FAQs - Recording & Industry

We occasionally get calls from people who want to know more about the recording process and what the studio experience is all about. Hopefully, the following will answer some of those questions…

How long will it take me to record my music?
Answering this question is sometimes as difficult as trying to predict the future. How long does it take for a painter to paint a portrait? It can take an hour or a year. At some point you'll need to decide how much time and money you want to invest in your music. The more prepared you are the less time you will need. The best approach would be to call us for a free estimate based on your band, budget, and needs.

Can Skylab record demos for bands?
We do it all the time. We can also provide you with a list of every radio station/college radio station/ record label/etc… in America in case you'd like to market your demo.

$60 per hour, why is it so expensive?
IT'S NOT. Really. Studios of this caliber go for $100-$200 per hour in places like Orlando and Atlanta. In part, our prices are low because Gainesville has a very low cost of living which allows us to stay competitive. We prefer steady business at a low rate as opposed to sparatic business at a higher rate.

Can Skylab help us get a record deal?
We offer our clients free consultations with bookings. There is much about the industry you should know before setting out on a quest for a record deal. There are definitely certain etiquettes to follow when approaching radio stations and record labels with your music. We'll sit down with you, discuss your goals and suggest which paths might be best to take. If nothing else, our consultations will save you a considerable amount of time and money down the line.

Why does it take 2 - 6 hours to set up mics for live drums?
A kit with 9 drums usually requires 12 mics. Each of the mics and drums take 15-20 minutes to set levels and tune. 12 mics x 15 minutes each = 3 hours. Sometimes it takes longer depending on the size of the drum kit and the condition (tuning) of the drum heads.

Can Skylab make beats for my song?
Yes we can and have done it for many rap/pop/electronic artists. Regular studio rates apply. One song can take anywhere from 1 hour to 8 hours to compose beats for depending on the complexity and length of the song. Bringing in a sample of the beat or sound you're looking for will help speed up the process.

My music is DOPE! Y'all wanna be a part of this - can you finance my recording?
No can do. It's not that we don't believe in you, it's just not the type of business we do. That's what record labels are for. We're a professional recording studio.

We've never recorded in a big studio before - will that be a problem?
Definitely not a problem. We're patient and supportive. All you have to do is play your instruments - we'll handle the rest.

FREQUENT MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT MAKING A RECORDING

I don't have to pay money to record my music, I have a home studio.
You can't expect to spend $10,000 - $50,000 on a home studio and have it sound as good as a $500,000 - $1,000,000 + dollar studio - even if you're an electronic artist. Home studios are great for composing and arranging - I've got one myself. If you want to compete with the professional bands, however, you'll eventually need a professional studio to get a professional quality recording.

If I have ten songs, I should be able to record them in a few hours.
This doesn't even happen in the movies.

As long as we record right, we don't have to spend much time on mixing and mastering.
Mixing and mastering is where the magic happens and makes a HUGE difference in the overall sound and dynamics of the recording. Again, it's a HUGE difference. We recommend a minimum of 1 hour of mixing/mastering for every 2.5 hours booked.

I can record this song at home in 2 hours, so that's how much time I need to book to record them in a professional studio.
Actually, on average it takes at least 3 times longer to record in a professional setting than it takes to record at home. What takes you an hour to record at home will take you at least 2 - 3 hours to record in a professional studio.