So,
what are your rates?
- Our
rates are between 25.00 and 35.00 per hour, and we normally
quote sessions on a project-by-project basis. Generally speaking,
the more time you block out and the time of week and time
of day you can record will dictate the rate. We will always
do our best to work with you and your budget however, so e-mail
us or call us and let us know what you need... we'll always
do our best to accomodate.
How
far in advance do I need to book my session?
- About
a month to 6 weeks is usually safe, but the sooner the better
to ensure that everyone involved can coordinate their schedules.
We do our best to be flexible with our scheduling, so there
are many times when we have been able to get in last minute
sessions.
How
long and how many sessions should I plan for?
- How
long it will take to record your tracks depends on many factors.
Obviously how many songs, how long the songs are and how many
instruments are on each song are the main factors. How well
you know your material and how well you can execute the performances
is another big factor. How much time you want to spend in
the mix stage is the other factor. Basically, we can record
as quickly as you like, but your results will usually parallel
how fast we are moving. In general, if you are a 4-piece rock
band (guitar, bass, drums, vocals) you can record and mix
a demo quality song in 3-4 hours. If you are looking to record
an album with a plan for radio airplay, the sky is the limit.
How long you can expect to be recording can be (and should
be) discussed in a pre-production meeting or phone call. Then
everyone has the proper expectations and there are no suprises.
Do
you require a deposit?
- Yes,
but how much depends on a couple factors. Basically, once
we agree on your session price and schedule, we can determine
a fair deposit amount.
When
do we pay you and what do you accept for payment?
- With
the exception of the deposit (which is applied to the cost
of the sessions) all payment is required at the end of each
tracking/mixing day, without exception. Cash is preferred,
but we accept checks with a valid drivers license. We also
accept Paypal, but Paypal payments are required in advance
of any sessions, so please let us know if you plan on paying
us with Paypal.
Do
you provide Mastering?
- Not
yet. We do however work closely with another studio that can
handle all of your mastering needs. Please remember, if you
are planning on recording a 3-song demo and have blocked out
12 hours of time, mastering is generally not necessary and
in most cases overkill.
Can
we use your guitars, amps & drums?
- Yes,
most definitely. Not only does it save you the hassle of bringing
your amps & drums out to our location, it saves you money
and time. Since our drum kit is usually already mic'd up,
it is one less step that has to be done. As far as our guitars
and amps, they are available for your use, but we understand
that most guitar players know their own amps, so you are more
than welcome to bring your own.
Do
you record bass direct or mic a cabinet?
- Both.
If we are recording a simple demo, we recommend that you use
our Avalon U5 DI or one of our 6 API 312C DI's, you'll be
suprised at how great they both sound.
Does
it cost any more to record to tape?
- Yes
and no. We do not charge a higher hourly rate to record to
tape, but it takes longer to record onto tape because of several
factors. The largest single factor is that fast- forwarding
and rewinding of the tape machine takes much longer than the
instantaneous functions of digital recording.
Do
you recommend using a click track?
- Only
if your drummer is used to using one. Otherwise it generally
causes more problems than it solves. Headphone click can bleed
into microphones and many musicians have a harder time finding
a groove with a click track tapping in their head.
Where
did the name Red Wall come from?
- When
we constructed our control room, we built a 12 foot tall x
20 foot wide wall, which got painted red. I really wish there
was a better story than that, maybe one day I'll come up with
one. We have no idea what the chinese symbol in our logo means,
we just thought it was fitting and looked cool. And no, we
are not communists; we're musicians.