Blog

Hey we made it back. The studio has been super busy- look us up on Instagram and Facebook! We built out a wonderful new tracking space in the studio. Very live sounding. It’s green.

Austin the intern is now taking on his own set of clients and sessions. You should reach out to him. He’s good.

As always freelance engineers are welcome here. Austin or I will be there to get wheels turning for you, then once you’re comfy we’ll get out of your hair.

Please take a look around the website. There are some new pictures and more info. I’m going to try and do a better job at making it more interactive and simply more up to date. It’s hard. I’m busy. I know you understand. Thanks for that.

Jeff from Vaudevileins just wrapped vocals and guitar last weekend. Let me just say that band/those people are fantastic. Do what you must to see/meet them, within reason of course.

Hot Cops! are back next weekend for another round of a half dozen songs or so. These are old friends and they are a joy. They made “cocktails” last time by which I mean vodka and energy drinks. I’ll stick to my 8 pack of unpronounceable flavored La Croix, thank you. Eh maybe I’ll do one.

So it has been over year. Kind of typical for news reports for recording studios, come to find out.

So the studio has moved just down the street to Urbana IL. 303 W Griggs. To be exact. There is a control room, live room, storage, and a lounge/extra recording space. I am always working to making it better, and I am already super proud of it. Over the last few months I’ve had to stop booking sessions, so I have been able to concentrate on updates.

Now I am back to booking single performer sessions. Vocals, Voice overs, Acoustic Guitar singer/songwriters. Stuff like that. It’s been really nice to have some new artists come in and start new relationships.

Obviously COVID is a huge set back for any recording studio. I am SO lucky to be able to take it in stride and be able to keep working, and life is fairly normal.

With booking sessions I am doing my best to stay socially distanced to the clients, wearing masks when needed and not giving big hugs after we have a crazy successful session. All mics stands and gear are being wiped down. It’s not as fun, that’s for sure, but we are making the best of every moment.

The next couple weeks 2 bigger projects are on the horizon. I can’t wait to tell you more!!

I guess I’m using this space as a news update for now, it’s been a while I know. Most notably is the potential of moving the operation out of my home. ToneGood has been in the basement of my family’s home for about 2 years now. Recording audio with a baby in the house is not easy. I’m unable to work late with clients who are potentially more comfortable at odd hours. There are a ton of small distractions that continue to pull me away from the work I should be doing. So with all that in mind sooner rather than later I’ll be moving to a studio space. A recording studio that’s not my basement. Now I just need to figure out what to do with my basement. Hmmph.

Recording is in full swing so far this Spring. BANDS!!! I love the amount of production and hip hop work I’ve had come through, it’s been the lifeblood of this studio. But recording ROCK BANDS is why I cannot quit doing this. And I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dead End Lights over at Earth Analog. They knocked out 9 songs in 2 days. I LOVE THAT SH*T. We have a few overdubs we’ll do here at ToneGood, then we’ll mix and master and release!!!! Love it!!

I have a couple more sessions coming up at Earth this spring and early summer. It is by far and away the most affordable full scale recording studio- analog or digital- in the state if not the midwest. It delivers a great experience. Contact me if you have interest in getting in there.

That’s a lot of info on what I’ve been up to recording-wise lately IMO. We shall commence again.

I record a lot of folks. I am ever-grateful for them to come to me to help them create. I want to record the very best product I can for them- but that takes some effort on their part too. Here is a list of things you may want to think about before you record.

1. What can I do to prepare?

PRACTICE. Come prepared. Even if you are entering completely prepared, there will be hiccups. It’s going to happen. If you have demos, send them to me. I can help find trouble spots (tempo, signature changes, harmonies, etc) that way.

2. What am I doing with the songs I’m recording?

Are you putting together an album? A mixtape? A single? Recording for a music video? These things sometimes can affect the way I record your project. You need to think of your recordings as a cohesive idea- and that needs to be easily translated by your audience. The clearer picture you have of what you want the better I work toward the common goal with you.

3. What is my roll?

Am I just setting up mics, hitting record, and keeping my mouth shut otherwise? Am I taking on any production roll? Am I tracking/mixing/and mastering? These are things I need to know.

4. How long with it take to record my project?

There are some general rules of thumb out there. You can usually count on it taking longer than what you expected, at some point in the recording process. Your bass player broke a string, and we have to send a runner to go get more. There’s a half hour gone. Drummer breaks a head, same thing. Vocalist loses their voice. Something will happen, and it will take up some of your time.
If you want copies of your songs every time you finish that takes time.
You want to eat food? That takes time. The best you can do is expect delays, and be ok with them when the occur. This will help morale to stay up, or at least even.

5. Does time=money?

Eh, kind of. If it is a bigger project I like to figure out an “all-in” budget before we even start. That way, we aren’t watching the clock and we can concentrate on the important stuff.
If you just book a 2 hour block, then we need to be a little more wary of time. I may have a session booked right after yours, and we need to be respectful of other people’s time.

Hey! That was fun. There are probably longer lists out there that will help you prepare for studio recording- I advise you look at those as well.

 

 

Never done a blog post, here it goes- I’ve done a lot of recording at the studio this year. Keeping a  recording studio in Champaign is super exciting- it feels like there are a ton of musicians in the population. So far this year I’ve recorded some really interesting instruments- a harmonium, a piano I learned my grandpa may have built, ukulele…the list goes on. I’ve had the pleasure of recording sound for a few video projects. What surprises me the most I think is the amount of hip hop and r&b I’ve tracked. There are so many talented folks in the region, and they’ve helped keep me super busy!

Just kind of testing the waters on the Blog segment of the webpage. Hopefully I can stay motivated toward this and keep the posts coming!