Recording Times

A five song demo requires about 20 hours (2 or 3 days to record the basic tracks, vocals, harmonies, and solos, plus one or two days to mixdown and master). A good rule of thumb is: 1 minute of recorded music = 11⁄2 hours of studio time. Here's a "typical" recording project breakdown:

One Hour Before The Session

We'll have your drummer or percussion come in to set up, tune, and get the drum sound 1 HRS before the session.

Day 1, Basic Rhythm Tracks

The bass can go direct to the board, Song 1 usually takes about 3 to 4 hours to record (including guitar amp setup, placing microphones, eliminating hums, hiss, and buzzes, setting headphone levels, getting everybody warmed up, etc.).
␣␣The rest of the songs take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or so per song, depending on the number of takes or effects needed. (One song will take a lot longer than the other songs - I don't know why - it just works out that way.) Figure about 2 to 6 hours for the basic session. It's a very long day but we'll take a lot of breaks. All you're going for on Day 1 is a good drums/bass/rhythm groove with a scratch vocal. The singer shouldn't push on any of the vocals today.

Day 2, Solos, Overdubs, and Vocals

You'll add solos, and possibly redo some tracks because you came up with something better. That takes about 4 hours. You did rough vocals during the basic session to help with timing. Now, you'll do the finished vocals & harmonies if you didn't blow your voice during Day 1. Figure on about 2 to 5 hours for vocals.

Day 3, Mixdown Session (Several Days Later)

Final mixdowns take about 4 hours for the first song and about an hour each for the rest of the songs. You'll listen on different speaker systems (we can even broadcast directly to your car radio, using our FM stereo transmitter) and we'll adjust the sound to get the best compromise for the final mix. Figure about 6 hours for mixdowns, or longer. Add another 2 hours for mastering. A "typical" five song recording project runs something like this:

Session Hours

Drum Setup: 1
Basic Tracks: 6
Solos & Overdubs: 4
Vocals & Harmonies 2 Mixdown 6
Mastering 2
Total Hours 21

Quality

What kind of quality can you expect for your money? Expect a finished CD that's as good as any pre-recorded product and meets FM Broadcast standards. We use only high quality CD-Rs that you can send to radio stations and sell in clubs. Expect CD sound quality.

PAYMENT

Payment in full is expected at the beginning of the recording session. No product (CD-Rs, cassettes etc) will be turned over until full payment is made. There are also material costs as described below. We accept cash, money order or certified checks (no credit card) if you prefer personal check, please notify me in advance. Any personal check returned for insufficient funds shall redeem this agreement terminated immediately and shall be responsible for the payment and any fees or costs incurred. The artist __________________________________ is responsible for any and all legal costs and attorney's fees, etc, required to collect payment for said check.

BOOKING AND CANCELLATION

A non-refundable deposit of 50% shall be required to confirm all bookings. Cancellation with less than 48 hours notice shall result in payment in full due for all types of recording sessions. No further sessions shall be booked, and no materials will be released until payment for cancellations is made in full.

SETUP TIME AND BREAKS

Setup time and breaks will be billed at the agreed upon hourly rate. Expect several hours of setup time if you are a full band. The engineer will break for 10 minutes every 2 hours to alleviate ear fatigue, and will take one 45-minute meal break every 5 hours. All this time is on the clock.

RATES

Our studio rates are $85.00 an hour, including engineer. There is a minimum booking time of 3 hours. Additional hours over 8 hours are billed at 1.5x the hourly rate ($127.50). CD-Rs are $5.00 each plus time at the hourly rate. Please note that these will not be given out until full payment of the session is given.

FACILITY RULES

Please understand that that this is a residential location and that there are neighbors. In order to preserve their needs for a quiet neighborhood, noise should be kept to a minimum while outside of the house.

SMOKING

There is no smoking inside the house. You may smoke on the street in front of the house.

PETS

No pets allowed

TRASH

Please be considerate about leaving trash around the grounds and the facility. Your momma does not work here. You will be expected to clean up all any mess that you make.

PARKING AND CAR ALARMS

If you have a car alarm, please be considerate about setting it off in the late hours of the night.

USE OF ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES

No illegal substances are allowed on the property. Any behavior deemed unprofessional by the house engineer of artist while under the influence of any substance will result in immediate termination of this agreement. No drinks are to be consumed in the control room or near any equipment.

EQUIPMENT

You are liable for any and all damage caused by clumsiness, horseplay, or intoxication to both your own equipment and ours (and to anything in the house). You will be solely liable for all equipment broken under these circumstances. We are not responsible for your equipment or persons in any way.

GUESTS AND VISITING

No guest or visitors allowed.

LIABILITY

Signature by artist or artist's representative below acknowledge these rates and rules are in effect, and exempt Victor Vazquez and Rumba Studios from any liability to either persons or equipment.