Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our FAQ guide. We've organized these questions to help you understand every aspect of working with Free River Studios. If you don't find the answer you're looking for, please contact us – your question might help other artists too.

Getting Started

"How do I know which session type is right for my project?"

Recording a full band is different from tracking a solo acoustic guitar, which is why we offer different session types to match your needs. Weekend sessions provide the extended time needed for a band to set up, get comfortable, and capture the energy of playing together. These eight-hour blocks give you breathing room to try different approaches and capture your best performance without feeling rushed.

Evening sessions work beautifully for smaller projects or when you're adding to existing recordings. For instance, if you've tracked your band during a weekend session, an evening session gives you focused time for lead vocals or guitar solos. These four-hour blocks provide enough time to get great results while fitting into busy schedules.

For simpler needs like a quick vocal overdub or single acoustic guitar track, our hourly rate might be your best choice. We recommend discussing your specific project goals with us so we can help you choose the most efficient approach.

"How many songs can we record in a session?"

Most bands complete two to three songs in an eight-hour session, though this varies with preparation and song complexity. Solo artists might complete more. The key is to focus on quality rather than quantity – we'd rather help you create two great recordings than rush through four. During our initial discussion, we can help you plan a realistic schedule based on your songs and recording approach.

"How should we prepare for our session?"

Practice your songs until they feel natural. The better you know your parts, the more time we can spend capturing great performances rather than working out arrangements. We find that well-rehearsed bands often record their best takes early in the session, while they're still fresh. Make a list of any specific sounds or effects you'd like to try, and bring reference tracks if you have particular sounds in mind.

Session Details

"What's included in the session fee?"

Every session includes the option to record, mix or master, though we recommend separating the recording and mixing process. There are no hidden costs. Your session fee covers everything needed to take your music from performance to finished product ready for release. We structure our pricing this way because we believe in transparency and want you to focus on creating rather than worrying about mounting costs.

"What happens if we don't finish everything in our booked session?"

While we help you plan your session to accomplish your goals, music creation sometimes takes unexpected turns. You might discover a new part that enhances the song, or decide to try a different approach that needs more time. If this happens, you have several options. If our schedule permits, you can extend your current session at our standard rates. Alternatively, we can book a follow-up session to complete your project. We'll always work with you to find the most efficient way to achieve your vision.

"Do we need to bring our own instruments?"

We maintain a house drum kit and various amplifiers to make recording convenient. However, we encourage musicians to bring their personal instruments when possible, as familiarity with your instrument often leads to better performances. Contact us about specific needs – we're happy to discuss what we have available and what you might want to bring.

"How will my music be provided when I leave the session?"

Our engineers will provide you with a soft mix or "walkout" version of your song in both .mp3 and .wav formats. We can also transfer the session to you. Please bring a hard drive with at least 50GB of free space so files can be transferred.

Please note: We are not responsible for backing up your session data. It is your responsibility to back up your files. If you need us to send session files after the session has ended, a $50 recall fee will apply. Files will be deleted 7 days following your session.

The Recording Process

"What's the typical timeline from recording to finished master?"

A typical project moves through several stages. First, we focus entirely on capturing great performances during your recording session. After recording, we'll schedule time for mixing, which usually takes about a week. This gives us time to craft a mix that serves your songs, and gives you time to live with the mixes and provide thoughtful feedback. Once the mixes are approved, we'll move to mastering, which typically takes another few days. From your recording session to finished masters, most projects take about two to three weeks, though this can vary depending on the number of songs and amount of production needed.

"Can we mix and master on the same day as recording?"

While we understand the excitement to hear your finished songs, we've found that separating recording, mixing, and mastering leads to better results. Recording days are best spent focusing entirely on capturing great performances. Mixing requires fresh ears and careful attention to detail, and mastering needs its own separate focus to ensure your music translates well across all listening systems. This approach gives each stage of production the time and attention it deserves.

"What exactly is a mix revision?"

A mix revision is your opportunity to shape how your song sounds after the initial recording. When you receive our first mix, you might decide the vocals need to be more prominent, the guitar reverb should be reduced, or the drums could punch through more clearly. We include two rounds of these revisions with every project, meaning you'll have three opportunities to perfect your mix: the initial mix plus two revision rounds.

Think of mix revisions like adjusting the seasoning in a dish - sometimes you need a little more or less of certain elements to achieve the perfect balance. We encourage specific feedback like "the bass could be louder in the chorus" or "add more delay to the lead guitar in the bridge." This helps us dial in exactly what you're looking for.

"How long do we have to request mix revisions?"

We encourage you to spend time with each mix version, listening on different systems (car stereo, headphones, speakers) and making detailed notes. This thorough approach helps you provide comprehensive feedback rather than reacting to first impressions. However, to maintain project momentum and keep our focus sharp on your sound, we ask for revision requests within two weeks of receiving each mix version.

Payment and Policies

"Do you offer payment plans?"

Yes, for projects over $600, we can split the total cost into three monthly payments. The first payment serves as your deposit to secure your booking. There's no additional fee for this service, but we do require setting up automatic payments for the remaining installments. This helps make larger projects more manageable while ensuring we can maintain our commitment to your recording timeline.

"Can we book multiple sessions at a discount?"

Planning ahead for larger projects like EPs or albums can indeed lead to savings. When you book multiple sessions at once, you not only secure your preferred time slots but may also qualify for a discount depending on the total scope of the project. We recommend discussing your complete project timeline with us so we can help you plan the most cost-effective approach while ensuring you have adequate time for each phase of production.

Additional Services

"What's the advantage of getting the raw tracks?"

Raw tracks are like having the original ingredients of your recording. Having the raw tracks gives you creative flexibility for the future. You might want to:

Create a remix version of your song
Collaborate with other artists
Produce alternate versions for different uses
Have options for future remastering

We can provide these tracks as high-quality WAV files, carefully labeled and organized for easy use in any recording software.

"Do you provide session musicians, and how does that work?"

Yes, we can connect you with professional session musicians who can enhance your project. Starting at $100 per song, these experienced players can work from your demo recordings or collaborate with you directly in the studio. The exact rate varies based on the instrument and complexity of the parts.

When you request a session musician, we'll:

Discuss the specific parts you need
Match you with the right player for your style
Share your demo or song ideas with them
Schedule the recording time
Ensure they understand your vision for the song

This service has helped many projects achieve a fuller, more professional sound while staying within budget.

Label Questions

"I'm interested in label opportunities. How does that work?"

While Free River Studios operates independently as a recording studio, we maintain a close relationship with Tone Farmers, a local record label dedicated to developing Montana artists. If you're interested in label opportunities, we're happy to make an introduction. You can learn more at the Tone Farmers website or ask us about making a connection.

Have a question that isn't answered here? Please contact us – we're happy to help, and your question might help other artists too!