New Client Guide
Your first session, step by step.
What to expect from the moment you arrive to when you leave with your files. Once your session is booked you'll receive a confirmation with your engineer's contact info — they'll reach out before your session, but feel free to get in touch with them first if you have questions.
Step 01
Arriving at the studio
When you get to the building, text or call your engineer and they’ll come down to let you in — don’t just walk in and look for someone.
Head to the studio
The entrance isn't always marked — your engineer knows exactly where to meet you.
Text or call your engineer
Their number is in your confirmation email and text. If your session is soon and you haven't heard back, give it a minute — they may be wrapping up with another client.
Get comfortable
Once you're in, take a moment to get comfortable. It's worth talking through what you're hoping to get done — the more the engineer knows going in, the better they can help you use your time.
Your session starts on time
Sessions start and end at their booked times. Arriving on time means getting every minute you booked.
If you’re running late, let your engineer know. The full session balance is due regardless of when you arrive — your engineer is there for the full slot and needs to be paid for their time. If you’re more than half your session time late and haven’t been in touch, the session may be released at our discretion.
Step 02
Getting your music into the session
We don’t offer production, so you’ll need to bring your own instrumental. There are a few ways to get your files into our system:
Email — send your files to the engineer ahead of time and they’ll have everything ready when you arrive.
USB or hard drive — plug in and we’ll pull the files directly.
YouTube, BeatStars, and other beat platforms — we can download files directly in session.
No instrumental yet? Let the engineer know what you’re going for and they can help you find something — just keep in mind we won’t be producing anything from scratch.
Step 03
Recording your vocals
You'll be in the vocal booth, your engineer in the control room. They handle takes, playback, and levels — you focus on performing. If something doesn't sound right or feel right, say so. Fine-tuning everything as you go is just part of the process.
First takes can feel stiff — that’s completely normal and nothing to worry about.
Any genre, any language — original music, covers, spoken word, poetry. As long as it’s a vocal performance, we can record it.
Not happy with a take? Say so and go again. We can keep going as long as there’s time in the session — just keep in mind that recording time and mixing and mastering time all come from the same session clock.
Step 04
Mixing & mastering
Recording, mixing, and mastering can all happen in the same session at the same hourly rate — no separate booking, no upcharge. How you split your time is up to you, and the engineer will help you figure out the engineer will help you make a plan.
Quick
5–30 min. Gets your vocal sitting in the track.
Intensive
30 min–3 hrs. More polish, more detail across the track.
Standard
5 min–1 hr. Prepares your track for streaming.
Step 05
Leaving with your files
Files are exported at the end of the session — make sure you leave time for this or we may not be able to get everything to you before your slot ends. The session balance is due at the end of the session, paid to the engineer.
Email — the engineer can send a download link with your files. Save them promptly as download links expire.
AirDrop — bring an iPhone and the engineer can AirDrop your files directly.
USB or hard drive — bring one and files can be transferred before you leave.
Need stems? Let the engineer know early in the session — stems take time to create and there may not be enough time to make them if it’s a last-minute request.
Your files are accessible at any of our locations.*
Download your files before you leave and back them up — don’t rely on us as your only copy.
*We make every effort to keep your files available across locations, but availability can be affected by factors outside our control.
We recommend always leaving your session with your files.
Step 06
A few things worth knowing
420 allowed in the control rooms at our Manhattan, Bushwick, and Park Slope locations — not in the vocal booths. There is no smoking at our Williamsburg location.
No cigarette smoking inside any of our studios or studio buildings.
Bring people. Most rooms hold 3–6 people depending on the location. Friends and collaborators are always welcome.
The engineer is here to help. First session or fiftieth, if you have a question just ask.