a cohesive piece of art that you can sell. I made this chart to help you decide:
| Demo | Album |
|---|---|
3 of your best songs Cheaper and quicker Think about packaging and artwork that shows you off and contains contact info Burn onto CD-Rs Be ready to give a lot away for free Purpose: To get gigs, recruit bandmembers, attract investors, get signed to major deal, help work out song ideas |
35-50 minutes of music. At least 9 songs Longer and more expensive Think about artwork and package design. Everything should look pro Consider mass-production costs Must be able to sell it for average retail price ($10 each) Purpose: To get gigs, attract investors, get signed to major deal, get radio play, sell and make money |
A: I think EP's fall into no-mans-land. It's too many songs for a demo and you can't really sell it for full price like an album. I think you're better off either: 1.) taking the best songs and making a GREAT demo, or 2.) Recording a few more tunes and sell that thing for a full $10. However, if you want to do an EP, by all means, we can accomodate.
Q: How will my songs be MIXED and PRODUCED?
A: Once all the instruments have been laid down, it's time to mix and produce the song. This means balancing the levels, adjusting the pans, and sweetening the sound. The more time we spend in this area, the better the final product will sound. I usually tell bands about the 1 star, 2 star, 3 star, and 4 star treatments. Here's another chart:
1 star |
(rough mix) - low-level demo quality. quickest mix possible. Set fader levels, pan, master effects. |
sample from Dude Dave |
|---|---|---|
2 star |
(good demo quality). some individual track mastering. Some aux busses. +1 extra hour per short song. |
sample from Jen Newman |
3 star |
(great demo quality or good album quality). more individual track mastering, editing, leveling. Aux busses. Radio quality. +1 extra hour per song |
Sample from Dicenzo, Burlson, Zehnal |
4 star |
(great album quality) – detailed track mastering, editing. Outboard gear. Experimentation. Plus, outsourced mastering. extra hours? - no limit |
Q: What is mastering?
A: Mastering is the final step where we look at the song as a whole. We put a final, professional sheen on the song. We make it sound loud and balanced and ready for the radio. I usually do my own mastering in the studio. But, if you can afford it, you can send it out to other mastering facilities around the country:
Q: Can you get my songs on the radio?
A: Yes. Off-Guard Records is a full-service music company, which means we can produce all of the multimedia a band would need including: photos, videos, and websites. We can use our contacts and internet resources to push a band's sound and image out into the world. We can do the following: