FAQ
- Does The Recording Studio Specialize In Genres?
No we don’t, We’ve recorded everything from Country to Metal and everything in between.
- How Does The Studio Charge?
Recording studios usually charge by the hour, Babblefish charges $60 per hour with a two hour minimum. You can also book block time for $50 per hour, with an 8 hour minimum. The block hours can be split into smaller hour pieces as long as they are within a few days of each other. Week long lockouts are also available by request.
- How Long On Average Does It Take To Record One Song?
There is no magic formula to calculate how long it will take to record your song. The variables are almost endless. If you or your band is prepared and well-practiced then your session will move much more smoothly and save you valuable time.
- What Should You Bring To The Studio?
Bring your instruments, spare strings or pricks, and lyric sheets to the session. If you are not an instrumentalist bring lyric sheets with the chord progression on them, or lead sheets.
- Does the Studio Have Instruments I Can Use
Yes! We have a 7’2” grand piano, Hammond organs, synthesizers, drums, and a plethora of guitars and bass amps you can use via request. Always bring your personal instruments/amplification unless you have arranged otherwise
- What Happens After The Recording Is Finished?
When you’re done recording it’s time to Mix and Master the song or songs. These processes take your project from the rough mix to a finished project. However, if you just want the raw multitrack to mix and master yourself, or to add on to, we will give them to you with nothing done to them. We will charge the standard hourly rate for any transfers or bounces.
- How much does the recording studio time cost?
We have our rates listed on our Rates page
- How is the recording studio arranged (recording room wise)?
We have a Control Room which is connected to a vocal booth. Connecting these two is a small lounge area which leads to the live room. The live room is a large room, enough for your full band, and has a separate large isolation booth as well.
- Why use a professional recording studio?
Because we’re professionals! There are a multitude of reasons to go to a Pro studio instead of recording at home. Check out our “Professional vs. Home” studio comparison series on our facebook
- When does the recording studio operate?
We have office hours every day 10 am – 5 pm, but sessions are by appointment only. Give us a call or email us to set up a session
- What recording studio software is best?
It all depends on what you’re doing and what you are most comfortable with. Pro Tools and Logic are industry favorites, and we use Cubase by Steinberg.
- What recording studio does [famous artist] use?
While some places may have a signature sound, most of the “famous” sound you’re hearing comes from the artist themselves. Gear can get you close but every musician sounds different.
- What is the recording studio made of?
Mostly wood and acoustic panels. Hard wood floors, as well as rugs and sound diffusers and absorbers.
- What computer is best for recording?
Any computer should be able to handle light audio duties. Whether it’s a laptop or desktop. This couldn’t be said just a few years ago, but now mostly any consumer computers can record audio just fine.
- Can you record using tape machines instead of a computer?
Yes. We have access to multitrack tape machines, but it is time consuming and therefore much more expensive. There is also the cost of purchasing your own reel of tape. This will result in a unique sound, that only some may hear, but at a much greater cost.
- What do the recording studio staff do?
The staff will assist during a session, setting up microphones, running headphones, and helping to see that the session runs smoothly so that the client has a great studio experience.
- What does a recording studio engineer do?
The recording or audio engineer will set up the sound for your session. They know exactly how to place microphones on you or your instrument to get the perfect sound every time. They then take the microphone sound and blend it together with the rest of the instruments and perfectly balance the song and band’s sound through mixing and mastering. They blend the use of math and musicianship to create a product.
- What does a producer do in a recording studio?
A producer will give direction to the artist and engineer to make a better recording. Sometimes the artist or artists themselves will self-produce their recording. If you know what elements go into a great recording you could self produce, but if you aren’t as sure what makes a great recording having someone else produce for you might be a better idea.
- Can I afford it
Yes! Whatever your budget we will try to meet it.
- Can I tour the studio and listen to samples
Sure! Give us a call and we can set up a time to show you around. We have listening examples posted on our website
- Can you mix my project or add overdubs if I bring you the files
Yes! Just bring in your audio files and we can bring them into our software.
- How do I book a session
Call us at (937) 746-7876 or email us at babblefishstudios@att.net . We also have a contact form on our website at www.babblefishrecordingstudios.com.
- What payment options do I have
We’ll take cash, credit card, or check. (checks from established clients, or as a session deposit only)
- What is the minimum session time I can book
There is a two hour minimum on all bookings
- Do you allow session setup time
Yes, we allow up to an hour of set up time. When the studio staff starts running cables and setting up microphones billing time has started.
- Can we bring our pizza into the studio
Yes, to our kitchen/lounge only. No food is allowed in the tracking rooms.
- Can we bring our buddies to the session
Sure, Not recommend though. Friends can be a distraction, and can make your sessions go longer than you intended, resulting in more money out of your pocket.
- Can I take pictures or videos
Yes! Feel free to take all you want
- Can I use the studio drum kit
Yes. We have a Pacific by DW kit with multiple tom sizes
- Will you keep and store my session data or tapes
We will keep a copy of your session, but only up to a month. We recommend that you bring your hard drive and/or flash drive to make your own copy.
- How can I be better prepared for my session
We recommend that you have your music or sheets ready and practiced. Nothing eats up time like multiple unusable takes. We also recommend that you search online “how to prepare for a recording session”. Others’ stories may help you decide how to best prepare
- Can you help with food and lodging arrangements
Sure, we can point you in the right direction if you’re from out of town. There’s even a great pizza place across the street and many chain restaurants nearby.
- “I’ve got a great song! I’ll let you record it and I’ll pay you when I get famous! (or Sell records, or Give you copyright credit, etc.)”
No. We’ll get paid when the session is done.
We can’t do a blanket fee or a flat fee for any session, there are too many things that are price and time variable. However, if you have a budget we will try our best to accommodate everything you need within the budget. Please give us a call so we can help you plan your next project at Babblefish Studios. We are affordable and your project can be completed within your budget.