What services can I provide?

At jerfo.com studios I can provide you high quality recording and mixing services.  I use ProTools version 6.4 running on Windows XP and also use Mackie's Tracktion.  As a recording engineer, I have numerous techniques and equipment at my disposal, a good head on my shoulders, and a great set of ears.  As a mix engineer, I have a significant amount of tools and experience at my disposal, along with the aformentioned head and ears.  Will the results rival those of the most expensive studios?  Probably not.  Recording your vocal on a Studio Projects C3 mic going through a Symetrix 302 pre-amp will most likely not sound as stellar as recording it on a Telefunken U47 going through a vintage Neve pre-amp.  However, the result will sound very good for a fraction of the cost.  You may be surprised at how good your well-tuned snare sounds with a well-positioned Shure 545SD mic on the top head and a large condensor microphone appropriately positioned on the bottom head.  You will be pleased at the sound that I get from your amp using a combination on a Sennheiser E609 Silver mic directly on your amp's speaker and my homemade omni-directional microphone several feet off the speaker...that is, assuming that the E609 sounds better than a SM57 on your amp, or a Studio Projects B1, or...

You get the idea.  This is not a world-class studio, but it will get you 90% of the way there for a very reasonable cost.  You'll also be working with someone who has an intimate knowledge of the recording process and who knows his tools well.  I'm also a jolly nice fellow...honest!

I am an accomplished guitarist and multi-instrumentalist.  If you need me to add some instrumentation to your works, I can provide that service.  In fact, I encourage it.  I can even add background vocals to your project if you so desire.

I try to separate the roles of "engineer" and "producer."  If you would like me to provide "production" services to your recordings, it's something that we should arrange ahead of time.  I'm happy to make suggestions for arrangements and flesh things out from a producers point of view. 


What services don't I provide?

I do not have the equipment nor the experience to provide mastering services on your recordings.  This is something that should be done by a true mastering engineer.  I won't slam your recordings through a limiter, add 20db of high-shelf EQ at 12 kHz, and claim that they are magically "mastered."  I also won't pre-master your mixes so that the levels are all peaked at 0 dB.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, listen to the Audioslave album or Rush's "Vapor Trails" album and see how quickly your ears get tired of the relentless audio onslaught.

My studio space is reasonably sized, but does not have a lot of isolation.  It may not be the best space for large or loud bands, unless you don't mind overdubbing your parts individually.  The space is better suited to electronic projects, folk/jazz/classical musicians, and softer rock bands.  That said, I'm willing to discuss things with any band that wishes to record in my space; we may be able to work things out in a mututally agreeable fashion.

I can't perform miracles on lousy material.  Even in the best studios in the world, garbage in = garbage out.  For an example of this, listen to Ashley Simpson's album. 

Speaking of Ashley Simpson, I will not use any auto-tuning plugins on your vocals.  I can correct the occasional stray note, but I won't and can't auto-tune a consistently off-key performance.  If I could, I would be recording more of my own vocal tracks.


What are your hours?

The studio is located at my private residence, and I work a day job.  Therefore, studio time will generally only be available on weekends and weekday evenings (quieter sessions, please) by arrangement only.


That last question really didn't have anything to do with "services."  What gives?

That's it...this question and answer session is OVER.