StudioPros

 Are you a songwriter that has been writing for years and have no recordings to show for it?  You are not alone.  We have worked with many artists in the past that are “closet songwriters” looking to get their material out, but unsure of what the next step is.

Bennet Henry is the classic example of a talented songwriter who was keeping his songs to himself.  This Pacific Northwest business man is not a musician by profession, but loves music just as much as any other songwriting enthusiast.  He started out working with the Pros last fall by sending us his traditional country melodies a cappella without any instruments.  He had a slew of old crooner sounding songs he’d written on long plane rides, and compiled from various experiences in his daily life.

Studio Pros’ production manager Kati O’Toole heard promise in his melodies, even though his recordings were very rough and encouraged him to move forward with his music and get some guitar tracks to accompany his vocals.  Our talented guitarist Adam Rodeh took Henry’s melodies and created the backing guitar parts to transform his swooning melodies into full sounding songs. 

 

 Where's Your Alaska- Bennet Henry: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Having fun getting his ideas transformed into songs, Henry ordered layers of guitars for all of his melodies and eventually posted up his own music website where others could hear his work.  Now Henry shares his music with people across the country, not just his wife!  He’s even completed a full production of his song “Where’s Your Alaska” based off of the Jon Krakauer novel ‘Into The Wild’. 

You can be like Bennet and get your songs recorded. Remember, you don’t have to be a professional musician to get professional quality sounds.  At Studio Pros, we can help meet your goal of getting your songs produced.  Did you ever think you could have professional session players from Los Angeles play on your tracks?  Now you can.   No matter where you live, we can help you.

Send us what you’ve got, and we can help you transform your ideas into fully produced songs.  You may be the next closet songwriter brought into the public eye.

Click here to check out Bennet Henry’s site.

Learn More about Studio Pros music production service.

Matt Ryd, a Chicago based singer-songwriterjust recently finished up a 3 song EP with Studio Pros and took a few minutes to let us know the artist behind the song.

 

 Thought Was Wrong [3:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 All Would Change [3:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Check out more of Matt’s music at: http://mattryd.com

How did you discover Studio Pros?
I actually saw a small advertisement and was immediately intrigued. I’m a multi-instrumentalist, so I’ve previously recorded all of the different parts on my songs. But I’m also a huge perfectionist, and the “one-man-band” approach led mostly to a lot of stress and unfinished projects that were never deemed “good enough.” The funny thing is that it’s a lot easier for me to be satisfied with recordings of my songs when there are other people playing the backing parts. And the Studio Pros musicians are extremely talented, so I can feel very confident about handing the reins over to them. It’s nice, because it lets me focus on my singing, my guitar part, and especially the overall feel of the song.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I was born and raised in the Chicago-land area (first in the suburbs, then finally moved to the city), and I’m really just a midwestern boy at heart – I can’t walk through a door without holding it for someone else, and I’ve got a total Chicago accent. My two favorite things in life are music and books, so it’s only fitting that I’m finishing a degree in English while continuing to write and record music. I absolutely love this city and got a street performer license just for the fun of busking among the amazing architecture.

How long have you been writing songs?
There’s definitely some home videos of me singing made-up songs at the tender young age of “4-ish.” The first song I remember writing happened when I was 9 or 10, and was called “Riding in the Car with the Ryds” — a first-person narration from the point-of-view of two Beanie Babies that my sister had just purchased.

I first started seriously writing songs in high school. At the time, I only played piano, so I wrote a series of pretty sappy and unfortunate piano ballads. Eventually, though, I picked up an acoustic guitar, and that’s been my primary instrument ever since.

What inspires you to write music?
Everything. My life. Other people’s lives. Stories I read. Cheesy reruns of “Gilmore Girls.” Old movies. Just…everything. I write because I can’t not write.

More than anything else, though, other music inspires me to keep creating. I’ll sit and listen to “The Joshua Tree” or “Revolver” or any great album, and as soon as it’s over, I need to pick up a guitar and start playing. Part of it’s competitive: like an “I want to try to make something like that” attitude. But I think that, really, it’s just that listening to music inspires something in all of us – when you hear a song that really touches you, it connects on a deeper level than almost anything else possibly can. And when that happens to me, I want to turn around and put something else out there to do that to others.

Do you perform your music live?
Absolutely! I can be seen all over the Chicago area, playing anywhere from bars to coffee shops to living rooms to street corners. I love all aspects of being a singer/songwriter, but the live performances are what keep me convinced that this is what I was born to do.

Matt’s MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/mattryd

Learn more about Studio Pros music production service.

Mr. Dylan said it best, “The times are a changing”. So are the ways of getting your music recorded. Back in the day you could only go into a recording studio to get your songs recorded. Now, there’s the option of Studio Pros.

Some people may be turned off by this. Sending their music off into cyberspace seems unrealistic and threatening to the songwriter. The truth is each “studio musician and producer” you are collaborating with across the web has a face and a name. Not only are they living, breathing, and laughing people but they want to collaborate with YOU as a songwriter. Recording online is just a way to make recording more convenient for the songwriter.

Studio Pros is the perfect example of this. You can send your song off to Los Angeles to get it produced. Of course all of this is done via the internet, and the next thing you know… BAM, your song is produced and ready for the radio.

Hold up. What happened here? Do you want to be more involved in the production of your song? Sure you do! We have the tips that can make the online recording process the most creatively involved process for YOU as the songwriter.

Tips for Getting Songwriters Involved in Studio Pros Music Production Service

1.  Make sure your song is complete before sending it off: You must first be happy with a bare version of your song before you start adding layer upon layer of instruments.

2.  Be Involved: Give your vision of your song from the start to Studio Pros, reference tracks of artists you feel are similar, let the players know when they are doing a good job, positive feedback is always encouraging.

3.  Get To Know the Production Manager: Be friendly with the people in charge of the operation. After all, they are “producing” your song for you. You want to have open communication with them.

Learn more about Studio Pros music production service.

Ever feel like your stuff isn’t good enough for other people to hear? Many musicians feel that way, and as a result, their songs just pile up and collect dust.

 

 Halo: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Mark Ibberson is a perfect example of someone who decided to push through those feelings of self doubt and uncertainty, and get his songs out there to share with the world by using Studio Pros music production service.

He’s from a small village near Lake Geneva in Switzerland and has been songwriting for ten years now, but it wasn’t until 2003 that he decided to release anything. Songwriting is his passion he says, “I can do it whenever I want: Late in the evening, on the train to work… or in one of those boring meetings!” It’s usually in the most unexpected moment that inspiration hits you and you just have to write!

 Having other artists who inspire you is an important part of the songwriting process. Mark’s brother Paul is one of his main influences, along with Seal, Coldplay, Muse, Tori Amos, AaRON and Radiohead.

In 2003 Mark released his first album entitled “Goodbye Mr A” for which he used an old 300MHz PC and Cubase, 2 keyboards that went straight into an old 8 track, and he laid his vocal tracks over the top. Proving to be less than an ideal setup, Mark decided to try Studio Pros for his next album entitled “Imperfect By Design”, and continued to work with us for his EP “Look At It This Way”, which was released January 2008. Regardless of how you do it, the important thing is just to start the process of preserving your music - record it on a tape-recorder if you have to - send us the tape, and we’ll do the rest!

Mark says of working with StudioPros.com, that “it’s addictive! Online recording at Studio Pros means having a group of exceptional musicians, who each bring their own interpretation to the music. The songs don’t always end up how I had imagined when I wrote them, but that’s the beauty of collaborating with studio musicians: The different interpretations become part of the song. There is so much excitement and pleasure to hearing my songs evolve, and evolve fast!”

His advice to songwriters trying to get their album finished, is “don’t spend too much time on any one song. If it’s a good song, people will like it, even if it’s not perfect. Also, get the music out as soon as it’s ready, that way you don’t have time to get bored with the songs and can move on to new, fresh stuff.” Wise words.

So what are you waiting for? Send us your songs! Make yourself heard! We’re here at  Studio Pros  just waiting to hear your stuff!

Learn More About Studio Pros Music Production Service.

Mark Sadek Ricotta is a man of few words, but when it comes to songwriting he doesn’t hold anything back. Studio Pros just recently did a music production for Ricotta and got in touch with him to get to know the man behind the song.

 

 I Don't Wanna Lie: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

How long have you been writing songs?

“I’ve been writing since I was in junior high. I started playing guitar when I was 6 or so. I wanted a toy guitar when I was little out of curiosity and got a few lessons and that’s was about it really. I’ve been playing ever since.

Do you have any major influences in your music and songwriting style?

“My major influences would probably be early 90’s rock, a lot of classic rock, as well as cheesy pop music (it’s the truth). I take a lot from listening to the hooks in pop and applying them to my songwriting.

Have any particular bands or artists influenced your songwriting style?

“The biggest influences for me are Nirvana, Sound Garden, Led Zepplin, and the Beach Boys, and Sheryl Crow.

Where are you from?

“Originally, I was born in Greece, and then after that I was in Montreal. My parents were over in Greece for work, they were doctors, it’s a long story. Now my family lives in New Jersey. I’m currently living in Hollywood performing solo around the LA area and recording my songs.

Now You’re in LA. Has Los Angeles influenced you in any way as far as your song writing?

“I would say it has changed my songwriting because I’ve had to do a lot of acoustic shows since I’ve moved to LA, so I’ve been forced to write stuff that works acoustically. Playing solo has changed.

And you got a degree from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, right?

“Yes. The reason I went to Berklee is because I was already a musician and I didn’t really have much of a choice of where to go. I wasn’t really doing well in high school and so it was pretty much by default that music was what I was supposed to do. I studied Music Production and Engineering at Berklee and learned about recording techniques and production.

Do you record yourself now?

“I recently finished putting together a vocal recording studio in my apartment in Hollywood. I bought an isolation booth so I can practice and record vocals. My neighbors were getting fed up with me recording at my apartment here, so I had to do something about it.

You just recently finished up a Studio Pros music production service. What did you think about having your song recorded online? Was it something you had ever considered?

“I had never heard of getting songs produced online before Studio Pros. I had heard of exchanging ideas, but never meeting studio musicians online to play on my stuff.

Would you recommend it to others? Why?

“Yes. In my situation I would recommend this music production service to people who have an idea for a song that’s meant to be played with a full band. In my case, I wasn’t able to execute my ideas without outside help or record them because I didn’t have a full line of musicians. With Studio Pros you can get it all done in one place without having to rehearse them and deal with going into a studio and recording yourself.

Learn More about Studio Pros Music Production Service.

Creating a ‘band sound’ when recording individual session players

One of the most common problems I encounter when producing a track is the lack of a ‘real space’ sound. Most self-recording artists are trying to make the best out of what they have. What they usually have is a small room with home recording equipment. Sometimes it is easier and more feasible to have a musician record a separate track individually instead of a full live band. In dealing with this situation I’ve found a few ways to create a full band sound out of these individual session player’s tracks. The greatest obstacle to overcome in recording tracks separately is maintaining a natural sound. We always need to remember that some styles simply aren’t meant to be recorded separately. Try recording a jazz trio individually and you’ll soon find it’s a mission impossible. In the end, some albums were just meant to be recorded live.

Style Options

First and foremost, when I’m trying to create a “band sound” the style of the music must be decided. This is important in order to ensure the authenticity of the song. Deciding on the style will help the session players generate the same mood for the song and make more efficient use of time. I usually listen to reference tracks beforehand in order to gain a better understanding of what kind of sound will be reflected in the song. Think about how the music was recorded, what types of instruments, amps, mics, rooms, were used in producing the track.

Sketch It Out

After choosing the style, an initial sketch will need to be created. I’ve found it important to give the sketch to the individual artists. This will keep everyone on the same page and help them feel out the desired vibe of the song. This sketch should be kept perfectly in sync with the click track. Keeping in sync with the click track is more important when recording separately as when recording together. When recording live, the players can see each other. Part of creating that full band sound, as if they were able to see each other, is to make certain that all the players are referring to the same sketch.

Making charts is another way to guarantee synchronization. Even though the players cannot rehearse together, they must know the structure of the song perfectly. Arrangement mistakes should be avoided and repeat takes should be reserved only for exploring different feels or ideas. Most experienced session players will know how to make a professional chart, so just ask! It will be ten minutes well spent.

In Sync

The easiest way to begin recording is to start with a rhythm instrument over a perfectly synced or even quantized scratch track. For example, the first live instrument to be laid down can be drums and then add the bass. Hold off on vocals, keys, and harmony instruments until the end. Provide the same atmosphere during every session throughout the project in order to maintain consistency. Check that the players are following every break, off-beat and dynamic part to guarantee a cohesive sound. Keep those reference tracks close at hand; they will help to ensure everyone performs with the same desired sound in mind.

Mix

When I’m mixing tracks it is very important to know what part is going to be the most prominent element. The singer will most likely be the lead component, with the rest of the band filling in the other frequencies and places in the sound field. Two instruments that play in the same range should not be situated in the same spot. That would be akin to two people talking at the same time to the same person! If this situation occurs, spread the tracks in the sound field using panning. Panning an instrument even a few degrees to the side will give the mix a new dimension.

Placing the players in the sound field is probably the most important task in generating a full band sound from individual musicians. Each player should be placed separately using panning, reverb, compression, etc. If you record at home, room mics are not as efficient in this setting due to lack of acoustic reverberation. However, using artificial reverbs on close miked instruments will help you mask these acoustic problems.

Live Drum Sounds

In order to optimize the room sound, try adding room reverb on the drums that are dominant in the 500-2500 HZ such as the snare, toms and floor. Applying reverb on the overheads or hi-hat will sound unnatural since large rooms do not resonate at the same high frequencies that they do for snare, toms and bass drum. If you are adding reverb on the overheads, make sure to cut the high frequencies of the reverb so the cymbal will stay sharp and tight.

When you are mixing, make sure you get a quality sound for your track dry before you start adding effects. My personal choice is starting with the room reverb, to compensate for the lack of room sound. Then I move on to some gated or hall reverbs depending on the style. For example, when recording a rock song, I choose a room reverb with about 0.9 seconds of time, a delay of about 0.8 seconds will create the feeling of a mid-sized room. Later, I add a gate-reverb of about 1.8 seconds. I always try to cut back on the long reverb on snares. That will date the track and take away from the freshness of the music.

Compressing the snare top channel with a long attack/long release compressor is a mix engineer’s best weapon. This is a great way to get an attack of the snare drum while bringing more room noise back into the mix. Achieving that ‘in-your-face’ sound is very popular in the rock and pop genre of today’s music. But be careful! Overcompressing your snare leads to an excess of high hat in your mix.

To finalize my mixes, I like to compress the final output with a 20ms attack at a 1:3 ratio. This helps me tighten up the drum and bass with the rest of the tracks before I send the song to mastering.

Making your individual session players sound like a full band isn’t hard to accomplish, even in a home studio. Try out some of the techniques I use to create a live sound whenever I am recording individuals vs. a full band. There are no rules to recording. Be creative and have fun.

Learn more about Studio Pros Mixing and Mastering Services

Ever wish someone could help guide you through the entire music production process? I know I do, and for that, I turn to Studio Pros.

Musicians are notorious for being a bit behind the game when it comes to getting things done on time. That’s what we’re here for. At Studio Pros, we help you record your song every step of the way. We make sure our session players deliver quality material, in a timely fashion. Sure you could book time at an expensive recording studio, and spend thousands of dollars on your album, but why not keep the money you’d save NOT doing that, and work with us instead?!

If you’re having trouble getting things done in a timely fashion, and people aren’t taking recording your demo seriously, I have a few suggestions for you.

1.  Hire Studio Pros.  Don’t waste time trying to organize musicians and overcoming technological problems when you could be concentrating on writing new material. 

2.  Check ups. Don’t be anonymous.  Make sure you are interacting with the production team at StudioPros and are collaborating on musical ideas with the musicians.

3.  Show there’s prospect. Nothing gives musicians more hope than the prospect of a future in music. Get serious about your goals, and show them you have a plan.

4. :  Set a deadline.  Whenever you have a project goal in mind, make sure you have an “end in sight”.  Always set a goal for a project completion date.

I’ve often been frustrated when it comes to recording my songs with the help of my musician friends. It seems to be more of a waiting game than anything. “Let’s do it tomorrow at 9” has turned into, “How about next week, I’m really tired tonight”. There can always be an excuse for everything if you don’t give these flakes a reason that’s worth working hard for.

Learn More about Studio Pros.  Get your tracks finished now.

There’s a reason that guitarists should stick to their guitars and songwriters should stick to their songwriting…

Sometimes it’s better to go to studio musician for some outside recording help. Outside ears can bring attention to the minor flaws you may have in your home recordings that you’ve unconsciously brushed aside as being “good enough”. Studio Pros is the best place to outsource all of your musical needs. This allows you to be creative without the time consuming effort of trying to do everything by yourself at your home studio.

 The music industry is changing! Now anyone off the street can go and record a song with their home equipment and post it on their myspace page and call themselves an “artist”, but what is being lost in this process is quality. 

I must admit, I have the same problem. I’ve fallen into the trap of trying to do it all on my own; writing, engineering, grueling over a bass line (and let me be honest, I’m a terrible bass player), playing keys, guitar…whatever it takes. When I go back and listen to my self-produced albums I have to be honest with myself and say, “this really could be a lot better”.

Let a studio musician take care of that guitar part you’ve been trying to get out. Hire a session bassist to play that line that you’ve been trying to have your talented slacker musician friend record. Studio Pros is your best friend when it comes to meeting your musical goals and producing your music. Don’t wait around anymore. Get it done. And to top it off, get it done quickly and professionally at a low cost. What more could you ask for?

Learn more about Studio Pros studio musicians.

Brenna Whitaker is a talented singer that has worked with Studio Pros over the years. She’s also had years of experience performing around the country and studied and had her own bands around the country from New York, Vegas to Los Angeles.

Do you have any tips for vocalists out there who are trying to record in their home studios?

First of all, find a comfortable spot to set up your studio in your home. Next, have a basic set up to where everything is accessible to you while you’re recording. Make sure the outside noise is quiet and you are getting the best sound with what you have to work with. It helps to cover the windows to reduce noise and hang blankets or tapestries on the walls to soften the echos. Be creative with what you have in your home recording studio. There are no rules for recording in your own studio.

Do you have any particular vocal warm ups you do before you step into a recording session?

Depending on how big of a range the song is, I usually have to warm up my voice for about 25 minutes. I like to go through a series of ooh’s and aah’s, scales are always helpful to get my voice going. Also, just singing harmonies to a song on the radio is a fun way to get ready to record in the studio.  Do you do all of your vocals in one take?
Every once in a while I have that lucky song. But most of the time, I have to perfect things by punching into the song. The trick to punching in is finding a spot in the phrase that doesn’t effect the fluidity of the song. You never want to punch in the middle of a phrase or word.

What’s the best way to make multiple takes sound as if you were singing the song straight through?

I like to be nice to the mix engineer in this case. But there are things you can do to make punched in tracks sound fluid. Fades at the point of the punch in are a great way to make sure that there aren’t punch in sounds and weird transitions between takes.

Learn more about Studio Pros vocalists.

Hey guys,

Don’t be fooled by the name.  Studio Pros is still DrumsForYou.com with your trusty production manager Kati O’Toole and owner Elad Fish.  We are still the same team of studio musicians, in the same studios, in the same location in Los Angeles.  We just thought we needed to change the name to be less misleading since we don’t only offer drum tracks these days.