What concerns me is your expectation level to be honest. Many low budget studios produce no better audio than you could record yourself, if you find a nice location. In fact, nowadays you could record the tracks and then send them to somebody who could make them sound nicer. Until you get to the really expensive studios, very little matters bar some modest kit with somebody good at the controls. Remember so many really famous releases were NOT recorded in expensive studios. You've mentioned the phlegm thing a few times and it's clearly causing you concern. When you get it - how long does it last, and what actually happens to your voice? Does it make it worse, or just different.
With some duvets or blankets hung around your living room or bedroom you could probably record in comfort and with much less stress. Frankly, I doubt this studio is going to be able to do very much for you?
Hi Rob!
Thanks so much for your giving so much first hand expert advice! This studio I went to on my bicycle as a trial run 3 times now and 2 different means of getting there. I broke my personal rule the second and third times and combined using city bus and light rail as I don't want to get there and be exhausted. Going home is fine. It takes me about 3 hrs and 15 min to pedal all the way back. I tried hard with my Q8 and large diaphragm condenser mics. It was a hard decision, but I wasn't really getting the best sound quality. I inquired with email to about 5 studios. It happened that this studio I'll give a link to had just completed what the owner calls his lower budget studio. I can record and he would be the engineer in their "Studio B". I went on a weekend thinking he would be less busy. There was a door jam holding the door open and actually in the Studio B there was someone, a rapper, who was pro enough there was some very expensive video equipment. On the van outside it noted a "cinema" company title, so a lot of money being spent. It turned out they were renting the studio and doing their own engineering. I only stayed about 15 min and mainly kept out of the way and others taking a second look as though they were wondering who I was. There was quite a few there too.
They now, unlike the website photo of Studio B, have two very big screens in the control room that must be 25 or 30 inch screens. In the website photo you can see the equipment. I provide the link below. They recorded some pretty renowned people there. I like pianist George Winston and they recorded him. They have a video of him playing their grand piano and recording at their FaceBook site. Another time I did a trial run there a part time engineer was waiting for the studio to be opened and was in the parking lot. He said many years ago the owner recorded Prince before he became real well known. They also recorded guitarist Leo Kotkke (sp?). It's $50 an hour and a minimum of 2 hrs. The owner likes the song I chose. He hasn't heard my music. They mainly record it seems Metal and Rap and not any folk singers, but they are $35 less an hour than the others as they average around $85 an hour. This is the only page link and it's their home page. At the top just below the header click on "Studio B" and they give the info.
The owner also said he thinks we can do my about 3min 26 sec on the average song in 3 hrs including the mastering. His minimum for mastering is one hour. I also ordered a set of new strings and they have stretched nicely now and glad I did as I'd been using the same strings since a day after I received my guitar via UPS on May 27th. I'm also glad I changed to Savarez strings like I used with my old Salvation Army find guitar I've played since 1980. I spent my stimulus money on this guitar but very glad I did as my old guitar I'll always keep. I discovered, once I heard myself via my new Q8 camera, it wasn't really up to par any more. The guitar I now have, a Takamine No.10 from 1986 nylon string guitar, I've found to be almost never played in 34 years. once I put new strings on it, it soundes beautiful.
Someone here said run my Q8 while I'm in the studio... I'm sounding stubborn but you have me interested in what you think of their equipment at that studio.
Home It's important to me this first debut on YouTube so I'm banking a lot on this, where in my case on my budget, this is all, the "new guitar", the new Q8, the steamer yet to be purchased, the pro studio costs... equivalent to someone on a normal budget buying a new car. This will be my "debut", followed by my original songs I plan to post at YouTube.
So, "Neither time nor tide waits for no man." I've got to get with it, but can't afford to get there and have the phlegm problem. At the open mics I did well with that and riding bike in cold air did something positive for my vocal cords. I've never used a steamer. I ordered a "nebulizer" that the factory seal was broken on. With good advice here I decided to return it and amazon was very nice about it. They even gave me credit for the 100 saline solution vials I bought and said keep them and still refunded me! With a steamer as opposed to a nebulizer they say not to use saline solution so I'll buy bottled water. I read that really nebulizers are more for people using various pulmonary type of medications as the very fine mist penetrates deep into the lungs, which is not needed to moisturize the vocal cords.
When I have phlegm it's a very big problem. I'll keep trying to clear my throat and it can compound, make it worse. I read from several sources you need to keep hydrated. I am 66 yrs old and I know I never drink enough water. They say you as an elderly person should drink eight 8oz glasses of water a day, at least. Dehydration is a big cause of phlegm around the vocal cords. I sound terrible when it's happening, gravelly voice etc. I can't risk getting to that studio and having that happen, so I'll get there good and early and use a steamer. Really I want to practice more and don't feel ready. I need to find a descent portable handheld steamer. I found an expensive one but they trap you into having to buy their special vials that have a narrow tip that fits into a tiny port to inject the water. I think I'm just going to get the cheaper one you have to plug in and one you can use just plain water in. Steam doesn't penetrate as deep as nebulizers and less risk of lung infection. Also an Ear Nose and Throat doctor said for singers a steamer is best. It's the more direct way than drinking a lot of water.
So a few things happening that have delayed. I have to build up my confidence too, and now feel I need to have the soulful or whatever point of feeling "ready" and finally pick up my phone and call that studio. I am interested in your input too and included that link, but only if you have time. I also feel I'm very fortunate they just finished that lower budget Studio B. Other studios had a 3 hour minimum. I think that Studio B will end up being booked way in advance once more musicians find out about it, which is another reason I should not be stalling too long... plus once September comes in Minnesota the weather can be very nice, but then suddenly a rush of northern air mass and with very cold penetrating rain. For therapy today, and it's a day made from heaven, I'm going to ride bike and bring some sandwiches and along the way listen to my Dr. Wayne Dyer CD set on "Change Your Thoughts Change Your Ways" ha! I'm bringing my book "The Power of Now" by Ekhart Tolle too ha! Even when I'm practicing and not nervous, like last night, my vocal cords stick or phlegm returns. I have to be careful and be prepared. I'm grateful to all here and thanks for any input, but only if you happen to have any.
Kindest Regards,
Winfred