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HOW THE BLOWN AWAY SERVICE WORKS.

I do all my recording and editing in my studio, but always to your requirements. Once you contact me, it goes like this:

1. We have a discussion about what you’re looking for.
2. You send me, in some form, the parts that you want me to record (for more about sending me the parts, see below).
3. I send you an agreement detailing the proposed work, along with a quote based on how long I expect the work to take. (Don’t worry, as long as we stick to the brief we agreed initially, the cost will not exceed the quote!) See below for pricing.
4. Once we’re agreed on the details, a 20% deposit is payable, and I will give you an idea of when I can do the work.
5. You send me your track, in the agreed format (see below for file formats and technical stuff).
6. Once I’ve done the work, and any editing I deem necessary, I’ll send you an MP3 proof. Any further editing or changes required will be done at no extra cost, as long as they’re within the original spec that we agreed.
7. When you’re happy, you pay the full balance. I will then send you the recorded files in the agreed format.

Carry on reading for more information about all aspects of the process.

INSTRUMENTS.

Here is a list of all the instruments I offer.

HORN SECTIONS:

• Trumpet (B-flat)
• Saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor & baritone)
• Valve Trombone (B-flat)

OTHER INSTRUMENTS:

• Keyboards
• Bass Guitar (fretted and fretless)
• Guitar (electric and acoustic)^*
• Flute^*
• Clarinet (B-flat)^*
• Chromatic Harmonica (C)^*

*I can provide these instruments as long as parts are not overly technically demanding. If they are then you would perhaps be better finding someone more specialised in those instruments.

Keyboard parts will be recorded as MIDI rather than audio, however I can bounce keyboard parts to audio tracks and send you those too. I use Synthogy Ivory II Grand Pianos and Alicia’s Keys for piano sounds. Bass guitar and electric guitar parts will be recorded direct or via a Sansamp, and amp modelling and/or other effects can be added later if desired (I can supply a version printed with such effects if required).

SENDING ME YOUR PARTS.

There are various ways you can convey your intended parts to me, and I’m happy with whatever works best for you. If you have all the parts notated precisely then great, otherwise a MIDI realisation, or a scratch part played on another instrument or sung is fine. Alternatively, I can compose a part. Here are some things that it is important to consider:

• Whatever the instrument(s), it is important to let me know what kind of sound/tone you have in mind. This will affect which instruments, mouthpieces, settings and recording techniques I choose, and so may not be easy to undo later. For this purpose, reference tracks are really useful—if you can point me in the direction of a track which has the sound you’re looking for then I know what I’m aiming for. I want to hear what’s in your head, so I can get as close to it as possible.
• Articulation, phrasing and dynamics are very important. Whichever means you use, please be as specific as you can with these.
• If you’re vocalising a horn part (or playing it on a single-line instrument) then do think about whether any parts of it should be harmonised, and in what way. Again, reference tracks may be useful here (it doesn't matter if you don’t know the technical terms).

The information you give me at the initial stage will form the basis of our agreement our agreement, so communication is very important at this stage.

TECHNICAL STUFF.

I record using Logic Pro X. If you use it also, then you’re welcome to send me your project, for me to add my tracks and send back to you. If you’re using a different DAW, or if you’d rather not send me your project, then you can send me a mix of your track and I will record to that, and send you the resulting audio files. The files I send you will be aligned with the start of the track you send me, so realigning everything should be easy.

If we’re both using Logic Pro, then I will insert effects on the tracks I add as I think appropriate, and for horn sections I will likely route the individual tracks to an aux channel for the overall horn mix. These are of course just starting points for you; how you mix it will be entirely up to you. If you’re not using Logic Pro, then I can send you versions of the tracks with and without effects if you wish, and I can also send you a stem containing the whole horn mix if desired.

I can record at a resolution of 16 or 24 bits, and at sample rates of 44.1kHz, 48Khz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz, according to your preference. I can supply tracks/stems in either AIFF or WAV format.

PRICING.

My prices are based on an hourly rate, and I will quote depending on how long I expect each job to take. The price I quote is the price you will pay, even if it takes longer than I expected. If after hearing the proof, there are changes you wish me to make, I will make these at no extra cost provided the work stays within the spec of the original agreement. If you decide that extra work is required, beyond what was originally discussed, then this will incur additional costs, which can be discussed at the time.

Because you’re only paying for one musician (me!), and with no extra studio fees, you get excellent results without breaking the bank.

A typical track might cost between GBP 75 and GBP 150 to record, and a more complex one perhaps GBP 200 or more, and all editing is included in the price. I can also potentially offer more favourable rates for doing multiple tracks in one job.

All work is 100% royalty free—once my fee is paid, you own the finished tracks and there are no further fees due.