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STUDIO
& RATES
So
you've clicked on the link to the Studio & Rates page, which
probably means you're looking for more information about the recording
facility. But in my years as a musician and recording engineer
I've learned that four walls and a roof don't necessarily make
"a studio. " Ultimately it's about people, so in addition
to the usual "studio tour" protocols that tend to apply
to pages such as this one, I'm also going to include some information
about myself and my experiences in this industry, as well as some
info on my theories regarding the recording of audio and the making
of records. I think that this may help you when deciding whether
or not Far Q Productions is the place to work on your project,
and if this information's not for you then you can skip the section
and check out the facility itself. Use the quick links below to
navigate:
Studio
Equipment & Tour
Rates
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STUDIO
EQUIPMENT
Here's
a list of equipment that is used for audio recording. There is
also some equipment that is for sale due to the recent shift in
business focus. Some of that equipment will remain in service
until it is sold. If you're interested in purchasing equipment,
please visit the Items
For Sale page.
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RECORDERS
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MICS
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16-
channel digital audio/video workstation: 3.0GHz Intel Pentium
4, 2GB RAM, 40GB System HD, 250GB Storage HD, M- Audio Delta
1010 interface, 24BIT/96K processing, Canopus ADVC50 video capture
card, TEAC CD- W54E1X-4X CD writer, NEC ND- 3520AW DVD writer
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Otari
5050B stereo 1/4" open reel tape recorder
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Sony
TC- 5600 1/4" stereo open reel tape recorder
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Denon
DR- M10HX stereo cassette deck
- TEAC
A-500 stereo cassette deck
- Sony
MDS- JE330 stereo MiniDisk deck
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- AKG
C3000 large diaphragm condenser
- AKG
D-112 dynamic
- Audio
Technica AT4033 large diaphragm condenser (2)
- Audio
Technica AT 2020 condenser (2)
- Audio
Technica PRO 7A electret condenser
- Beyer
M422 condenser
- Shure
SM- 58 dynamic
- Shure
BETA58 dynamic
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DBX
166A compressor/limiter/gate (2)
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Lexicon
Alex multi effects processor
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Lexicon
MPX- 100 multi effects processor
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Yamaha
R1000 reverb
- Tascam
PE- 40 parametric EQ
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MONITOR
SYSTEMS
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MIXERS
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SOFTWARE
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- Control
Room: Crown PS-200 reference amp powering JBL 4312 Control monitors
- Reference
1: JVC JA-S44 stereo amp powering modified Marantz HD66 3- way
10" speakers and modified "White Van" 3- way
12" speakers
- Headphone
System: Rolls HA43 Headphone amp providing 4 mono headphone
feeds (Mono selected for better clarity)
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- Tascam
M- 520 20- channel mixer
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- Recording
& mastering software by Steinberg. No Pro Tools
- Effects,
plug- ins, etc. by Waves, Steinberg, Sonic Foundry, Blueline,
CFX, Cakewalk, Izotope, Analog X, Antares, RGCAudio- and more
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ABOUT
THE STUDIO
There
are still a few "finishing touches" that need to be
put on the studio. Because of this, I'm going to hold off on the
"studio tour" section here until things are 100% complete.
Please stand by. . . .
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RATES
Ah,
the dreaded question of "what will my project cost?" There's
no way of predicting how much time a given project may take to complete,
and that's just a fact. However, the charts below have proven to
be a fairly reliable aid in estimating what to expect when recording
with Far Q Productions. The first table gives information regarding
media costs, the second shows hourly rates, and the third explains
available recording methods (described as "platforms")
and the estimated number of hours to expect per song for each method.
Of course, many factors can effect the final bill, so you should
always email or call for a more specific bid. Be sure to also check
out the "Recording Studio Agreement" and "Pre- Recording
Checklist" as these documents contain specific details about
policies and helpful information that can make your sessions shorter
and move along more smoothly. Last, there's a chart that explains
available video services and rates.
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MEDIA
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MEDIA
TYPE
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RENTAL
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PURCHASE
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QUANTEGY
456- 573111 1" OPEN REEL TAPE-
Currently
unavailable, but I will definitely offer it again when
Quantegy returns it to the product line. Quantegy 499-
574111 can be used as a substitute, but it is also difficult
to find right now. The best available option at the moment
is Quantegy 406, so the purchase price to the right is
for that tape. Again, the purchase price is approximate
so please contact me for a specific quote. I also have
some Quantegy 456 on hand for rental purposes.
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$30.00
USD PER REEL
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$104.00
USD PER REEL
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QUANTEGY
456- 173111 1/4" OPEN REEL TAPE-
Again,
Quantegy 406 may be substituted, but I also have Quantegy
456 on hand. There isn't much call for clients to purchase
the 1/4" reels, but I include the purchase price
for those who are "hardcore" about archiving.
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$15.00
USD PER REEL
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$54.00
USD PER REEL
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HOURLY
RATES
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SERVICE
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DAILY
RATE (UP
TO 24 HOURS)
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WEEKLY
RATE (25
HOURS AND ABOVE)
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Analog
and Digital Recording
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$35.00
USD PER HOUR
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$30.00
USD PER HOUR
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Analog
and Digital Mixing and Mastering
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$35.00
USD PER HOUR
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$30.00
USD PER HOUR
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AVAILABLE
PLATFORMS
This
chart outlines some of the most common recording methods and time
requirements for each. Of course, it follows "rule of thumb"
estimation and is not to be considered as etched in stone. Some
projects may take more time than indicated here, some may take
less. You're never billed for time you don't use. Reference this
chart as a general guide, and email or call for a more specific
quote.
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PLATFORM/MIX
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DESCRIPTION
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APPROXIMATE
HOURS PER SONG
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Digital/Digital
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All
recording, mixing, and mastering done on digital A/V workstation.
An excellent and cost- effective option for demos and smaller
projects.
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5
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Digital/Analog
(Stereo)
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All
initial tracking done on digital A/V workstation. Tracks
are processed and mixed from PC to 1/4" open reel tape,
then returned to PC for mastering. A great choice for projects
featuring acoustic instruments or for those who want an
"analog flavor" combined with digital clarity.
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PREFERRED
PAYMENT
Preferred
payment is cash, credit card, money order, or cashiers'
check. Personal checks accepted with prior approval and
with understanding that appropriate time for clearance
must be allowed- typically two to three weeks. Credit
card payments and cash transfers are processed via PayPal.
Please email to request PayPal invoicing.
ABOUT
THE STUDIO AGREEMENT
There's
plenty of mumbo- jumbo in the studio agreement, and some
folks may not have time or inclination for downloading
the file and reading it, so I thought it might be good
to add a few lines here that touch on the main points.
First off, understand that I worked many years without
requiring a studio agreement, and only after being stung
by ambiguity a number of times did I decide that it was
a necessity. I'd be embarrassed to state here the amounts
of money and time I've lost for want of a contract, so
I won't- suffice it to say that it's a lot of both.
The
studio agreement is required for all orders totaling $315.00USD
or above.
A
deposit equaling 50% of the bid and the signed studio
agreement are required by five days prior to the commencement
date on all projects. Absolutely no, and under no circumstances
will, calendar dates be reserved until the deposit and
signed studio agreement are received. Further, the deposit
is not refundable in the event that you don't show up
for your session and don't make a reasonable attempt to
cancel. Cancellations must be made by or before 24 hours
prior to your session. Cancellations made after 24 hours
prior to your session will be billed as half of your booked
time or half a day, whichever amount is greater. Sure,
it may seem a little unfair, but no more unfair than leaving
me hangin'. Just try canceling your dental appointment
an hour before you're supposed to be there and see what
you get- and believe me, I work harder than any dentist
you've ever seen!
On
the other side of the coin, there are several elements
in the studio agreement that work in your favor too. For
example, there's a "force majeur" clause that
covers all kinds of stuff, so if you wake up the day of
your backing vocal session and you're too sick to sing-
no problem. Just give me a quick call and we'll reschedule.
There's also a clause in there to protect your interest
in and ownership of your music, so you never have to worry
about me mass- producing and marketing your album. My
point here is that the agreement is a way to ensure that
things are clear and fair for everybody. Rest assured,
I'm not out here to screw people around- I'm out here
to make records. So let's get to it!
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