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recording
SMS is a digital recording studio. We record using PC and MAC workstations. Our primary recording station is a HD Accel ProTools system with a Control24 surface. The secondary workstation is a Mac system using a Digi002 ProTools system. The primary system can bring in 16 channels concurrently via the 96io. We can bring in 4 separate MIDI devices in a single pass. The Digi002 system is limited to 8 new tracks audio tracks and 2 midi tracks at a time.
Studio instruments available for use at SMS include a Roland V-Drums with a TD-8 sound module system, a KORG N264 digital music workstation and various percussion instruments. Any other instruments or effects units will be provided by the artist.
Working With a Producer, Studio Musicians, and Vocalists
SMS strongly recommends working with a high-quality producer on your projects for the very best results in getting your ideas and vision into reality. In fact, a producer is the first person you should involve in your project. A producer will sit down with you to map out your songs with instrumentation, vibe, and direction, and then pull it all together for you in the studio. A producer should be involved in your project from mapping through to mastering to insure a smooth and consistent sound from beginning to end.
SMS has been very pleased to work with a local producer who has over 25 years of music experience, and is one of the very best in his field. He works with clients of all ages and genres. If you have a vision, he can help make it happen with his proven expertise in producing a top product for you.
If you are a solo artist, but really feel that studio musicians would enhance your project and help you with the instrumentation that you can not easily create yourself, SMS can put you in touch with many different studio musicians. Some of these musicians are multifaceted, in that they play many different instruments. This may save you time and money by hiring 1 or 2 musicians to play many different instruments for you. Additionally, SMS can also put you in touch with local vocalists, should you need a fuller or more diverse sound on your backup vocals.
Take The Time To Interview Your For-Hire Talent
SMS does it's best to recommend reliable, trustworthy, skilled, and easy-to-work-with talent for-hire. But please keep in mind that it is you that needs to be comfortable and at ease working with these individuals, as the artist and primary visionary and owner of your project. You need to make sure that the people you are potentially hiring can and will bring your project to life in the way that you want. That is why SMS strongly urges you to interview and audition all of your for-hire talent so when it comes time for rehearsals and recording, everything is set to run smoothly and comfortably and you as the artist are on the same page with your for-hire talent. We recommend that you contact any for-hire talent, especially the producer, well in advance of your recording session to allow enough time for introductions, scheduling, mapping, and rehearsals.
For-Hire Rates
Hiring outside talent is the responsibility of the artist, and not SMS. Rates for producers, studio musicians, and vocalists are in addition to, and separate from, the SMS recording, rehearsal space, or flat booking rate. For-hire talent will invoice and contract with the artist on their own. Their policies are separate from SMS policies. Please see the Policies page for additional information.
Rehearsal Space
SMS facilities are available for mapping sessions, meetings with your for-hire talent or band, rehearsals prior to recording, and meetings about your promotional designs (if we are designing your promotionals). SMS rates are either quoted on an hourly basis, or as part of a larger package or block rate for your project.
An SMS engineer will be provided to run SMS sound equipment for your rehearsal(s) as part of your rate. An engineer may not be always necessary for mapping sessions or meetings that you may have at SMS with your producer, musicians, or vocalists. This will be determined on an individual basis, and/or as determined by your producer.
Recording will not be provided during rehearsals unless there is a prior agreement with SMS at least 48 hours in advance of the session.