FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Our pricing is pretty simple, it's $100.00 per hour. That is what it cost for recording time, mixing time, and mastering time, all $100.00 per hour. Most studios have different pricing for different aspects of recording, we prefer to keep it simple, just $100.00 across the board. It's also worth mentioning that most studios are almost double that amount in our area, if not more. When you pick up your recording you will be provided a statement that shows what hours your recording was worked on. Like we said before, you don't nickel and dime you to death, if we work 1:15 hrs, you will be charged for 1 hour, at the end of the day, you will get some free time. You need to remember, this is our passion, not our living. We want to provide a service to people while feeding our love of music, we are on your side.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Normally we ask the band to come setup the night before recording if possible, that is always no charge. What this does is save you money and it allows us to get everything mic'd that night, run the cables, set up the files, all that good stuff (and all free). Usually about 3hrs worth of work that we don't charge you for. It also saves you time the next day because the instruments are fitted to the room, so you don't pay us $100.00 in a day listening to people tune their guitars. THE RECORDING PROCESS WE USE We will have everyone record a scratch track. This means everyone will be performing at the same time just as you would on stage as we record it. It is preferred to just get in there and the whole group play every song you want recorded, all in one day. This track doesn't have to be perfect. After we have the scratch track, we will do a quick and dirty mix of it, just good enough that everyone can perform to it. That takes very little time, maybe a few minutes per song. Once it is good enough to play with, we would have the drummer (for example) put on headphones, adjust the volume for him/her, then record them playing with the scratch track, 3 times through, recording each time. After the drummer is done, then the bass player, then the rhythm player, then lead guitar, keyboards, etc .(whatever you have.) Vocals will always be the last, each recording each song 3 times. Then recording is done and we start working with those tracks. What this process allows us to do, for example, of the three drum tracks for a song, we can pick out the best parts of each of the 3 and by splicing them together, getting the best possible drum line for the song. Then do the same with all other instruments and vocals. Seldom does anyone get an entire song perfect the first time through, this allows us to pick the best parts of each track. After that is done, when we have the best possible track of each instrument/vocals for each song, then it is mixed and mastered. OK, that is the process, here is the best guess I can give you on cost. Let's say it's a 3 minute song, each instrument plays it three times after the scratch track is recorded, that is another 9 minutes per instrument and vocal. So actual recording time for a 3 minute song, with a 5 piece band and 1 vocal would be about 1 hour. Of course that doesn't account for time between musicians moving in their places, all that stuff that takes time. In reality, a 3 minute song will take about 1.5 - 2 hrs. recording time if everyone is ready to go with no breaks, so that is about $90.00 - $120.00. Then we mix and master the song. There is no exact science to this but we normally estimate about 4 hrs. per song. If the musicians come to the studio ready and know their parts, that goes down quickly because we have less correction to make. Sometimes the total is only a couple of hours per song, but we have also seen some that took 6 or 7 hours to make it right. 4 hrs. is a good estimate. So, that will bring the total to about 330.00 per song (recording/mixing/mastering), of course that could go up or down, but that is a good guess. REMEMBER...that cost estimate is based on 5 instruments and one vocal, your arrangement will probably different. Possibly less, maybe more. The key to saving money is everyone knowing their parts before hitting the studio. Also, if we see it is going over time/cost very much, we will contact you before we continue. We won't blindside you with a bill you are not expecting. IF YOU ARE NOT USING A BAND AND USING TRACKS TO SING WITH The cost goes down quickly. While we don't assume any responsibility for the quality of the tracks you might be singing with, all you have to do is: Give us the tracks before-hand so we can upload them (no time cost to you) Then you show up ready to sing 3 times with each track. Just like above, we will cut/paste the best of each vocal and put with the track. Like above, it will all be $60.00 per hour. However, since the only thing that is recorded and worked on is the vocal tracks, it takes much less time, meaning much less cost. Veteran's Stories and High School Students needing recordings for college: Contact us for special rates. IMPORTANT: We do have our limits, if you want to come in and just record one track of each instrument and vocal of each song, there is a good chance we will decline working for you. While it's your name on the song, when people ask you where you recorded it and you say Back Roads Recording, if it stinks...it's as much of a reflection on us as you. That is why we spell out our process in advance, and we stick to that. It makes the best possible recording for you and keeps our reputation in tact as well. If you are wanting to have a recording of a song with your band for $50.00, we are not what you are looking for.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Mike Garrett, the Chief Engineer at Back Roads Recording, has been involved in the music industry for over 25 years. Mike has been the sound engineer for more groups than could be listed here, including many national acts. He also has training on numerous platforms used in the recording industry. Mike has a true understanding of the technical aspects of recording. Along with having a great "ear" for the right sound, he fully understands all the nuts and bolts of the business. Along with working on the actual recording portion of your project, Mike is in charge of all mixing on the project once it is recorded. David Day, the owner of Back Roads Recording has been playing music since he was 13 years old, almost 40 years of music experience. David has played backup for such names as Merle Haggard, Leona Williams, and has been a part of the opening act for The Charlie Daniels Band, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and The Nitty Gritty Dirty Band, just to name a few. David has been on some kind of stage most of his life and also sitting at the sound board for more shows than he could ever count. He understands the importance of making you sound as good as you can possibly can on your project. Along with working with Mike during recording, David is in charge of Mastering your projects.