Our clients range from seasoned pros to living room singer/songwriters recording for the first time. These FAQs 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 separately, 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 guitar and vocals, then later add a second guitar part or vocal harmony, those additions are considered overdubs.
- Q:
- What is multi-tracking?
- A:
- Multi-tracking is the process of recording separate audio parts on individual tracks, allowing for independent editing, mixing, and layering.
- 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:
- 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.
- Q:
- Can you add production elements and/or drum programming to a song?
- A:
- Definitely. We can add light production touches such as keys, percussion, background vocals, or other simple overdubs (see our Pricing page). If the production becomes more involved, there may be a small additional cost. Our goal is always to enhance the song without overproducing it, keeping both the sound and the budget true to our focus on capturing the heart of your performance.
- 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 — something rarely (if ever) offered at traditional studios.
- 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. If the source material is reasonably solid, this approach usually works just fine.
- Q:
- Can I record with you and have someone else mix and/or master?
- A:
- Of course. While we include mixing and mastering, we’re happy to export your raw tracks if you’d prefer to handle that part elsewhere.
- 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.