Frequently Asked Questions:

1.  How much time should I book?

Hopefully you have read my advice before booking.  With that in mind, if you are making a demo to give to clubs for bookings, or a personal record of what your project sounded like at a certain time, then you will obviously not sweat too hard nor too long over too small a detail.  Assuming a certain level of preparedness, I would allow a day for 2-3 songs.  Some bands do more.  If you want to release your recording for sale, then you'll want to spend more time and make it better.  The end result is worth it... to a point.  After a certain amount of time, you can keep chipping at it, but it won't get much better.  Assuming a certain amount of preparedness again, I would allow two days for a 2-3 song demo.  Some bands have taken longer.

2.  Where are you located?

I am in Westdale near Princess Point and McMaster University.

3.  Can you use or create ProTools compatable files?

The short answer is yes.  I use Cubase Pro-13, which cannot import ProTools files directly.  However, ProTools can save projects in the OMF format, which Cubase can open.  Similarly, ProTools cannot open a Cubase file, but I can save your project in OMF format, which can be imported into ProTools.

4.  Why not just use ProTools?

I have used ProTools, and won't try to discredit it.  It is a great piece of software.  The range of third-party plugins for instruments and effects is far more expansive for Cubase.  Having used both platforms, I have yet to see an area where ProTools excels over Cubase.  Cubase has the added bonus of more flexibility to customize workflow than ProTools.

5.  Mac or PC?

I use a PC because I can fix them myself.  My knowledge of hardware and software allows me to have practically no downtime, so artists don't have to wait days for a tech to fix the computer.  That said, if you have files done on a Mac (typically, AIFF files), Cubase will work with them just fine.  Similarly, if you take your project to a Mac computer, Cubase will work with .wav files just fine.

6.  Can you transfer records, tapes, etc. onto CD?

No. 

7.  Can you make me a karaoke track without vocals from an existing recording?

The short answer is yes.  The quality of vocal removal depends on a lot of things outside of my control.  (ie. how the track was recorded and mixed in the first place)  Usually these wind up being very useable, and take a minimum amount of time.

8.  Why are you so inexpensive?

Two reasons... 1.  I am a musician myself, and like to help other musicians.  2.  This studio is a hobby for me.  I am good at it, but do not rely on it as a source of income.  Basically what you pay me is compensation for my time.  I own the gear, have no staff, etc. for overhead, and just like to do it.

9.  Do you have any opportunities for me to do an internship at your studio?

No.  For an internship to be valuable, you should really get into a fully pro studio.  However, I'm always willing to talk shop, so feel free to contact me and I'll tell you what I can.   If I get a sense that you are sincere, I'll probably agree to have you come down

10.  What is the difference between a "project studio" and a "pro" studio?

A few things....and this goes WAY beyond gear....

1.  A pro studio is usually a purpose-built space specifically with recording in mind.  That is its primary - or only - function.  A project studio is typically set up in a basement, a living room, a garage or something else originally designed to be something *other than* a studio.  

2. Because it is purpose-built, a pro studio has the means to be fully sound-proofed.  Sound-proofing a project studio space after-the-fact is a costly endeavor that very few will invest in.   

3. A pro studio will typically have a lounge, a kitchen, an office, a bathroom, and on-site parking.  A project studio will often have a bathroom, street parking, and a few chairs to put out.  Most project studios don't even have separate control and tracking rooms. 

4.  A pro studio will have larger acoustic spaces with higher ceilings because those rooms sound better and are more comfortable to work in.  A project studio will typically have traditional residential-sized rooms.

5. A pro studio will have over $100 000 in gear - maybe a large-format console, racks of gear, and a variety of mics costing over $2000 each.  A project studio will have a few pieces of rack gear, and a decent complement of pro-studio mics.... but not as many, or not as many expensive ones.

6. A pro studio will usually have a client list that contains artists who are established recording acts, or have done albums that have gotten noticed internationally.  A project studio's client roster typically does not.    

7. A pro studio is staffed by people whose primary income is the studio.  A project studio is typically run by a person who does recording either "on the side" or as part of a larger palate of musical income.

8. So, if you consider that a project studio is $40 or so, and a pro studio comes in at twice the price or more.... you're paying double, but you're getting more than just a bunch of extra gear.