Band & Group - FAQs
Click on any of the questions below to jump to the answer:
- Q1: How early do I have to book the recording session prior to the performance?
- A1: Book as early as you can to avoid disappointment! Sometimes in the year we are extremely busy i.e. months running up to Christmas. Due to limited facilities we can only do one session on any given day. We usually expect minimum
two weeks notice before a one or two day recording session. At least One weeks notice before recording a live rock or pop band.
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK UP!
- Q2: What are your requirements for a recording session?
- A2: We only require a few things in order for us to record a performance they are as follow:
* A space or room of at least 2M x 3M and a large table for us to set up the equipment, at maximum 30 M from the performers.
* 1 Standard 240V mains supply socket within 15M of recording space.
* A backstage pass if required - usually at live performances.
* Contact details of any sound and/or lighting engineers if at a live performance.
* Access to recording space 2 - 4 hours prior to recording session.
* Any musical scores, pre-recorded reference material etc. See Question 3.
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK UP!
- Q3: Do I need to provide any musical scores or audio material prior to the session?
- A3: Most sessions don't require a score. One would be handy if you have booked a session with a musical producer.
* It's also handy if you can supply us with a professionally pre-recorded CD (preferred) or cassette of a few pieces that you would like your tracks to sound like. This enables us to reference the pre-recorded material during
mix-down & editing after the session.
* If you supply us with audio materials it will be returned with your finished master recording.
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK UP!
- Q4: Do I need to provide any other information prior to the session?
- A4: It's beneficial if you can provide as much information as possible, so that you can get the most out of your recording session. Please provide as much of the information as outlined below:
* Directions to the venue where the recording will take place.
* Start and finish times (including up to 2 hours of breaks) of the session.
* Pieces to be recorded (title & composer) and relevant instruments/vocalists that will perform them.
* A diagram or photo of the room (noting windows, doors, stage, power points, spectators etc) with rough dimensions of where recording will take place.
* A diagram of how the band / ensemble will be laid out within the room.
* Information of any other rooms (maximum 30 meters from performers), where a 'control room' may be set up.
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK UP!
- Q5: Which venues are best to record in?
- A5: Many venues are suitable for location recording. You must remember that the acoustic properties of the room in which you record will be transferred to the recording.
* Try to find a room in which you like the sound of your performances. Try to avoid long narrow rooms or square rooms as these generally have bad acoustic properties.
* Please also try to avoid rooms with high voltage or neon lighting systems, rooms with air conditioning, rooms near noisy roads or airports or rooms with any other sources of uncontrollable noise.
* If you are recording live you may want some crowd 'ambience' included as this improves the feel of live recording - we cannot edit this out completely if you don't want it - tell your audience to keep quiet during performances!
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK UP!
- Q6: Can I sit in on the editing sessions?
- A6: Yes, if you can get there and find accommodation! At maximum two people may come to the editing sessions. We arrange editing sessions - so you must fit around our timetable. Please note that some editing sessions can last up to 6
days. For these longer sessions we will be able to advise you on what days will be best to sit in, as some days may dedicated to data transfers and other non-audio related matters.
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK UP!
* An initial rough mix of the performance on cassette either after the recording session or the next day.
* A production copy of the final mix before a master is produced and any duplication takes place (if requested) - this copy has to be approved by you before a master is produced or any duplication takes place. This will be received 2
- 7 days after the session.
* Further approval copies if the original production copy is not approved.
* A final master copy on a digital format of your choice - CD-R, Minidisk or DAT. You will receive this 1-2 days after approval of the production copy.
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK UP!
- Q8: Does my recording session come with any guarantees?
- A8: We do guarantee you an excellent quality recording, but remember that a good recording can only come from a good performance - make sure you are well practiced! The quality also depends on there being no external sound sources out
of our control i.e. dirty mains earth due to high voltage lighting. We will inform you of any problems before the session, but cannot guarantee that we will be able to edit these problems out. We also guarantee a high standard of musical editing for
our one and two day pro sessions. We cannot guarantee musical perfection for shorter recording and editing sessions as time constraints may not allow for it. If the recording does not go our way due to technical difficulties (very rare) we will
re-schedule a session to suit your diary at no extra cost to you.
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK UP!
- Q9: Why does it cost so much to do a recording session?
- A9: Recording equipment and its up-keep isn't cheap. Our studio is currently worth that of a brand-new luxury family car, and is probably more expensive to run and maintain! We also invest in the latest
technology so that you get the best quality product available. Also our staff are highly trained, experienced and dedicated, so they won't work for peanuts - but they're worth every penny you pay.
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK UP!
