Demo Recording Tidbits

Pre-production

This is good for just getting your song ideas down. This is the time you and/or your band work on the arrangement of the song, find the tempo and take notes of how you want the song to sound. This is for getting the raw image of the song down, record it to a click or drum track and then you or the band or hired musicians practice it in the tempo and arrangement that is going to end up on the actual recording. This is by no means a finished recording but it will save you time and money when you get ready to record and serves as a decent demo until the final recording is finished.

Recording / Tracking

This is where the fun starts. What happens now is what ends up on the album. If you are able, don't schedule any gigs for the couple of days or weeks you are recording so you can put all your energy into the recording. Put new strings on them guitars and put new heads on those drums. Make sure the singer is practiced, but that the vocal chords aren't strained. Have everything tuned to its prime before you enter the studio. If you have effects pedals that need batteries, have fresh and extra ones ready to go. Bring a bunch of those favorite picks of yours, drum sticks etc.--basically, be prepared. Make sure all the pre-production is done even if it's done on your own. Being prepared not only saves time and money, but saves from needless frustration. The more relaxed and confident you are the better things are going to flow.

Mixing

Mixing involves getting all of those tracks that have just been recorded to mix together down to a left and right master channel. Have an idea of how you want the album to sound. Listen to music and artists that you like that are in the same or a similar genre. Do you want more of a live raw Rock Sound or are you more into some of the sound effects that accompany a lot of music today? Do you want something really simple or more complex? A well recorded acoustic guitar and singer can sound awesome and yet this is relatively simple compared to an extremely in-depth hip-hop production. Don't worry, you don't have to have all these things figured out right now. The recording will take on a life of its own and you will probably change your mind a million times, but just have some ideas and some kind of vision for you project.

Post production / Mastering

Our goal is to make your album or song sound GREAT and make it sound great not only in the studio but at home, in the car, in the club, or anywhere it is played. The idea behind mastering is the icing on the cake. When you hear your recording played right after another CD or song on the radio, there should be some consistency. When you listen to a song and then your song is played, is it at the same level or does it sound softer? Is the bass too boomy or not boomy enough? Do the other albums you're familiar with sound crystal and your is just dull? It is amazing how great you can think a recording sounds until you play right before or after a professional recording. Suddenly, yours doesn't sound so great. This is a complaint I have heard from many people after they have spent their hard earned cash for a recording. It sounds great in the studio they recorded it in and as soon as they pop it in their car or home stereo ... ugly. It's all about how the recording sounds in the real world.

A/V Post

Making that video you have been working on come to life. Voice-overs, mixing music, adding effects. We will work with you so the vision you have for your project becomes a reality.

Production information request form

Quality Productions Fees

Copyright © 2005 Quality Production Media