Session Attendance.
Because Torchlight Studio is located in a private residence, it is imperative that you discuss the session attendance list with the studio before bringing people to your session. Please do not take it upon yourself to invite people to the studio without studio permission, even if you feel that they are an integral part of the recording process. The only people who should be present during a given session are the artists, the client (Executive Producer), the producer, the songwriter, if appropriate, and of course, the recording engineer.

Be Prepared.
As an artist you should be well rehearsed before entering the studio. Booked studio time is not rehearsal time. For some artists this can be a hard lesson to learn. Be professional and be prepared.

Have a Session Plan.
Prior to beginning a session, the "session plan" should be understood by all involved parties. Those parties include the engineer, the producer, and you, the artist. Modifying this plan during a session can result in poor time management and inefficient use of funding. Everyone involved in the session should understand and support a common goal.

A Word about Cassette Tapes.
If you request a quick cassette tape "dub" of the session, be advised that it is not intended for critical listening. It is to be used as a reference for future project sessions, only. Cassette tapes are no longer considered a "quality format" in the professional audio industry, and as such, they do not provide an accurate representation of what has been recorded, either digitally or in professional analog. Torchlight Studio uses both a 16-track Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and a Pro Tools 48-track DAW. The playback you hear on the studio's flat response monitoring system is a highly accurate representation of what was recorded to hard disk. Your final product will be in CD "red-book" format, never leaving the digital domain once in the DAW. Also bear in mind that a "quick dub" implies that the engineer has not yet taken the time to perform any mixing (fader level adjustments, panning, EQ settings, effects selections and levels, etc.) Furthermore, if you know that you want a tape dub to take with you after the session, please bring your own cassette tape. The studio does not provide blank cassette tapes.

What You Can Expect in a Recording Session.
If the engineer knows ahead of time what the session plan is going to be, he may choose to prepare the studio for the session prior to the artist's arrival. That could include setting up microphones and DI boxes, laying cables, and setting up preamplifiers, effects processors, and the recording console.

·When you arrive you should be made to feel comfortable and welcome. You will have ample time to set up your instruments, warm up your vocal chords and mentally prepare yourself for a good, solid session.

·A typical session consists of recording basic rhythm tracks first to provide a foundation on which to lay the other "overdubbed" tracks. Rhythm tracks are usually instruments such as drums, bass, rhythm guitar, keyboards, etc. If appropriate, sometimes a vocal artist is asked to lay down a "scratch" vocal track. This track is meant to provide guidance to the rest of the band. Later in the recording process a strong lead vocal track is usually recorded with the intention of using it to replace the scratch vocal.

·If the session is to consist of overdubbed tracks, and it generally does, the engineer may ask for each instrument to be recorded separately, or he may select key instruments to be recorded at the same time.

·From time to time, the engineer may ask the artist if he/she would like to come into the control room to hear the playback. This is a good way to take a quick break and listen to what has been recorded so far. Keep in mind that a recording session is not a mix session. The engineer is not likely to waste time and your money creating mixes at this point in the process. Also, mixing often requires a different frame of mind. The point of your recording session is to RECORD.

·At the end of the recording session, the engineer will remove his equipment (microphones, DI boxes, cables, etc.) from the studio BEFORE the artist starts to pack up. There is a very good reason for this, so please be patient.

A Word or Two about Session Payment.

·It is Torchlight Studio policy to receive payment prior to the start of a given session. However, as long as payment is made to the studio immediately following a session, the client/artist shall be considered "in good standing". If the client/artist fails to make payment by the end of a given session, the studio reserves the right to place a hold on the artist's project. No further sessions may be scheduled until such time that payment is made.

·Payment for mix sessions shall be made at the completion of a project. At that time Torchlight Studio will provide the artist/client with the agreed upon product, assuming that the client can make the final payment. If payment is not rendered, the studio will not release the product to the client/artist. That is our policy and it is firm.