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The Pancake Factory

Contact for price

Audio recording genre
Budget
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About
I guess you would have to rely on my customers' feedback. This is the second year in a row that I've been ranked as the #1 recording studio in Brooklyn (on Thumbtack, at least). I have both an academic and working knowledge of audio and audio technology. Not only am I current with audio mixing trends and the tech used to accommodate it, I know how it works "under the hood". At the end of the day, though, I am an artist and musician, so I approach all projects listening and feeling before relying upon my technical know-how. To quote the late-great Dickey Fox: "if this [points to heart] is empty, this [points to head] doesn't matter". (I am totally embarrassed if you know where that's from) Every job is a new learning experience and a new challenge. I like to think of myself as a perpetual student, so each client teaches me a new lesson in how to approach my craft and audio in general. I can't think of another job that affords a person such an ongoing, on-the-job education.
Overview

Hired 39 times

Background checked

1 employee

18 years in business

Business hours

Sun12:00 am - 11:59 pmMon12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash and Venmo.

Social media

Instagram

Services offered
Recording type

Singing only (pre-recorded instrumentals)

Singing and instrumentals

Instruments only

Voice recording (podcast, audiobook, etc.)

Audio recording genre

Pop

Rock

R&B / Soul

Hip-hop / Rap

Additional services

Mixing

Mastering

Editing

Pre-production

Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Great 4.8

23 reviews

5

91%

4

5%

3

0%

2

4%

1

0%

Read reviews that mention:


pro avatar
Robert H.

Oct 5, 2014

Hired on Thumbtack

Working with Mike on my four song demo was an absolute dream. He was willing to work within my budget and despite the recording/editing/mixing processes taking longer than we had originally planned (by no fault of Mike), he made sure the music came out to my satisfaction. He even provided me an awesome drummer, Aleks, when the drummer I was going to use dropped out of the project. Mike is also extremely knowledgeable about sound and music, a great teacher (I learned more from him in two weeks than I learned in over 3 years of playing music) and an honest & decent dude. I HIGHLY recommend him to anyone looking to make professional-sounding audio recordings.
Audio Recording
pro avatar
Anne G.

Jun 4, 2014

Hired on Thumbtack

I thought I gave Mike an impossible request. My very old recording had much background noise. He transferred it to cd without the noise. The quality of the sound is amazing. Thanks, Mike
Audio Recording
pro avatar
Jonathan B.

Dec 7, 2014

Hired on Thumbtack

as a group of musicians who take our craft seriously, we were really looking for someone who understood our creative goals as well as our budget restrictions. this was our first studio recording ever, and we feel that the hard work Mike put in really enabled us to do a lot with the small budget we have. there were some small delays, but these were sort of out of his control (a tree fell on his car). above all, mike gives a shit
Audio Recording
pro avatar
Monica H.

Sep 25, 2015

Hired on Thumbtack

Professional, Easy to work with, Kind, Super competent. We recorded a voice-over for a commercial: The client was happy and so was I.
Audio Recording
pro avatar
Marta D.

Sep 2, 2014

Hired on Thumbtack

I'll come right out and say it: this was my first go at recording and the whole recording studio thing. I asked my BK music friends for recording leads, but my investigation seemed to lead to the same conclusion: unless you have label money, you're out of luck. I quickly found out that telling engineers and/or studios that "I'm on a budget" is like wearing a scarlet letter. Hence thumbtack. I figured I would give it a whirl...in spite of the misgivings of my bandmates who wanted to track "in a professional studio". Thumbtack is a miracle, because we found Mike. The guy works miracles, and he's got patience for days. Not only did he help us with our LP, but he was also a fountain of information...giving us tips from his experience with the NYC music industry. It's like he actually cared about me and my band (which is impossible, because we're shit heads). The guys in my band are thrilled with the album we tracked, and we can't wait to get it mastered (he also had a couple of mastering contacts who also help out artists on a budget). Mike has a great set of ears and an amazing handle on music. Can't wait to work with him again.
Audio Recording
Credentials
Background Check

Michael Ruvalcaba

FAQs

  • What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

    Have realistic goals and don't overspend. If you're going to drop $500/day on a recording studio and you're just starting out as a songwriter/recording artist, you are paying way too much money. Do research on the high and low end of recording engineers, producers and recording studios. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

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