Location Classical Recording Services

Our philosophy
"What You Hear is What You Get"

Our service is not for everyone
If you think that the recording you made with a DAT or MiniDisc Walkman is great, or MP3 files sound good, please give yourself a test. Compare it with commercially released CDs. If you hear only a slight difference or no difference at all, you should buy a low-priced MD/Mic combo. You will probably be very happy with the recording quality. You wouldn’t need any professional recording service except for editing and mastering. For those of you who hear a substantial difference, please read on.

Location Classical Recording?
When you hear the word "recording", do you think about going to a recording studio? If you have a rock group, or if you are recording tracks for a movie, you probably should go to a recording studio. If you record a string quartet in a recording studio, the engineer uses six microphones – one for each player placed very close to the instrument plus two microphones for ambience. It is recorded in 6 tracks, then mixed. The engineer tries to make it sound better by adding EQ, compression, reverb, etc. The result is like a movie soundtrack. It does not have the pureness of live sound.

Classical (or concert) music should be recorded in halls or churches that have supreme acoustics. Check your favorite classical CDs, and you will find that they were recorded in good halls or churches. If a studio was used, it would be a huge room like the one at Skywalker Sound.

Equipment
Fox Music uses the best equipment currently available to "capture reality in the highest quality and the purest ways." We try not to use equipment that change the reality of the actual sound, such as microphones that make everything warm by adding harmonic distortion.

Here is a partial list of the equipment we use:
-A matched pair of Earthworks QTC1: probably the most accurate mics available. Famous for the "being there" quality.

-Korg MR1000 Digital Recorder: "Hearing the orchestra recorded on the MR-1000 is like being on the conductor's podium - it's that real. Nothing else compares."
( Paul Gambill, Music Director - Nashville Chamber Orchestra)

- Alesis HD24 Digital Recorder- when more than 2 tracks are needed.

Microphone/Recording Technique
Most of the time, we record in two tracks using only two microphones. This simplest and purest set-up gives the most natural result. If your performance includes amplified instruments or a PA system, this method will not work. More tracks will be required.

How to find a place for recording
The best place for recording is an appropriately sized concert hall. If you cannot afford one, try churches in remote locations. They may be willing to exchange your services for the use of their space. Charleston SC has many churches with great acoustics.

Fees

Package 1 - $250
Includes 2 hours of high-end location recording, basic mastering to an audio CD
- Additional time $75 / hour (must be consecutive)

Package 2 - $200
Includes 2 hours of high-end location recording, non-edited audio or data CD
No post production such as editing or mastering is included
- Additional time $75 / hour (must be consecutive)

Multi-Track Location Recording - ask for price and details

Digital Editing, Processing, and Mastering
- $50/hour with recording service
- $75/hour without recording service
e.g. DAT to CD, tape to CD, editing, restoration, etc. ask for availability.

CDR Duplication Ask for prices and other information

Travel/Parking Fee $0 ~ up
based on the location.

Other services
Fox Music offers other services including:

• On-Site Mic Recordings
• On-Site Multi-Track Recordings
• On-Site Narration
• Meeting Room Lectures
• Studio Demo Projects
• Audio Editing
• Cassette, Record or other media format conversions to CD
• Vocal over Track Demos
• Radio commercials
• On hold music and narration
• Books on CD
• Interviews
• Voice Over Recordings

Policy

Payment
50 % of the total amount (not transferable nor refundable) must be received before the recording engineer is booked and a date and time can be reserved. The remaining balance is due upon arrival to an event. Fox Music must be notified in writing or e-mail of the cancellation of an event at least 30 days prior to that event, otherwise the client is responsible for the final payment by the due date. A late fee of $35 will be charged if the final payment is not received by the due date. A $35 fee will be charged for any returned checks.

Recording conditions
Recording equipment must be indoors. For location recording: A grounded power outlet within 100 feet from recording equipment is necessary. 2 track recording requires 1 hours of set-up time, 30 minutes of takedown time and up to five minutes of sound check time.

Special discounts
Special discounts are available for students, independent music teachers hosting student recitals, and for large-scale projects. Call for details.

Refunds
There is no refund on any fees.

All prices and conditions are subject to change.

Sample Recordings*

Below are a few sample recordings from Pawley's Island Presbyterian church. Festival Doxology features the church choir.

* These samples have been converted to MP3 and do not reflect the true quality of the original recording. Please contact us if you would like to hear the original recording in high quality. *