***PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE RECORDING TIME IF YOU ARE NOT 100% SURE YOU CAN RECORD OR COME UP WITH THE FUNDS. THANK YOU***
Frequently Asked Questions - These are questions that are asked on a very regular basis. Please read if you plan on recording.
Why do you charge a flat rate and use package deals?
We have found that flat rates and package deals are the most cost effective ways for bands to get their recordings done. In the past, we had charged by the hour and found that not only was it costing bands much more, but also bands were more stressed out and watched the clock the entire time hoping to not exceed their budget. With a flat rate, you know exactly what the recording is going to cost you and you can work stress free.
How do your prices compare to other local studios?
Go ahead and check around. We have found that in Northern Indiana, we are not only the cheapest, but also produce some of the best quality work around. Most studios locally charge $45-75/hour and some will charge upwards of $200/song. If you find someone else that is recording cheaper than we are and as good of quality, we will most certainly be willing to work a deal with you.
When is payment due and what are my options of Payment?
In order to receive your finished product, payment must be made in full. While Blackdove Studios does not require any sort of down payment to start, we will have to have 100% of the bill in order for you to get your master copy. We would love to do payment plans and let you pay for your recording from selling your CD, but we have tried this in the past and it has failed. You can make payment by either cash or check. Credit and debit are not accepted.
What is the recording process at Blackdove Studios? Can my band record live?
The normal process at Blackdove Studios is for each instrument and vocal to be recorded separately track by track. We have found that the best recordings come when we are able to isolate each instrument and focus on them one at a time. While we are able to do live recordings, we highly discourage it due to the lack of quality and also the lack of necessary inputs to give you a really full sound.
A typical recording session at Blackdove Studios usually starts with the drums recording along with a rough track (usually someone playing a guitar). Most times, one guitar will then record their parts, and then the second guitarist will record. Next the bass player will lay down his tracks. Lastly, the lead vocals will be added into the mix and any background vocals. Any additional parts are then added in. Next the songs will be edited and mixed and then finally mastered to give a final product.
As a guitarist how can I prepare and what should I expect when recording?
Guitarists should always bring all their own equipment to Blackdove Studios. Many bands will build the best guitar rig from both guitarists equipment while other bands like the uniqueness of each guitar players sound and will use their own individual equipment. If you do not have very good equipment, we highly suggest borrowing someone's equipment for the day as it will be well worth it and will sound much better. We recommend changing guitar strings about a week before you record in order to break them in a little, yet still give them that quality sound. Old strings will sound dull and lifeless, while strings that are put on the day you record will sound too shiny and will fall out of tune the entire time.
As a bass player how can I prepare and what should I expect when recording?
Bass players do not need to bring any bass heads or cabinets. We record bass directly into the system. The key to recording quality bass tracks is making sure all your notes are even and without any real weak or strong hits. The key is consistency. New strings are also a plus.
As a drummer how can I prepare and what should I expect when recording?
Probably the most important part of the recording process is the drums. They can often make or break a recording. In order to prepare for recording, we ask that the drummer tries to play his drums with his cymbals raised as high as he can play them comfortably. Also, the drummer should play the actual drums as hard as possible and the cymbals very lightly. This will give for a very punchy sound and will prevent leakage of cymbals into the drum mics (snare, toms). The other key to recording drums is new drum heads. Often the biggest complaint we get is lifeless or dull drum sounds, especially the snare. This is often due to not hitting the drums hard enough, but it is also due to having old heads. If cost is a factor, the heads in order of priority would be snare, kick, then toms. Wait to put them on until we start recording. We can help tune and replace heads if needed. Also, drummers will often want to play along to a metronome to make the songs tempo even throughout. If you plan on doing this, we suggest practicing this before you come in, as it can be a nightmare if you have never done it before. Some bands use a metronome, some don't, it is just preference.
As a vocalist, how can I prepare and what should I expect when recording?
The biggest thing any vocalist can do is come in with all of the lyrics completely written. More time is wasted in the recording process when vocalists are writing the lyrics as they go. Know exactly what you are going to sing and how you are going to sing it. Blackdove Studios has a vocal booth for you to sing in or you can use the live room, it is your choice. We also have a wide variety of microphones you may use in order to best fit your voice.
How can our band prepare as a whole to record?
Know your songs forwards and backwards. Do not come into the studios and expect to finish writing a song there. This waste so much time. Know exactly how all your songs are going to go so there are no surprises. Also, if you have access to a metronome, try playing your songs to it as a band. This can result in a much better finished product as well as easier editing and recording.
Does your studio run Pro Tools?
We do not use Pro Tools at Blackdove Studios. This is due to the fact that we want to keep things cost effective for you and for us. We use Ableton Live 5 as our main operating system. We have concluded that we almost always are putting out a better quality and sounding product than those that are using Pro Tools locally. Blackdove Studios is not about listing high end equipment in order to entice you into our facility. We want you to listen to what we have put out and compare it to those that use Pro Tools.
So what equipment do you use?
As previously stated, we use Ableton Live 5 as our main operating system. We also have a wide array of programs and plugins that we use along side of it. We use Wavelab for many editing projects and Izotope's Ozone 3 for Mastering. We also have the complete Waves bundles plugins which includes many of the top plugins available such as compressors, eq's, reverbs, delays and more. We also feature Antares Autotune to help out with pitch problems in vocal tracks. We have literally hundreds of different effects and plugins at your disposal. We also have many high microphones including industry standards such as the SM57's and SM58's as well as the AKG D112 and AKG Perception 200.
Do you have any synths or keyboards available?
We have a MicroKorg synth and a Yamaha keyboard both including massive sound banks.
Is there anywhere to hangout at the studio?
Yes, we have a lounge area that includes a big screen TV. We have Sony Playstation 2 with a large assortment of games. We also have tons of DVD's (including music DVD's) for your enjoyment as well. You are more than welcome to bring any of your own gaming systems and DVD's that you would like. We also have a futon and a fridge for your use as well.
Is my band able to stay the night if needed?
Bands may stay at the studio at the rate of $5 per person per night (max. of $25 per band per night).
What are the hours of recording?
Blackdove Studios runs 2 sessions - a morning and a night session. The morning session runs from 9:00AM to 1:30PM and the night session runs from 5:00PM to10:30PM. You can schedule full days or you can do whatever session works best for you.
Where are you located and how can I contact you?
We are located at 10672 W Anglin Rd, Etna Green, IN 46524. Etna Green is located centrally East of Plymouth, IN and West of Warsaw, IN 15 miles from both of them. Etna Green is 45 minutes south of South Bend. You can contact us through our myspace or by calling us at 574.265.7206.