I just wante​d to annou​nce that Justi​n Johns​on is offic​ially​ my recor​ding and produ​ction​ assis​tant.​ He has under​gone exten​sive train​ing over the past 6 month​s and has moved​ local​ly which​ both has enabl​ed him to work more close​ly with me and the proje​cts at the Basem​ent Recor​ding NC. He will be exerc​ising​ recor​ding and produ​ction​ along​ side me in tande​m with runni​ng his recor​d label​ Proje​ct Alpha​ music​.​ I'm excit​ed to have his assis​tance​ and to be able to make use of his many talen​ts as an engin​eer and produ​cer.​ I thank​ Justi​n for his persi​stenc​e and toler​ance.​ haha Welco​me aboar​d.​ I'm confi​dent with Justi​n'​s help,​ my quali​ty of produ​ct and effic​iency​ will conti​nue to progr​ess.​ Thank​s,​ Jamie​

I just wanted to make a quick note about demos vs. fully produced records.  I get inquiries about doing demos all the time.  A lot of people don't either know or consider the difference between a demo and a fully produced record.  In generally, a demo (or demonstration) record, is for personal or inter label use.  You should 'demo' a song so you can listen for weaknesses in the material and get ideas for improving and/or layering the record.  You can use demos to give your record label an idea of what your songs sound like (after you're signed of course).  Of course, demos are usually quick records with little reguard to the tones and take.  Bacially, it's just a live recording to get your ideas down.  Of course, I don't recommend using a demo to promote to the public or shop record labels.  Many people make the huge mistake of using rough demos to shop labels and promote to the public with sampler product or songs online like here on myspace.  I think a lot of people just don't really consider the fact that the average listener (and many times the record lable A&R) doesn't understand production.  They generally just think "If the record sounds bad, the band must be bad".  Of course, this often isn't the case.  Most won't even listen to a record that sounds "not so good".  They won't even give the songs a chance.  A pro sound is pretty much expected these days.  With the advent of digital recording, it's relatively inexpensive to get a fully produced product so even labels expect it now.  The generally think "If the band is serious, they will have a good sounding recording".  I just wanted to point out this thinking as I've noticed that a lot of bands aren't considering it.  In essence, a lot of bands are basically saying "Hey, check out how bad or unprofessional we sound".  Which of course gets you no fans and generally no record deal.  If you are band that is considering whether or not to do some demos or a fully produced record, I suggest that you determine your goals.  If you want to use the record to make fans and/or get a record deal, go for fully produced.  If you just want to record to see what your stuff sounds like recorded and to get ideas for improvement and/or layering, do a demo.  I can provide either of course.  But of course, a demo done at home on a boom box may yeild the same function as going into a studio to do a demo.  I can usually do a demo record for a full length record in one day so the budget required is minimal.  But again, I don't recommend for release.  I can usually do 3-4 min of audio fully produced in one day that can be used for shopping labels and promoting to the public.  If budget is an issue (which I know almost always is),  I recommend quality over quantity.  One fully produced songs will get you much farther than an entire album catalog of demos.  Doing a fully produced record entails recording things individually to get the best tones and takes and then doing the necessary post production processes to ensure that performance flaws and/or undesirables are minimal or non-existant.  This makes for the most pleasant and impressive sounding recording possible.  There are some styles that should be more perfect than other of course.  The record doesn't have to be the best sounding in the world to make fans or get signed.  It just has to be a certain quality.  You can use any tones you want almost just as long as the record is mixed properly and the "right" performances are captured.  Just hit me up if you have any questions about demos and/or fully produced records.   Again, I can help with either.  I just want to make sure the product I provide helps you achieve your goals.

Thanks,

Jamie

I offer an lot of services in which you may be able to benefit.  Of course I can help with mastering, mixing and editing of any project in any capacity.  

One of the most quick and inexspensive services I provide other engineer/producers is mastering.  Any recording that is released to the plublic and/or pressed should be mastered in my opinion.  Although levels and EQ vary greatly, the record should be comparable to other professionally mastered products to ensure it sounds good to the listener in comparison to other records.  The record should playback consistently from stereo system to system as well.  My mastering turnaround is generally about 2-5 days and the price is about as cheap as it get for mastering with industry standard gear.   Just upload your records for me and I'll master them to your specifications with a reguard to the industry standards.  I can provide a redbook production master with any desire track flow and industry encoding.  With me, mastering is an inexpensive way to make sure your record stands up to everything else from the listener's perspective.  I am providing a comparable product to what mastering facilities are providing for more than 10 times as much money and return time. 

There are editing options that you could find useful as well.  I  offer industry standard production services like basic noise stripping, drum quantizing, drum sample replacement and/or layering, guitar and bass reamping (if the direct tracks exist), vocal tuning and aligning.  I can help with dynamics treatments and processing and such as well.  Basically anything that you need done that you either don't have the gear or software for, or time or desire to do yourself.   Including myself,  I have a network of engineers that can help get your processes done fully relatively quickly and for a extremely reasonable price.  Just  hit me up about the options for any or your post production needs. 

And of course, I offer mixing services as well.  Along with the editing, I can mix your record to your specifications.  I do it all in Protools so the information is stored which allow instant recall.  We can tweak the record over time until it is just how you want it.  I have almost all the software available to do what you needs done to your audio either in editing and/or mix so the options are almost limitless.  Mixing is one of the aspects or recording that is more of an art than a science so I don't really outsource for this service.  If all the post production and editing is done, I can dial up a mix relatively quick.  Just hit me up for mixing options. 

If you are looking to achieve a fully produced "off-the-shelf'" record label release quality, hit me up prior to record the record.  I can go other some things that need to be done to ensure this can be achieved.  I can give you a sort of check list or list of guidelines to follow that will ensure the best possible project and ensure that all the post production stuff can be done.  Major indie and major labels do have some requirements for records to be considered fully produced and releasable.  I've had many clients have their record picked up by labels and having a fully produced record to spec was part of how this was possible.

Lastly, I offer sort of a step by step training program for those that are interested.  I go over the industry standard gear and processes for rock and metal as well as my modifications and specific gear and software use.  If you are seeking education in the feild, this can be really helpful (even if you have or are going to attend school).  I've had a lot of students of places like Full Sail say that my program helped them more than their entire school experience.  I just go over the process in a real world environment from A to B.  You can learn from scratch or just come in to fill in some blanks.  I can give you info in hours that took me 10 years to learn.  Just hit me up if you're interested and I'll let you know what it entails.

Pretty much, I can help with almost all aspects of engineering and producing modern rock and metal (with all relative subgenres) .  Just get up with me about what you need and I'll go over the options with you.

Thanks and looking forward to working together,

Jamie

Just letting everyone know that I'm working out of my new basement now. Things are sounding better than ever. All top of the line industry standard gear and new, more professional environment. And the ability to keep the vibe low key and the rates affordable. Check out the new specs. New photos and songs coming soon.

Thanks,
Jamie King
The Basement Recording NC