A: We're in Seattle's Interbay area. Call us for directions.
A: $400 w/ house engineer
: $500 w/ Brad Zeffren
: $300 w/ your engineer (first day at $400 if your engineer is new to the room)
Production services are available and can vary from project to
project. Call or email us and we can discuss your production needs in
detail.
A: Ten hours is the standard day in the studio. Sometimes they go longer, sometimes they go shorter. We're flexible and like to keep it fair. If sessions regularly last longer than 10 hours an overtime rate will apply.
A: The studio tends to book about a month in advance, so try to give us as much notice as possible, especially if you need a large block of time. We usually do have a few openings available on shorter notice. Please call to check the schedule.
A: The main room is pretty big (1500 square feet). We could record a group of 30 to 40 musicians if we had to. Try us.
A: Vibe is everything when it comes to recording. One of the most nerve-wracking aspects of the recording process is sitting on the other side of the glass (or solid wall, in many cases) while people in the control room discuss your art and talk to you by pressing a little button connected to your headphones. Eliminating the walls improves communication and leads to a more comfortable recording experience (see our client testimonials). It also allows us to offer a 1500 square foot recording space for a fraction of the cost of similarly-sized studios. There simply is no substitute for recording in a huge acoustic space.
A: Ah yes, the controversial question. There is no right answer to this one. Analog tape has many positive sonic effects for certain kinds of productions. It can add “warmth” to tracks, a sound that you may associate with many of your favorite records. It can also bring a more relaxed rhythm to the workflow of a session. Rewinding the tape between takes allows you to take a breath before attempting a take again. And, because there is no cut-and-paste, you get to keep playing or singing until you get it right. This can be frustrating at times, but very satisfying in the end.
Digital has its own benefits. With unlimited tracks available, you are free to experiment with new ideas, multiple takes and alternate arrangements. And it's easier to “fix” things along the way. The ProTools format is also very portable. You can work with your tracks at just about any other studio. Whichever format you choose, we guarantee you won't be disappointed with the sound.
A: Depending on the number of songs you want to record, the costs can be close. As a rule, though, tape is more expensive. A twelve song album can fit on two or three reels of tape at a cost of $150 to $180 per reel. The same album in digital format requires a FireWire hard drive that costs about $200.
A: We're happy to open our doors to qualified engineers. Please call to discuss arrangements.
A: If the project was tracked on analog tape, then you leave with your reels. If the project was done in ProTools, then you leave with a hard drive containing your tracks. If you mix with us, you will also leave with a data CD that is prepared to go to a mastering session, plus reference CDs containing your mixes in audio format.