Many studios quote a low hourly rate for basic recording, which means setting up mikes and providing an engineer. ($45.00 to $80.00 an hour, as of May 2011) They simply record what you play, and any production will result in additional charges. If you are a fully rehearsed band with all your arrangements tightly in place, you are farther ahead to use a traditional studio. Our strength lies in what we can do for the singer/songwriter or single/duo performers without a band who would like a fully produced CD or group of songs.

Fingerman Studios charges a single low hourly rate, (presently $45.00/hr) however, our rate includes everything you need to create a professional production. We provide consultation, music arranging, and act as your band, providing the backup instruments your song will benefit from. We will add appropriate effects, and mix down the tracks, all while getting your input naturally! We are always aware that these songs are YOURS, not ours, so we work within your comfort level, yet providing as much (or little) additional recording as your song would most benefit from. We always let you know an estimate of what your song will end up costing, and a general ballpark is anywhere from $100 to $150 for each fully produced song, naturally more if you desire complex arrangements with full orchestration, etc.

Where other studios charge up to $100.00 per instrument per song, and addtional producer fees, mastering, etc., we provide all of our services at the one low hourly rate. We can often learn and record a bass or drum track for your song in as little as ten minutes or so, depending on the complexity of the song. This saves you bundles when compared to the competition's rates for similar services.

Here are a few orhter advantages to working with Fingerman Studios:

• There is no pressure. If you've budgeted a few hours for a fully produced song, we will get it done within that time frame. If it takes longer, it is our problem, not yours, as we'll always honor whatever estimate we've provided.
• You are not just paying for studio time and an engineer. Our hourly rate includes full production, and always includes additional arrangement and music instrument tracks, and even mastering of the final tracks if required.
• You end up with a digital recording of your professionally produced musical work which you can be proud of.

Because no two projects are alike, the number of hours required to result in a professional recording may vary.

Here are some examples of costs:

• Single performer with instrument. We discuss song structure, record basic instrument backing track, then record vocals. We will then add some additional instrumentation to fill out the sound, showcasing the melody and vocals, and mix down a fully produced song. This could be done in anywhere from two to three hours, depending upon the complexity of the song, and the preparedness of the client.
• Overtime is OUR problem, not yours. If we stick to the original vision for the song, and it requires more time on our part, it is never your problem, as we will honor the original quote.
• If you have a budget that allows a specific amount of time for a song, and we wind up going over, we absorb the extra time spent, in order to honor your budget.
  

When you compare the costs to using a traditional studio as a singer-songwriter, you will see that we are a much better option. Some of the larger studios are still using master tapes, meaning your music will not be digitally recorded. Even with digital tape, you will be charged for the tape itself, in addition to other 'extras'. Their rates may include an engineer, but generally no expert musical arrangement advice, and certainly no additional musicians unless you find them, hire them to rehearse and record the parts which your arranger has worked out for them. Even if you were to go to this expense and have it all recorded, a traditional studio will generally charge extra for a producer to mix it all down. Then they refer to to an outsourced mastering facility.

Because we provide ALL of these services IN-HOUSE, the final production is performed by someone who is very familiar with your vision for the music, and the results show it. We provide a personal commitment to your project - every step of the way.

Compare for yourself and see which option makes more sense...

A three-hour session with us gives you a fully produced rendition of your song, complete with additional instruments, arranging, an archived copy of your music, (kept here) and a promotional webpage of your own, all for under $150.00.

A similar package through a 'big' studio would cost hundreds more, by the time you pay the extra fees for production, studio musicians, cost for the CD and for archiving your song at the studio. You'd be paying many times more for similar results, and still wouldn't have the promotional webpage. If you're a single or duo performer, it just makes sense to come to Fingerman Studios!