FAQs

How do we book time?

All booking inquiries should be addressed to Ryan,

Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Phone: 510-663-8346

Once we have set time aside in our calendar, we will invoice you for 50% of the session total in order to hold those dates.  Time is not considered booked until a deposit has been received.

What methods of payment do you accept?

Cash, credit, and checks are all good.  Credit card payments can be accepted online through a secure server.

What is your cancellation policy?

Any cancellation within three months will forfeit your deposit.  While we are happy to accept last minute bookings, the bulk of our business is booked far in advance.  If your group cancels, there is a decent chance we will not be able to fill that time on short notice.  Thus, we go without paychecks, and become upset.  Plan ahead, and we’ll all be happy as clams.

Who is responsible for our data / tapes?

You are!!! While we make every effort to store client’s files (as a backup for your own efforts), it is YOUR responsibility to bring a hard drive (or two!) to keep your data safe.  This is no place to cheap out.  The rule of thumb is that data should be saved in at least three places if you want to consider it truly safe.

Is there any charge for using your instruments?

No.  Everything is available for you to use and enjoy and is included in the day rate. 

What about Piano tuning?

Piano tuning is the responsibility of the client.  Please let us know ahead of time if you intend to use the piano so that we can have it tuned in advance of your session.  Expect tuning to run about $125. 

What about food?

There are many restaurants and bars in the neighborhood, from cheap and quick to serious cuisine.  The studio has a fridge, microwave and a coffee maker, so it is possible to slap together some basic grub if you are on a tight budget, or don’t feel like going out. 

What can we do to make sure our session runs smoothly?

I’m glad you asked!  Here are some suggestions:

Practice!  The better you know the fundamentals of the material, the more time we can spend seeking excellence, rather than adequacy.

Get your instruments tuned up! 

Guitars should be intonated and set up with fresh strings.  Drums should get new heads.  If you have broken, or lousy sounding cymbals, get new ones or borrow some for the session. 

Make sure your singer has been singing!  Singing uses a complex series of muscles and you need to be in proper singing shape to sound your best.

Don’t bring a crew.  We are here to work, not hang out.  Folks who aren’t specifically part of the creative process almost always slow things down, which will either detract from the quality of your album, or add to cost of it. Sometimes both.

Call us for advice if you have any questions before your session, we are happy to offer whatever guidance we can!