Frequently Asked Questions
* Can I really try your mixing and/or mastering service for free?
* How do I make a payment, and what payment types do you accept?
* When do I need to pay for my order?
* How long will it take to get my completed mixing and/or mastering order?
* How long will it take for me to receive my duplication order?
* Do you do all of your services in-house?
* What session musician services can you provide?
* I hear that Suppressed Studios is one of the "greenest" audio production facilities in metro Atlanta; what makes it so eco-friendly?
* What sort of equipment do you use?
* How do I get my music to you?
* You mixed and/or mastered material for me, and now I want to get a duplication order from you as well; can I still get a mixing/mastering/duplication package deal from you?
* What if I have a problem with a duplication order after I receive it?
* What if I have a problem with the final mix or master?
* What are the RUSH charges, and how fast can you complete RUSH orders?
* Do you sell gift certificates for your services?
* Is there a number I can call for customer service?
* Can I really try your mixing and/or mastering service for free?
Absolutely! Other mixing and mastering facilities will often provide you a sample of a mixed or mastered finished product that they have done for a client...but you have no frame of reference in which to judge that studio's performance based on that sample. Other clients may have provided source material of much better--or much worse--quality than yours...not to mention the fact that no two clients usually want the same end result with their mixing or mastering, so what their previous client may have wanted their finished product to sound like may be vastly different from what you would want yours to sound like.
I intend to operate differently here at Suppressed Studios: this is a small, independent facility...and I cater to small, independent artists. I know you want to be comfortable with a new mix or mastering engineer before you commit to a financial obligation, so I'm happy to provide a partial sample (usually a section from the middle of the song) of a mix or master of one of your songs, free of charge and with no obligation. All you have to do is get the source material to me (click here to upload your files now), let me know what you want from the mix or master--this is important!! let me know as much detail as you can about specifics or generalities that you want to accomplish with the project, and I can do a better job of meeting your expectations--and I'll get back to you with a sample as soon as I can.
The sole reason for providing the free sample is for new clients to get acquianted with my style and abilities so that they feel comfortable and confident ordering services from Suppressed Studios; to that end, only one free mix sample and one free master sample will be provided to any client or artist (in some cases only one sample--a mixed and mastered sample of a client's material--will be provided). New clients or artists that are affiliated with clients or artists that have already received a free sample of my services are not eligible to also receive a free sample of that service; no services other than mixing and mastering are eligible for any free samples at any time. I reserve the right to modify, change, update, or otherwise discontinue the "free sample" program at any time, with or without notice.
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* How do I make a payment, and what payment types do you accept?
Once you've decided to move forward with a project, I will arrange for the full payment of the service(s) for your project. The preferred payment method for all transactions is PayPal; please contact Suppressed Studios if you cannot or will not use PayPal, and I will see if we can figure out a solution...but there is a really good chance there won't be any other option, or that additional fees could be added with other payment options, so please reconsider your position on PayPal if that is the case.
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* When do I need to pay for my order?
You can pay at anytime after you place your order, and you would place your order once you approve the sample I provide and direct me to proceed with any revisions to the work. Orders not paid five (5) days after they are placed are subject to deletion of any data files from my equipment, unless prior arrangements have been made. Processing of your order will not begin until all data is transfered and complete payment is received, so the turnaround time is dependent on timely payment of the order. Info regarding how to get the payment to me will be provided once the amount has been finalized and agreed to, and when the payment method has been determined.
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* How long will it take to get my completed mixing and/or mastering order?
There are lots of variables that will affect the completion time of your mixing or mastering order, including the complexity of the material (how many individual tracks, how many edits, how much shaping, etc.), the work load at the studio at the time, how many revisions need to be done (and how involved they are), and other factors. I will certainly get everything addressed in as timely a fashion as possible, while still providing top-notch performance and service...but if you are working on a specific deadline, please let me know as much detail about that as soon as you are able, so that I can accommodate you and help you meet your goal (please note that RUSH charges may apply to orders with deadlines).
Under normal circumstances, though, you can expect to have a sample of my work within 2-8 days (mastering will generally be on the lower end of the scale, while mixing will be on the higher end), and then to have your order completed within 10-28 days (for most full albums; completion time for your project may vary) after I receive payment in full and all data for the project. Single songs are generally ready shortly after the sample is approved. I'll provide my best estimate of the completion date as soon as I have that info. For mixing-only projects, it is best to plan for the maximum completion estimates; for mastering-only projects, the shorter estimates are usually more accurate. For mixing/mastering combo packages, add the minimum and maximum estimates to come up with a reasonable idea of how long your project may take to complete.
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* How long will it take for me to receive my duplication order?
I can usually be ready to ship CD and Digital Download Card orders within 2-3 weeks of receiving complete payment and complete, verified files for the project. Sometimes it may take a little longer, and since I operate on such a small scale--to bring you such personalized service--I generally can't guarantee duplication turnaround times. Vinyl and cassette orders may take 3-5 weeks before they ship (depending on how quickly the test pressings are approved), starting when complete payment and data files are received. Duplication packages consisting of more than one format will usually be shipped to the client separately, as each format arrives at the studio.
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* Do you do all of your services in-house?
I do tracking, mixing, mastering, and design in-house; duplication in all formats is provided at discount rates from some of the finest independent manufacturers available. Everything goes through quality control once it is received at this facility before it goes out to the client; this keeps me from being the absolute fastest around, but it helps me to deliver certainly the best end result you can find for the price.
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* What session musician services can you provide?
I can provide most guitar, bass, drums, percussion, and vocal accompaniment as needed. All session musician services are priced per project (generally about $50/hour), so please contact me with your details for more info.
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* I hear that Suppressed Studios is one of the "greenest" audio production facilities in metro Atlanta; what makes it so eco-friendly?
The studio is based in a facility that has energy-efficient windows, high-efficiency radiant barrier insulation, and a complete rainwater collection system; I also recycle about 95% of the total used materials (including glass, paper, cardboard, plastic, organic material, etc.) at this facility on a weekly basis. The facility is located within a Certified Wildlife Habitat, registered with the National Wildlife Federation, host to a wide variety of native plants and animals, and featuring an organic garden which is watered exclusively with collected rainwater and other "salvaged" water. I'm constantly looking for ways to minimize the studio's carbon footprint and its overall impact on the world.
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* What sort of equipment do you use?
I have Pro Tools, Cubase 4, and PreMaster CD 3.3 running on a substantial Mac Pro, with plenty of plug-ins, outboard gear, and equipment from UAD/Universal Audio, M-Audio, Yamaha, Pultec, BBE, Manley, Teletronix, EMT, Ampeg, Empirical Labs, Focusrite, Waves, Behringer, Lexicon, Shure, Sonalksis, Aphex, Sterling Audio, IK Multimedia, Oktava, AKG, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, Samson, and lots of other goodies...plus a great set of ears.
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* How do I get my music to you?
You can send files via services like TransferBigFiles.com, or DropSend.com or YouSendIt.com; or via email; or you can use any other file transfer service that you are comfortable with (as long as it does not require me to download or install any software on my end in order to receive the files). Or you can upload files here:
Once you place a complete order, I can provide FTP access for your convenience. I can provide samples and finished product to you in the same ways, or via regular mail (but you will incur shipping charges whenever I mail discs to you).
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* You mixed and/or mastered material for me, and now I want to get a duplication order from you as well; can I still get a mixing/mastering/duplication package deal from you?
You have thirty (30) days from the time I receive all data and the complete payment for an order to upgrade to a duplication package at the package discount. If you want to upgrade, downgrade or otherwise change or adjust any duplication package, you are welcome to do so until I send it off to the duplicators; at that point in time, the order becomes finalized, and any changes (or additional quantities) would have to be in the form of an new order. No cancellations can be made on any duplication order once I send the order off to the duplicator.
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* What if I have a problem with a duplication order after I receive it?
Any manufacturing defects in any format will be replaced in as timely a fashion as possible, providing that the duplicators will indeed replace them. If they cannot or will not, then I will most definitely refund the prorated amount equal to the defective disc(s) or tape(s), or issue a credit for that same amount, or otherwise and in one way or another take care of you, the valued client. Please report any visual defects (i.e., damaged cases, printing defects, etc.) to me within five (5) days of receiving your order; audio defects discovered by customers of yours will be replaced or refunded immediately upon receipt by Suppressed Studios of the audio defective disc, within one (1) year from the date the duplication order originally shipped out. Shipping costs are not refundable, and are the responsibility of the client (including shipping costs to return any items to Suppressed Studios).
Resolution of any problems with shipping will be the responsibility of the shipping agent (i.e., UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc.), although I will of course offer as much assistance as possible to resolve any such issues. I recommend opting for shipping insurance on every shipment; when that will result in an additional cost, I will always give you that option and recommendation. Damages to uninsured shipments are solely the responsibility of the client, so I consider shipping insurance to be a wise investment.
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* What if I have a problem with the final mix or master?
Please listen closely to the free sample I provide to you; the idea is to figure out if my work is something you feel that you can be satisfied with...and if you then commission the project and direct me to proceed with the work, it is with the assumption that you have decided that the quality of my mixing and/or mastering services is acceptable to you. That being said, however, I of course want you to be completely and totally satisfied with any and every service I provide. Most packages come with a specific number of revisions to the mixing and/or mastering service included in the price, and more revisions can be purchased if needed. I want you to be absolutely thrilled with what I do for you and your music, so I'll do what I can to ensure that.
Here is the way revisions work: I send you the sample of my mixed and/or mastered material, and you decide if my style, based on any instructions you gave me prior to me performing the work, is acceptable to you. If so, you pay for whatever service package suits your project, and you can let me know if there is anything you want me to do to change the sound of the material as presented in the sample. This is your first revision, if you are buying a package that includes revisions; additional revisions can be purchased, usually at a small percentage of the original package price.
Revisions can include multiple adjustments; if after hearing the sample, for instance, you want me to reduce the snare volume, add a little more high end to the background vocal, pan the guitar a little more left, and also decrease the reverb on the main vocal during the chorus...I could make all those adjustments at once and in only one revision, if the requested revisions are all presented at the same time. However, if you hear the sample and then tell me you just want the snare volume reduced and no other changes, then once I do that it is considered the first revision. If you later decide you also want to adjust anything else, then that would have to be with another revision.
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* What are the RUSH charges, and how fast can you complete RUSH orders?
The prices and speed of turnaround vary with every project, and the RUSH charges will also vary as well. RUSH charges will generally only be applied to aspects that I control, i.e. things that I do myself, like mixing, mastering, and layout/design. Generally, it depends on how involved the material is (i.e., how many tracks, how many songs, total playing time, how many varying parts in the song, how complicated the edits, etc.), how familiar I am with your sound (for instance, if I have previously worked with you and you have a similar circumstance again), and what the current work load happens to be at the time. Of course, I will provide the best service and performance that I can, and as quickly as I possibly can.
I also offer expedited shipping of discs, whether they're master discs, sample discs, or duplicated discs. Charges for expedited shipping are based on the package size and weight, the desired speed of delivery, and the delivery location; please contact me for details if you need discs to be shipped express.
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* Do you sell gift certificates for your services?
Yes I do! I offer gift certificates (for mixing and/or mastering services ONLY; sorry, gift certificates DO NOT APPLY to design, duplication, or any other service besides mixing and mastering!) in amounts that are multiples of $50, or in any amount over $250. Please be aware that gift certificates are only valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance, and CANNOT be used towards duplication or towards any service or package that includes duplication services...no exceptions!! No refunds on gift certificates for any reason.
Just send me a message using the Contact form and let me know the amount you want the gift certificate to be for; I'll send you payment instructions, and once the payment has been completed I will email the gift certificate info right to you, or to the recipient if you prefer.
Know someone that's recording (or has just finished recording) some songs, or a whole album? A gift certificate from Suppressed Studios would make a great gift for the musician or recording artist in your life!
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* Is there a number I can call for customer service?
To keep costs at a minimum, I try to maintain almost all customer service via email; unsolicited phone calls are NOT accepted by Suppressed Studios. However, if I cannot resolve something via email then I can certainly communicate via phone. This is a small organization (VERY small...that's how I can provide such great service and performance!), but I can promise that I will respond as quickly as possible to any and all questions, complaints, requests, etc. Anytime you have a question or concern, or need to contact me for any reason, please simply fill out the Contact form, including your name, email address, and phone number, and I will contact you back as soon as I can (usually within a few hours) via the most efficient medium available.
I have also established a voicemail line at (770) 666-7321; feel free to call and leave a message there, but please leave an email address in your message so I can reply. I may not be able to respond to messages leaving only a phone number as contact info. All calls will be returned via email as quickly as possible, usually within 12-24 hours.
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Didn't find the answer to your question?
Send me a message at the Contact page.
