Our clients range from seasoned pros to first-time, living room singer-songwriters. These FAQs are designed to cover everything from the basics to more advanced topics.
- Q:
- What is mixing?
- A:
- Mixing is the process of blending individual audio tracks to create a balanced, polished version of a recording. For example, if a performer is recorded singing and playing guitar with separate mics, mixing combines those tracks—adjusting levels, tone, and adding effects—to create a cohesive sound.
- Q:
- What is mastering?
- A:
- Mastering is the final stage of audio production, where the mixed track is refined to ensure it sounds its best on all playback systems. This includes shaping the tone, controlling dynamics, and raising the overall volume to a commercial level—so the song translates well on headphones, car speakers, streaming platforms, and more.
- Q:
- What are overdubs?
- A:
- Overdubs are recordings added to an existing track to enhance or replace parts of the original performance. For example, if you record a live take with guitar and vocals, then later add a second guitar part or vocal harmony, those additions are considered overdubs.
- Q:
- What is multitracking?
- A:
- Multitracking is the process of recording separate audio parts on individual tracks, allowing for independent editing, mixing, and layering. It can be an alternate approach to recording something live, but can take longer and add complexity when mixing.
- Q:
- Can I record to a click track?
- A:
- Some artists prefer to record with a click track—a metronome in your headphones that helps you stay precisely on beat. It’s a common practice, especially for keeping things tight in post-production. That said, not every song benefits from it. For tracks with dynamic tempo shifts or a more organic feel, a click can sometimes disrupt the vibe. Ultimately, it depends on the song—and your preference. If it works for the track, we’re happy to record with a click.
- Q:
- Why do all your packages start with a live recording?
- A:
- Singer/songwriters are typically quite adept at performing their songs live while accompanying themselves. A lot of our clientele come straight out of the “open mic” circuit. Capturing songs live is also a way to keep costs down, since we also provide mixing and mastering as part of our package deals. If you prefer multitracking instead of live, just contact us to discuss.
- Q:
- Can I record multitrack instead of live?
- A:
- Recording entirely multitrack isn’t our default approach, as it can add time, complexity, and potentially cost. However, if you’re experienced with that workflow and prefer it, feel free to contact us—we definitely have clients who choose that route.
- Q:
- Can you provide stems?
- A:
- Stems are grouped audio tracks—such as vocals, drums, or guitars—exported separately from the full mix to make remixing, mastering, or further editing easier. We’re happy to provide stems upon request once your recording is complete. That said, since most of our sessions involve live guitar or keys and voice, the stems will typically include just those tracks, along with any overdubs added during the session.
- Q:
- Can you add midi elements and/or drum programming to a song?
- A:
- Each of our packages includes an option for “minimal overdubs and/or light production elements” at a slightly higher cost. This can involve subtle MIDI additions—like piano, keys, or percussion—as well as other light production touches. We intentionally keep things minimal to stay true to our mission of capturing a song’s essence, and to keep costs manageable so mixing and mastering can be bundled with the recording.
- Q:
- How and why are your prices so low compared to other studios?
- A:
- Our studio is much smaller—and our services far more focused—than those of a typical commercial recording facility. That focus allows us to specialize in one core thing, with a few variations: capturing the essence of a song for singer/songwriters, usually with just guitar and voice or keys and voice. We’re not set up for full band sessions. The upside? Mixing and mastering are included in the recording package—something rarely (if ever) offered at traditional studios. The only “catch” is that we follow a specific approach: starting from a live take, at least most of the time. This keeps the workflow efficient and helps make it possible to offer everything—recording, mixing, and mastering—for one low price.
- Q:
- Can you just do mixing and mastering if I’ve recorded my own tracks?
- A:
- Yes, in most cases we can mix and master tracks you’ve recorded on your own. The main caveat is quality—if your recordings have very low signal levels or inconsistent volume, they can be more difficult to shape into a polished final mix. That said, we’ve even worked with live iPhone recordings and gotten great (if intentionally lo-fi) results. So as long as the source material is reasonably solid, this approach usually works just fine. If you’re interested in mixing and/or mastering only—just reach out!
- Q:
- Can I record with you and have someone else mix and/or master?
- A:
- Of course. While our packages include mixing and mastering, we’re happy to customize things if you’d prefer to handle that part elsewhere. Just check out our package deals and reach out—we’re flexible and can tailor something to fit your needs.
- Q:
- Can I record cover songs?
- A:
- Yes, indeed. Recording cover songs is totally fine—and actually pretty common, especially if you’re building a demo to book gigs. If you plan to release the cover on streaming platforms or include it on an album, you’ll need to get the proper license, which usually involves a small fee. Fortunately, services like Easy Song Licensing make the process simple and affordable, depending on the song.
- Q:
- Can you help or collaborate with songwriting and arranging?
- A:
- Absolutely—we love collaborating on songwriting and arranging. While it’s not included in our standard packages, we’re always open to working together in that way. If it’s something you’re interested in, just reach out and we’ll consider what it could look like.