Frequently Asked Questions

For our current rates please visit our recording service page.

Yes, we are proud to offer one the highest rated isolation booths for sound reduction in the industry, from VocalBooth. The specifications for the booth are below. Interior Height: 82 inches Wall Thickness: 3 inches Size: 4 feet x 6 feet Decibel Reduction Specs (Accurate to +/- 3dB) 125hz - 29db reduction 200hz - 36db reduction 500hz - 44db reduction 1,000hz - 46db reduction 2,000hz - 48db reduction 4,000hz - 65db reduction Please note, some companies use impractical testing methods to inflate their sound reduction numbers. In direct on-site comparisons, VocalBooth outperforms (reduces sound) more effectively than any other maker of a similar product. You can click here to read more about how they accurately test the sound reduction capabilities of their products.

Our minimum recording booking time is 2 hours. We offer a bulk discount when booking 8 or more hours of time.

Up to 3 people can come to the session as long as they are being recorded. If there are more than 3 people being recorded, we will split up the sessions.

Yes, all of our sessions include an audio engineer to record and help get the best performance from you.

Definitely not! We are dedicated to serving everyone regardless of talent, age, or ethnic background and encourage everyone to share their love and passion for music. We guide and coach our clients during the recording process, so even if you have never been in front of a microphone before – we got your back!

Yes, please allow ample time for set-up, clean-up, and file export to your storage device before the end of your session. The studio must be cleared promptly by the end of the session.

Bring your A-game! It's best to come rehearsed and refreshed before your session to ensure the recording process goes smoothly. We also recommend you bring a USB stick or portable hard drive to take home any project files.

Yes, you should bring what you're accustomed to using. In case you can't, we have some instruments and equipment available free for use: Epiphone Special II electric guitar Alesis Nitro DM7X electric drums Casio Privia PX-160 full weighted keyboard Moog Subsequent 37 Novation Summit Fender Frontman 15G amplifier

No, we recommend bringing in your own karaoke/instrumental song on a portable USB stick. If there is a specific version of a song available on YouTube, we can download this during your session.

Yes, however if you want to sell this recording you will need to get full licensing permission from the songs publisher. Please note that we cannot be held liable if you fail to secure the songs commercial use or distribution licensing rights.

Yes, depending on the project scope we can tailor a package just for you. You can fill out our production quote form and we'll reach out to discuss the details of your project.

Yes, provided your budget allows for it, as it is much more costly than leasing a non exclusive beat from us. Please visit our production page to request a custom quote.

Yes, you can hire your own session musicians if you'd like to. Please let us know in advance if this is the case.

For our current rates please visit our production service page.

Stems are the individual track lanes in your production that represent an audio or MIDI recording. Often these stems can be compiled together into whats known as a Group Stem, for example, the drums in a song. The Kick, Snare, Toms, Hi Hat, Crash, and Ride would each be their own stem, but grouped in the production as a group stem. This allows the engineer to work on the individual element recordings, but also on the entire drum recoding as a whole.

Mixing is the process of blending multiple audio tracks together using a mixing console or digital audio workstation (DAW) software. It involves using equalization, compression, saturation, and a variety of other tools to achieve the best sound and balance for each audio track and their relationship to one another. We can also enhance, reduce noise, and edit files that were pre-recorded by you or by another studio. After recording your tracks, mixing is the most important step in making a song whole. The end result is a high quality two-channel stereo output, ready to be mastered.

Mastering is the process of taking an audio mix and preparing it for distribution by applying the final touches. It involves further use of equalization, compression, saturation, and a variety of other tools but on a global scale. Think of shaping the forest as a whole, as opposed to individual trees. In most cases, it's also the process of making the song "louder" overall (AKA less dynamic), which helps it play consistently across all audio systems.

For a Full Mix and Master: We deliver your final mastered file to you within 7 days + 2 days per 20 stems in your mix. For example, if you submit a mix with 40 stems, the final master would be delivered to you within an 11 day timeframe. We offer a priority rush service if you wish to have your final master delivered in half the time. For a Vocal Mix and Master: We deliver your final mastered file to you within 4 days + 1 day per 10 vocal stems in your mix. For example, if you submit a mix with 20 vocal stems, the final master would be delivered to you within a 6 day timeframe. We offer a priority rush service if you wish to have your final master delivered in half the time. For a Master only: We deliver your final mastered file to you within a 2 day timeframe. We offer a priority rush service if you wish to have your final master delivered in just 1 day.

Yes, we can master your song without us having done the final mix. We do highly recommend that you have the song stems mixed professionally prior to it being mastered.

No, the final file you receive will be mastered by us. We offer a purchase option for you to receive the final stem outputs of the mix, pre master.

Exact methods on exporting your audio tracks will vary depending on the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) you are using, but you can easily find tutorials on YouTube for this. Generally, you want to export your files in wav format, 24 bit, and 48 kHz resolution. Please make sure all of the stems you submit are not clipping, and dry (no effects processing unless it's creatively imperative to your project). Also keep in mind that the length of the stems bounced matter, and all stems should be equal length, regardless of where the audio in the track lane ends. This is so there aren't any alignment discrepancies with the elements in your project. It is best to name your audio tracks so they are easily identifiable, and organize them so each unique sound lives on it's own track lane. After exporting the files from your DAW, you need to compile them into a zip file and upload that to any file sharing website that you are comfortable with.

Yes, if you want to submit an album, please fill out the form that you're redirected to after placing the deposit, for each song in the album. There is no need to place additional deposits for each song.

Yes, we use industry leading software plug-ins to tastefully correct the tuning of your vocals (or instruments) by measuring and altering their pitch to fit the songs key.

The lead vocal is the main content in the verse and chorus that contains most of the lyrics. The double or over-dubbing vocal is a take recorded overtop of an existing recorded vocal, which is usually the lead vocal. Adlib vocals are essentially background vocal phrases that are typically used as a call and response to the lead vocal, but can be used in a variety of other ways.

No, in most cases this creates more of a mess than you would expect, due to outdated/missing plug-ins, capatabilty issues between DAW versions etc. Working with clean audio stems is the best way to go for multiple reasons, and every DAW can bounce out stems. If you are unsure how to properly prepare and bounce your stems, please refer to this question.

Yes, we can mix in your intro/outro music, edit and enhance your vocal recordings, and even restore poorly recorded audio.

For the full mix and master form submission, please visit this page. For the vocal mix and master form submission, please visit this page. For the master form submission, please visit this page.

For our current rates please visit our mix & mastering service page.

Because this is a very in depth subject, we recommend doing some of your own research on the matter, however we will provide a basic explanation. Non exclusive beats are instrumentals that are leased for a very affordable price. However, this means that other artists can also lease this beat from the producer. Exclusive beats are instrumentals that are leased exclusively for the artist purchasing it. This means that going forward, other artists no longer have access to buying that instrumental. However, artists that have leased that instrumental non exclusively before it was leased exclusively, still have the right to use that instrumental until they reach the limit of their non exclusive license agreement.

Yes, please visit our beat page for our current catalog of beats for sale.

Bring your A-game! It's best to come ready and refreshed before your session to ensure you get the most out of your lessons. You're welcome to bring your laptop or whatever else you feel is necessary for you to learn effectively. If you plan on bringing instruments or equipment please let us know in advance.

We use Ableton Live to teach our students, however the lessons and theory learned can be applied across any DAW.

Yes, in addition to learning in-person at our studio, students have the opportunity to learn online from the comfort of their own home with video calling. With video calling we will be able to see each others screens and hear each others computer audio output.

Please visit our tutoring service page for our current rates.

Your tutor will be either Julien or Dylan, you can read more about them on the studio page.

Every student has different needs, goals, and obstacles - it's our job to help figure them out and support the students music journey despite them. This is why when a student books for the first time, we add a free hour to their session!

Please visit our tutoring service page to learn about the topics we teach.

Yes, and we keep it super hygienic with daily cleaning and sanitization.

Yes, there is free and paid parking is available near the building.

Please visit our Refund Policy page for our current policy on refunds, rescheduling, and cancelations.

Yes, the equipment at our studio is free to use in your session recordings or tutoring lessons.

Please visit our connect page for our current studio hours.

Yes, as you will be working in a professional environment, a deposit shows us that you are committed, and also secures your desired time slot in our calendar. In the event of cancellation, this deposit is refundable or transferable if we are provided with a minimum 48 hours notice. Please visit our refund policy page for information about refunds, cancelations, and rescheduling. Recording Booking a 2, 3, 4, or 5 hour recording session requires payment in full, and can be scheduled on our website booking system. You can do so by visiting the recording page and clicking your desired amount of time. Booking sessions in bulk (8 or more hours worth) requires you to fill out a form, and place a $100 deposit, which will be credited towards the total cost. After we receive your form submission, we will call you to schedule in your sessions. Tutoring Booking a 1, 2, 3, or 4 hour tutoring session requires payment in full, and can be scheduled on our website booking system. You can do so by visiting the tutoring page and clicking your desired amount of time. Booking sessions in bulk (8 or more hours worth) requires you to fill out a form, and place a $100 deposit, which will be credited towards the total cost. After we receive your form submission, we will call you to schedule in your sessions.

Yes, if the studio is available sessions can be extended.

We currently do not rent out our studio. We are confident we can help out with whatever you need - connect with us and see how we can help.

Yes, and we offer free complimentary coffee or tea.

No, we book clients by appointment only.

Yes, there are quite a few restaurants and convenient stores within short walking distance, but you are welcome to order food if you want.

We are following Ontario's guidelines, including implementing appropriate safety and cleanliness measures. If you require staff members to be masked please let us know prior to your session. All of our equipment, handles, and anything else in human contact is wiped down prior to every session.

All of our prices are in Canadian currency.

To book a session online, please visit this page. For a full list of our services, please visit this page.