We prefer to record all instruments dry. Excluding distortion and expression pedals, we highly recommend that no other effects be used during the recording process. Any effect you like to use can be sent in through a headphone mix while recording, but we have found that getting a good, clean take is always the best way to record. We will add any effects you would like during the mixing process.
The advances in technology for home recording studios have been astonishing over the past 20 years. Honestly, we wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for home recording. However, home recording has its disadvantages. Most people’s homes or apartments are not built with proper design or acoustical properties for a “clean” recording. Commercial recording studios invest tens of thousands of dollars in designing and building rooms that are properly balanced for resonance, timbre, and sonic frequency response. You may be able to “bury” your neighbor’s lawnmower in your mixes, but fragments of unwanted noises will always remain. Larger studios are also equipped with microphones and gear that are typically impractical for the home studio. This allows us to capture intricate details of the performance and dynamics that are often lost in home recordings. Then there is the mixing/mastering… most musicians and DIY engineers have a pretty good ear for what they want but don’t have the experience, gear, or ability to incorporate that sound in the mix.
There are so many factors that go into the price of recording one song. Much of that depends on you. Are you well rehearsed? How many instruments/tracks will be involved? What quality product are you looking to receive (demo or commercial)? We would be happy to meet with you to discuss your project goals to give you an accurate estimate, but there are literally thousands of correct answers to this question.
Yes. But we recommend using someone from our staff as they know the room, gear, and everything involved in the facility. We are confident that you will be more than happy with your end product! If you choose to use your own engineer, we do require a meeting with the engineer chosen to make sure they are familiar with our equipment prior to your session.
Please contact us if you have any additional questions!