BLACKROOM STUDIOS POLICY
- Mixing & Mastering
Mastered Final Product
The result of your recording, mixing, or mastering business conducted with Luke Garrigus DBA Blackroom Studios is in the form of a high-quality mastered stereo .WAV audio file, with included 2 rounds of mix revisions if needed (3 masters total). A download link will be provided for each round of masters.
Payment For ONLINE Mixing/Mastering Projects
Full payment for Mixing/Mastering services must be completed before any in-depth work will occur on your project. Payment can be made through Venmo, Facebook Messenger, and Zelle. A payment request will be sent to you after downloading and checking out your audio files. The client is responsible for any transaction fees. We do not accept cash.
Reference Mix
Please provide a reference mix at the beginning of the project. It is up to the client to adequately explain specific sounds they are wanting, and thoroughly communicate expectations and desired outcome for the project, from the beginning and throughout revisions.
Mix Revisions
The mix revisions process is crucial to your desired outcome for the project, therefore we require 1 round minimum of revision notes before considering any project complete. A reasonable number of mix revision notes will ONLY be accepted through the Filepass link provided for each round of masters. Further details on this process at www.filepass.com. 2 rounds of revisions are included. I am happy to continue making adjustments until the artist is satisfied with the final product.
Mix Revisions Continued
Mix notes sent only through message or email will not be completed. Each mix note must be timestamped at its specific location in the song's Filepass link. Comments must be uploaded within 1 month of receiving a Filepass link before being considered complete. Late deposit of mix notes may forfeit your remainder revision rounds and may require additional compensation for time spent. If you need more time, just ask!
Audio Stems
We DO NOT provide "mixed audio stems" of our work to be completed/mastered elsewhere unless originally discussed and agreed. You own all the rights to the agreed final masters, and you own rights to the "raw audio files" you performed, but we reserve the rights to the settings and inner workings of the mixes. If the paying client is not satisfied with the final product, we can continue with revisions until satisfied with the final master. After 3 rounds of revisions, a reasonable quote for additional time spent will be provided.
Additional Audio Files
-Instrumental Masters may also be provided at the end of the project with no additional expense.
-We DO NOT provide any "Rough Mixes" prior to the first Master.
-Backing tracks for live use can be created after the completion of your project, additional fees will apply.
-Mixed audio stems, for live use, may be prepared in MONO only. Additional fees will apply.
-Raw session files may be prepared at an additional expense, only after completing 2 rounds of revisions.
Return Time For Online Mixing/Mastering Projects
Return time varies depending on the scale of your project and our overall workload with other clients. We certainly prioritize a speedy return time for all projects, but not at the compromise of quality. Post-production can take between 30 and 60 hours of work per song.
No specific return time estimates will be provided.
Be assured your project is being worked on daily, in cycle with other active projects. We try to update clients on the status of their projects every few weeks.
Credits
We ask that artists provide production credits for recording/mixing/mastering services when uploading music to a distributor such as DistroKid or DiscMakers. Please ask if you are unsure.
Examples: Produced by Luke Garrigus (for full production), Mixing & Mastering by Luke Garrigus (for online mixing)
Shout-outs and tags on social media for song releases are greatly appreciated!
Release Date
DO NOT post your release date on social media until everyone has agreed on the final masters and our project is complete. Also keep in mind, when sending your music off to distribution (Distrokid, CDBaby, etc.), it can take 2-4 weeks to upload to streaming platforms.
-Recording (Full Production Only)
Band Members Only
ONLY band members or individuals directly involved in the recording project are allowed in the studio. A videographer or photographer is welcome in the studio to capture our recording experience.
Studio Time
Studio time is ONLY available for FULL PRODUCTION PROJECTS. No recording-only projects to be mixed/mastered elsewhere. Blackroom Studios' primary focus and service offered is Mixing & Mastering, however, we are prepared to invite bands into the studio to record, if the project will be completed at Blackroom.
Studio Deposit
A roughly 20% (of your total) nonrefundable deposit is required for all in-studio bookings. Cancellations result in the loss of your deposit. Your deposit may transfer to another date if rescheduled 20 days before your booked session date. Down payment can be made through Venmo, Facebook Messenger, or Zelle. A payment request will be sent to you after agreeing on dates. Dates will only be reserved for 5 days without the deposit before being made available to other clients.
Payment For Full Production
Payment for Full Production projects must be completed by the end of your booked in-studio recording session. Late fees will apply for late payments. Please establish a single method of payment to be ready at the session. (For example, all band members could transfer their portion of the payment to one band member before the session, and then that band member would conduct a single transaction with Blackroom) Payment can be made through Venmo, Facebook Messenger, and Zelle. The client is responsible for any transaction fees. We DO NOT accept cash!
Session Time
11:00am to 7:00pm
No early arrivals or early setups. There will be a half-hour grace period after your scheduled time to make up for traffic. Recording sessions that go later than 8:00pm will be charged an additional $50 per hour, due when the first round of masters is ready.
What Gear To Bring
You are welcome to use any equipment we have here, but you are also encouraged to bring any gear that is unique or necessary to your sound. If you plan to use Blackroom's guitars or drums, let me know ahead of time, so I can get strings, drum heads, and tuning setup before the session.
Studio Preparation ⭐
-KNOW YOUR PARTS! Guitar solos, drum fills, and vocal harmonies included.
We're looking for near-perfect takes, and you WILL NOT have enough time to write in the studio.
-Practice the song with a click/metronome.
-Hit the drums hard, pluck firmly on bass and guitars, sing with power, and annunciate lyrics!
-Serve the song, and don't overcomplicate your parts. Clean and simple > sloppy and technical
-Replace strings (heavy gauge) on bass and guitars the day of or the day before the session.
-In the studio, make sure everyone takes breaks to eat. Bring food and snacks, and drink lots of water!
-Record a rough pre-production demo or a simple phone recording at band practice. (Send to Blackroom)
-Send a scratch guitar track (for each song) to Blackroom the week before the recording session.
Note: Parts will be recorded 1 person at a time. We do not offer live tracking. The drummer will record first, to a click track and scratch guitar.
Return Time For Full Production
Return time varies depending on the scale of your project and our overall workload with other clients. We certainly prioritize a speedy return time for all projects, but not at the compromise of quality.
No return time estimates will be provided.
Be assured your project is being worked on daily, in cycle with other active projects. We try to update clients on the status of their full production projects every few weeks.
Studio/House/Baby/Dogs
If you are booking studio time, it is worth noting that Blackroom is half studio, half house. This is a private recording/mixing studio and NOT a space for rent.
Can We Stay The Night?
No, unfortunately, we are not currently set up for bands to stay the night at the studio. However, we would like to eventually have accommodations available for bands to stay on the property in the late future. For now, search AirBnB's, motels, and hotels in Bastrop/Smithville, TX area. Or, try to stay with friends/family in the Austin, TX area. We are only 45 minutes from downtown Austin.
What's The Address?
Blackroom Studios is located on the outskirts of Bastrop, TX, on 6 acres. Full address will be provided for in-studio clients after a session is booked. Roughly a 45-minute drive east of Austin.
What's Your Phone Number?
In order to keep up with information for a large amount of projects, communication will be conducted via email, direct message, or through Filepass revision notes. This way, all discussions, links, files, and information about your project will be easily recallable.
Social Media
Be sure to stay in touch on all social media platforms! I love to spread the word about bands I work with, and I always appreciate word-of-mouth referrals to your friends' bands.
Thank You!