FAQs
Our FAQs answer most questions that clients have.
If you can’t find the answer to your question here, or would just rather talk to us directly, contact us here.
General
Where is Smokey Hollow Records located?
We’re tucked away in the quiet little town of Waterdown, Ontario, a stone’s throw away from Hamilton and Burlington. This picturesque town is the perfect creative hideaway built for music and the people who love making it.
What kinds of artists do you work with?
Everyone from seasoned pros to total beginners. Whether you’re a songwriter, a band, a voice actor, or a family recording a song for Grandma, you’re welcome here.
Do I need experience to book a session?
Not at all. We’re here to guide you. No pressure, no expectations, just good vibes and great sound.
Recording Sessions
What’s included in a standard recording session?
We’re tucked away in the quiet little town of Waterdown, Ontario, a stone’s throw away from Hamilton and Burlington. This picturesque town is the perfect creative hideaway built for music and the people who love making it.
How long should I book for my first session?
Everyone from seasoned pros to total beginners. Whether you’re a songwriter, a band, a voice actor, or a family recording a song for Grandma, you’re welcome here.
Can I bring someone with me to my session?
Absolutely. Bring a friend, a family member, or your whole band — just let us know in advance so we can prep the space.
Mixing and Mastering
Can I send you tracks recorded elsewhere?
Yep! We offer mixing and mastering services for tracks recorded at home or in other studios. Just send us clean stems and we’ll take it from there.
How long does mixing and mastering take?
It depends on the size of the project, but we typically turn around mixes within 5–7 business days.
Preparing Your Files
How do I prepare my project file for mixing?
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
Before sending us your DAW project file, please ensure that it is optimized for mixing.
The first recommended step in this process is to make a copy of your project file so you don’t change anything critical in your original recording. This is as simple as selecting “Save a copy” in your DAW’s File menu.
Optimization includes, but is not limited to, bouncing out virtual instruments, labelling tracks and removing plugins.
BEFORE YOU REMOVE PLUGINS: It is highly recommended that you include a reference stereo bounce of the track before removing any plugins. That way, we are able to get an idea of your vision before we start the mix.
Why do I need to remove my plugins? While we do have a comprehensive collection of mainstream plugins, there is no guarantee that we will have the same plugins as you. Therefore, we request all plugins be removed from the copied project file to ensure a successful and functional delivery of your project to our studio. Virtual instruments should be bounced in place with inserts disabled. Do not print stems with plugins enabled, as that severely limits what we can do in the mix.
The only time it is acceptable to bounce a track in place with a plugin enabled is if that plugin is responsible for creating the specific sound you want for that track, e.g., if you are using an instance of Native Instrument’s “Guitar Rig Pro” that is giving you the exact guitar sound you want.
If you are unsure how to prepare your project for mixing, please watch this incredibly useful 10 minute Youtube video that walks you through the industry-standard process for Logic Pro:
CLICK TO WATCH: How To Share Logic Pro Projects (The Pro Method)
Once your project is optimized, please compress it into a zip folder and upload to your cloud server of choice (we recommend Google Drive, WeTransfer or Dropbox). Once this is done, please copy and paste the share link in the booking form so that we can download your zip file and start our review process.
Please ensure that the share settings on your cloud upload are not restricted so that we can download your files without issue.
If you send your project file to us and it is not sufficiently optimized, we will reach out and request you resend. If you need help optimizing your project file, please let us know during your 30 minute discovery call.
How do I prepare my track for mastering?
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
Before sending us your mixed stereo bounce, please ensure that you are completely happy with your mix. Mastering is the process of enhancing and finalizing your track for distribution. It is not the stage for making mix adjustments. Once we begin mastering, we assume your mix is final and ready for polishing, loudness optimization, and format preparation.
Please only send a mixed stereo bounce. If you want to send us your entire DAW project file, please book a mixing session also.
For best results, we recommend mixing your tracks at Smokey Hollow as well. Keeping everything under one roof ensures consistency and gives us full control over the final sound, resulting in the most optimal master possible.
It’s essential that you provide your mixed stereo bounce in WAV format. As an uncompressed file type, WAV gives us the truest representation of your music, allowing us to create the best possible master. We do not accept MP3 files for mastering.
Once your WAV file is ready, please upload it to the cloud storage service of your choice (we recommend Google Drive, WeTransfer or Dropbox). WAV files are significantly larger than MP3s, so cloud transfer is the most reliable way to deliver your music.
After uploading, copy and paste the share link into the booking form so we can download your music and begin our review process.
Please double-check that your file’s share settings are unrestricted so that we can access and download your track without issue.
If you need help preparing your mixed stereo bounce, please let us know during your 30 minute discovery call.
How do I prepare my vocal stems for the vocal tune up service?
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
We only accept vocals stems in WAV format. Please bounce your vocal take(s) pre-processed, i.e., disable any plugins, ensure normalization is off etc. This ensures that your bounced stems are the raw, unedited vocal take, which is what we need to work with to get you the best results.
Once your stems are ready, please compress it into a zip folder and upload to your cloud server of choice (we recommend Google Drive, WeTransfer or Dropbox). Once this is done, please copy and paste the share link in the booking form so that we can download your zip file and start our review process.
Please ensure that the share settings on your cloud upload are not restricted so that we can download your files without issue.
How do I prepare my profile file for audio restoration?
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
We recommend sending your audio in WAV format to preserve its integrity. Working with WAV will allow our engineers to restore your audio to the highest quality possible.
If your audio is in WAV format, please upload to your cloud server of choice (we recommend Google Drive, WeTransfer or Dropbox). Once this is done, please copy and paste the share link in the booking form so that we can download your file and start our review process.
Please ensure that the share settings on your cloud upload are not restricted so that we can download your files without issue.
How do I prepare my profile file for arranging?
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
If your project is MIDI-based (such as orchestral, synth-based, or electronic compositions), please send us your MIDI files and project tempo, along with a reference mix. If possible, also provide your DAW project file (Logic Pro preferred) to allow for deeper arrangement work.
For live-instrument recordings, please send individual WAV stems along with a rough mix for reference.
To send your project for arrangement, please compress the files into a zip folder and upload to your cloud server of choice (we recommend Google Drive, WeTransfer or Dropbox). Once this is done, please copy and paste the share link in the box below so that we can download your zip file and start our review process.
Please ensure that the share settings on your cloud upload are not restricted so that we can download your files without issue.
What are the file submission guidelines for sheet music creation?
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
For best results, please send us bounced stems of your track within a DAW project file (we do not require your plugins or processing). This allows us to accurately isolate each instrument for notation.
Alternatively, you may provide a stereo bounce of your complete track. Please note that notating from a single stereo file may take longer and could result in minor inaccuracies, as we won’t be able to fully isolate certain parts.
We will review your files and confirm any additional requirements before beginning your project.
When submitting your project, please compress your DAW session into a ZIP folder and upload it to your preferred cloud storage service (we recommend Google Drive, WeTransfer or Dropbox). Once uploaded, copy and paste the share link in the booking form so we can download your files and begin the review process.
Please ensure that your cloud sharing settings allow us to access and download your files without restrictions.
Vinyl and Extras
Do you offer vinyl pressing?
Yes! We partner with trusted manufacturers to press 7″, 10″ and 12” vinyl of your finished tracks. We’ll walk you through every step, from mastering to jacket design.
Do you offer music videos or photoshoots?
We do. Whether you need a performance clip, a behind-the-scenes video, or crisp promo shots, we’ve got you covered.
Booking and Pricing
How do I book a session?
Use our online booking form or shoot us a message. We’ll help you find a time and package that fits your needs.
How much does it cost?
Our base rate is $75/hour, with discounts available through our package deals. You’ll never be surprised by hidden fees.
Do you require a deposit?
It’s up to you! If you would prefer to pay half the session fees at the time of booking, you can simply enter the code DEPOSIT into the “do you have a code” field. This will reduce the total amount by 50%. The remaining 50% will be collected on the day of your session.
You can leave this field blank if you would rather just pay full fees at the time of booking.
What's your refund policy?
If you need to cancel your session, we require at least 48 hours’ notice in order to refund your deposit. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice are not eligible for a refund.
Need to reschedule? No problem! Just give us at least 48 hours’ notice and we’ll happily move your session to a new date.
Other Questions
I have a weird idea. Can we make it happen?
Probably! We love unusual projects. Reach out and let’s talk about it.
Can you help me get my song on Spotify?
100%. We can handle distribution setup, metadata, and even help you with release planning.