FAQ:

What do we need to bring to the studio?

Guitarists:  Your guitar, new strings and picks.  I prefer you bring your rig to the studio... but if you don't have a decent one you're welcome to use the studio's.  Please make sure that your intonation is set correctly.

Drummers:  Your welcome to use the studio kit.  All the heads are changed frequently.  If you'd like to bring your own you can.  If you do, you should change all of your top heads, I prefer Remo Pinstripe 2-Ply heads but if you have a favorite sounding head then you should go with it.  If you haven't changed your bottom heads in the last 2 years I suggest you do that too.  Bring extra sticks.

Bass Guitarists:  I recommend you bring a your head  if you have one.  Please change your strings and make sure that your intonation is set correctly.

Here is a list of some other important things you might need:  Cables, batteries, food and drinks, note book, reference CD's, etc.  Please note that it is not our responsibility to provide you with these things.

How long does it take to record?

There are many factors that effect how long it will take to record.  How many songs do you want to record?  How well do you know them?  How many tracks, takes and overdubs do you plan on recording?  How perfect do you want the takes to be?  The list goes on and on.  Know your stuff.  Each individual person needs to know their part, you can't hide on a recording like you can in a large room that has a lot of reverb.  My old band recorded it's first CD in 8 hours with two hours of mix-down (9 Members, that's less than an hour per person)...  But I know people who have spent weeks on just 4 songs.  Don't expect to lay down 10 songs in a day because it probably won't come out sounding the way you want it to.  The one thing that I can't stress enough is to not rush me.  The more you limit my time to Mix Down and Master... the more you limit how good your recording can sound.  I'm pretty good at guessing how long it will take people to record so just e-mail me and give me a detailed description of your project.

Do we need to change our drum heads and guitar / bass strings? If so why?

Yes. This is extremely important if you want professional results.  Strings and heads are the source of the instruments sound. They in turn have the biggest effect on how the instruments sounds, no matter how good the instrument is.  Bottom drum heads need to be replaced as well, after time they will loose their elasticity and produce a weaker sound.  Please spend the extra $20 to have your guitar set up by a professional before you come into the studio.  I can't name how many times bands have come in and their intonation has been so off that we have to re-tune their guitar to pluck every high 'E' or something.  It's just a waste of time.

How long does it take to mix-down?

It depends on a lot of different things. The first song you mix will always take the longest.  We recommend mixing on a separate day and not bringing very many people.  It's something that requires time, relaxation, as well as peace and quiet.  It's something that can't be rushed if you want quality results!

Does Foundation Sound master? Do we need really need to have our project mastered?

Yes, we do have a mastering studio.

There's a lot of confusion among musicians and even studio engineers about the process of mastering, a.k.a. post production. They often don't know what it is, how it works, or even why it is necessary. It is not only mistakenly perceived as just another pass through the gear, but when told their master could benefit from post production, musicians often think that means their recording engineer gave them a bad mix.

Post production occurs after your recording is mixed, before CD and cassette duplication begins.  It is the final tweaking an album needs before it is ready for release.  Every major-label release is mastered to prepare it for radio play and retail sale.  Post production can make your album sound punchy, warm, and full, while raising the overall level (volume) and highlighting details that aren't already apparent.

The need for mastering bears little relation to the quality of your recording engineer's mix. It is a completely separate process.  It takes a mastering engineer to make that song sound great whether it's playing on CD or Vinyl, on the radio or through a car stereo system.  Every stereo system sounds different.

In the studio you record one song at a time, frequently resulting in songs that all peak at different levels and have different EQ settings.  A mastering engineer unifies the album by using EQ and compression to give it a consistent sound from track to track.

Post production can also raise your album's overall level through use of compression.  In the digital format, music cannot be louder than the digital stereo ceiling.  Transient peaks that creep into every recording are often too brief to be audible and prevent the overall level of your music from being as hot as possible.  Once the mastering engineer eliminates these peaks, he or she can then boost the entire program without affecting the music's dynamic range too much.  When done properly, post production can make your music sound as if it's louder than zero decibels.  The difference between a mastered song and an unmastered one really becomes apparent when the two are played back-to-back.

Post production also goes a long way toward making your music sound the same whether it's playing through a car stereo, a portable CD player, or a top-of-the-line home stereo system. One way you can tell if music has been properly mastered is if the mix sounds the same at any volume.

Can I bring my home recording in for you to master?

Yes, you can do this but please don't expect the results to be of the same caliber as that of a studio recording.  Mastering doesn't perform miracles, it only highlights a good mix by bringing the volume to an acceptable standard.

Studio Policies:

Studio Time, Payment, and Booking:

A session begins at the exact time it was booked for (whether you are present or not) and continues until recording has ceased and you are preparing to leave.  Payable hours will be subtracted for agreed-upon "lunch breaks" and for any down-time should the studio experience equipment failure.  We charge by the hour during setup time, mixing, and any audio transfer (unless you are on a 'per song' basis).  This includes burning CD's, mini-discs etc...

The availability of hours not yet booked is subject to change.  Sessions are by appointment only!

Payment is due at the beginning of the first session.  The customer has up until the transfer of the master copy to decide whether or not they are satisfied with the final product.  No refunds will be given after the master copy has left the studio.  Should you decide to cancel a session, a minimum 48 hour notice is expected.

Tapes, MD and CDR's:

You will need one CD to mix down to.  Please feel free to bring your own.  For your convenience we also have MD's and CDR's here at the studio.

CD's: $2

MD's: $5

DVD's: $5

Hard Drives: (Call for price or bring your own.)

    (Most projects are less than 5 GB)

    (Easier to back up to DVD or jump drive)

Beta Cassettes: $10

Please note that any time in studio, whether it be mix-down, set-up/break-down, or burning, is considered studio time. Hourly rates apply unless you are on a 'per song' basis.  Projects will be deleted after 2 months to free up space.  If you would like to have a permanent copy of your project we suggest purchasing a Mackie Removable Media Drive to make a hard disc backup of your project or bringing a

DVD-R to put your project on.

Using Studio Instruments:

We prefer that you use your own equipment during your recording, but if you need to use any of the studio's instruments and/or amps... please let us know in advance.  A good majority of the studio's equipment is not physically stored in the studio.  You will be expected to treat the equipment with the utmost care.

Leaving Your Equipment Here Overnight:

We don't mind if you want to leave your equipment here overnight, but we will not be accountable for lost or stolen items.

Other Information:

We strive to keep a focused, productive, and professional environment here at Foundation Sound.  Please limit your guests to 1 person per session, we don't have a lot of extra room to spare.  We will NOT tolerate horseplay of any kind, this is a professional environment and our equipment is very expensive.  No alcohol, drugs, intoxicated persons or indoor smoking allowed.  No Pets allowed.  They can NOT come into the studio and should not be left in your car.  Please be aware that Foundation Sound is located in an area that contains both business AND homeowner residents.  You are expected to be respectful of surrounding people's property.

* If you violate these rules, you will be asked to leave. You will lose any deposits and be accountable for your most current bill.

Studio Tips:

Guitarists:

A quality guitar amp will produce a quality guitar sound.  Simple as that.

Drummers:

Keep it simple. If you don't absolutely need all your cymbals and toms, don't bring them!  The more complicated you make the mic setup, the harder it is to get a natural sound out of your kit. Plus they take up a lot of valuable room.

Bass Players:

Bring a 4 x 10" rig.  10" speakers are quite capable of producing frequencies well below 20hz and will sound very crisp on a recording because the outside of the speaker moves very closely with the inside of the speaker, unlike a 15" speaker.

Vocalists:

Bring bottled water, and plenty of it!  Also keep in mind that the more you dance around in front of the mic, the harder it is to get a consistent sound. Practice standing 6" from the microphone.

Keyboard Players:

Bring good patch cables to avoid electrical pops and clicks.  Balanced (TRS) patch cables are preferred.

Horn Players:

Try to keep your horn at a consistent distance from the mic. The more you move around the harder it is to get a consistent sound.  Practice standing 6" from the mic.  You might also want to bring extra slide oil and a horn stand. Avoid candy and sodas the day of the recording.

Local Restaurants & Accommodations:

Food:

KFC

Pizza Hut

A&W

McDonalds

Sonic

Taco Casa 

Wataburger

Subway       

Joes            

Waffle House   

CiCi's                  

Jack In The Box   

Arby's                     

Taco Beuno             

Taste of Asia

Chili's           

El Ranchito                  

Chicken Express         

Soda Springs BBQ      

Wings & Pizza To Go   

IHOP                        

Mr. Jims                  

And many more...

Liquor Stores:

Crow's Liquor

C&L Liquor

Convenient Stores:

Stop & Go

Quick Trip

Music Supplies:

Brook Mays

Mr. E's

Guitar Center 

Hotels:

Best Western

Motel 6

Days Inn

And Many More...

Customers coming from out of state are welcome to stay with us for free (* if available).