Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What audio services does Big River Media provide?
A: We offer a wide range of audio services, including recording, editing, mixing, and mastering. We specialize in music recording and production, voiceover recording, podcasting, and ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) services. Additionally we offer live sound production for small to medium sized events (see below). Our team uses state-of-the-art equipment and software to ensure the highest quality results for our clients.
Q: What video services does Big River Media provide?
A: We specialize in providing video services for musicians, including music video production, live performance recording, concert filming, and post-production editing. We work with talented videographers and editors to ensure high-quality results. Our large live room and sound stage are ideal for recording music performances and videos.
Q: What live sound production services does Big River Media provide?
A: We offer professional live sound production services for small to medium-sized events and venues, as well as front of house mixing for venues of any sized with pre-installed sound systems. We have extensive experience providing clear, high-quality sound for live performances, and we use only the best equipment to ensure that every note is heard. Whether you are hosting a concert, festival, or other live event, we can provide the perfect solution to ensure that your audience hears every detail of the performance.
In addition to providing live sound production, we also offer live recording services for events of all sizes. With up to 32 channels of recording available, we can capture every detail of the performance to produce a high-quality recording that can be used for future promotion or distribution. Our team has provided live sound production services for a range of events, including the City Center Live series, Festivall and Salt Fest in the Charleston, WV area since 2022. We are committed to providing exceptional service and helping you create a memorable and successful event.
Q: What are your rates?
A: Our rates vary depending on the specific needs and requirements of each project. We work on a project-by-project basis and need more information about your project to provide you with an accurate price quote. Please let us know the type of service you require, the length of the project, and any other specific details, and we will provide you with a customized quote that fits your budget. General hourly rates can be found here.
Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: We accept PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, cash, and cashier’s checks as forms of payment for our services. However, please note that we do not accept personal checks.
To book a recording session with us, we require a 25% nonrefundable deposit at the time of booking. This deposit is necessary to reserve your session and ensure that we can provide you with the highest level of service and attention to detail. The remaining balance can be paid using any of the accepted payment methods. See below for our cancellation and rescheduling policy.
Q: Do you have a cancellation policy?
A: Our cancellation policy requires a 25% nonrefundable deposit to be paid at the time of booking to secure your recording session. This deposit, which applies to your final balance owed, is necessary to ensure that we can hold the studio space and equipment for your specific time slot. We understand that unexpected circumstances can arise, and we will do our best to work with you to reschedule your session if needed. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule your session so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
Q: What recording & production equipment do you use?
A: We use top-of-the-line gear to ensure the best possible results for our clients. We have a wide range of microphones, including industry-standard models from Neumann, Townsend Labs, Shure, AKG, Sennheiser, AEA, Mojave and more. Our outboard gear includes eight legendary Neve 1073 microphone preamps, Universal Audio interfaces, SSL analog EQ, a state-of-the-art WesAudio hybrid tube compressor and other high-quality equipment. Click here for a full list of our gear and software.
Q: Can my band track live together in the same room?
A: Absolutely! We understand the importance of capturing the energy and dynamics of a live performance, and we have designed our space to accommodate this style of recording. Our expanisve 62′ x 20′ x 16′ live room is equipped with gobos and other isolation techniques to minimize microphone bleed while still allowing musicians to feed off each other’s energy and vibe. This creates a more natural and authentic sound that is often lost when recording individual tracks separately.
Our experienced engineers will work with you to find the best configuration for your band and instruments to ensure the best possible sound. Our Hear Technologies Hear Back headphone monitoring system provides musicians with 6 individual 8-channel mixers to customize what they hear in their headphones or monitor speakers. Whether you prefer to track live or record individual tracks, we have the expertise and equipment to help you achieve your desired sound.
Q: Can I bring my own instruments or do you have instruments available?
A: You are always welcome to bring your own instruments, or use our vast collection of drums, bass, guitar and other equipment for an additional fee. We do ask that you bring your own drumsticks for your session.
Q: Where are you located?
A: We are located at 411 27th Street, Dunbar, WV 25064 and open by appointment only. We suggest NOT using Apple Maps as your nagivation app to find us, as we’ve had issues with correctly locating us. Waze and Google Maps are recommended.
Q: Can I bring my own engineer or producer to work with me?
A: Yes, you are welcome to bring your own engineer or producer to work with you at our recording studio. We understand the importance of having a trusted collaborator by your side to help you achieve your creative vision. Our experienced team is here to help, and we are happy to provide a walkthrough of our recording system so that your engineer can become familiar with our equipment and workflow. Additionally, we can offer assistant engineering services for a fee to help facilitate a smooth and efficient recording process. Our goal is to ensure that you have the support you need to create the best possible recording, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Q: Can you help me with the production and arrangement of my music?
A: Our team of experienced producers and engineers have a wide range of skills and expertise to bring your vision to life. Additionally, our staff includes musicians who are proficient in playing a variety of instruments, including guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. This allows us to offer valuable input and suggestions for the arrangement and instrumentation of your music. We can work with you to develop a creative vision for your project and provide guidance on how to achieve the desired sound and feel. Whether you have a specific idea in mind or are looking for guidance in the creative process, we are here to help.
Q: How large of a band or ensemble are you capable of recording?
A: We have the capacity to record a wide range of bands and ensembles, from solo artists to large groups. In-studio, we can accommodate up to 64 channels of simultaneous audio recording with our Universal Audio Apollo system. This allows us to capture every detail of your performance, no matter how complex or layered it may be. Whether you are recording a full band or a small ensemble, we have the equipment and expertise to deliver exceptional sound quality.
For on-location live recordings, we utilize our Presonus Studiolive 32R digital mixer, which provides up to 32 channels of simultaneous recording. This system allows us to capture live performances with exceptional clarity and precision, whether you are playing in a small club or a large venue. Additionally, we have utilized our 32 channel splitter snake to capture performances at larger venues such as the Clay Center and Live on the Levee, while allowing the front of house and monitor mixing engineers to still have their own independent signals to provide sound for audience and stage. Our experienced engineers will work with you to determine the best setup and configuration for your specific needs, ensuring that your performance is captured accurately and professionally.
Q: What is the process of producing a song, from beginning to end?
A: We take a comprehensive approach to producing a song that includes recording, producing, mixing, and mastering. Our process typically begins with a consultation to discuss your vision for the song and determine the best approach to achieve your desired sound. From there, we work with you to record each instrument and vocal track using top-of-the-line equipment and our expert engineering skills to capture the best possible sound.
Once all the tracks have been recorded, we move on to the production phase, where we work with you to add any additional production elements such as overdubs, effects, or background vocals. Our team of experienced producers and musicians can provide guidance and creative input to help take your song to the next level.
Next, we move on to mixing, where we balance and blend all the individual tracks to create a cohesive and professional sound. Our team of mixing engineers has years of experience in creating dynamic and engaging mixes that bring out the best in your music.
Finally, we move on to mastering, where we apply the final touches to your song to ensure that it sounds polished and professional across all listening platforms. Our mastering engineers use the latest technology and techniques to optimize the sound of your song for streaming, CD, vinyl, or any other format you require.
Overall, our process is designed to provide you with a top-quality recording that captures the essence of your music and brings your vision to life. Whether you’re a solo artist or a full band, we have the expertise and resources to help you create a professional-quality song that you can be proud of.
Q: What are some samples and references of your work?
A: We take great pride in the quality of our recordings and want you to feel confident in choosing our studio for your project. We’ve worked with artists from various genres and backgrounds. You can find examples at these links:
Spotify playlist: Big River Media – Recordings & Productions
YouTube playlist: Big River Media – Selected Works
Q: What is your mixing process?
A: Our audio mixing services involve taking individual audio tracks and blending them together to create a final mix that is balanced, clear, and polished. We use a combination of analog and digital processing to ensure that your audio content is of the highest quality.
Our experienced audio engineers utilize various tools to bring out the best in your recordings. In addition to our analog EQs, compressors, and stereo enhancers, we use industry-standard plug-ins from Universal Audio, Plugin Alliance, Softube, and more, which provide additional flexibility and precision in our audio processing. We also have a hands-on mixing system, the Softube Console 1 Fader, which allows us to have tactile control over our software mixing environment, improving the speed and accuracy of our mixing.