Studio Policies
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the studio policy. A clear understanding of the policy will reduce confusion later on.
Booking
A $100 deposit is required to book each session. If your deposit is not received within 4 weeks of your session time (or on the date that your session is booked) your time may be forfeited to another client. The deposit will be applied to your session. If cancellation occurs inside of the 72 hour window of booked start time the $100 deposit will not be refunded but will be applied to future sessions booked. and an additional cancellation fee of $100 will be billed to the Artist. In order for the studio to function, it requires dependable booking times. To avoid paying cancellation fees, please book your session only if you are 100% certain that you can make it as scheduled and if you must cancel please attempt to meet the deadline of 72 hours or more prior to your session time.
Payment
Payment is required upon completion of each project, and before a final mix is received by the artist. Payment may be made by cash, personal or company check, money order, VISA or MasterCard or Paypal. There is a $35 fee for returned checks. Payments with Paypal and Credit Cards will be charged a 4% tax.
Masters
Your account must be paid in full prior to receiving your master. Masters are generally provided via Dropbox. Once your masters are available on dropbox you are responsible to download the songs for your own personal use. CD’s are available for $10 Per.
Billable Items
When the engineer is working on your project, that time is billable. This includes when you are present in the studio with the engineer. But may also include other times when the engineer is working on your project, such as doing requested edits, editing vocals, mixing, mastering, “bouncing” a rough mix, or uploading your tracks. Backing tracks are available upon request and the time used to edit and print them is billable. Session stems are also available upon request for a fee of $500 plus the billable time used to edit, organize and print said stems. Entire raw sessions are stored in the producer and engineers archives and are not available to anyone for any reason. All items previously listed are billable time at an agreed upon price between the Artist, Producer, and Engineer.
Studio Time
The clock begins as soon as the artist arrives. When you indicate you are finished and the equipment is no longer in use the clock stops. (If a master is being printed, the clock continues to run until the master is finished.)
Studio Hours
Recording hours are typically Monday-Friday from 10am-8pm, but can be adjusted at a varying rate. This includes about an hour for setup. Set up is part of your booked time. There will be occasional breaks and one hour (not charged) for lunch during 8 hour sessions. Weekend and evening sessions may be booked but times & rates vary. To arrange to have an engineer present on weekends, a minimum of 4 hours must be scheduled.
Breaks
If during 8 hour plus sessions you wish to take a meal break, you may do so off the clock. If you want to work through the meal break to listen to the session, do edits, overdubs, etc., it will be at the discretion of the engineers, and the clock will continue to run. If the engineer encounters a technical problem, the time it takes to solve the problem is off the clock.
Starting Time
When you schedule time, it is expected you will arrive on time and we adjust our work schedule accordingly. It should be understood that we will bill you from the beginning of your scheduled time regardless of what time you arrive. Studio time is billed in hourly increments.
Open-Ended Time
If no one is scheduled after you, such as at the end of the day or on weekends, you may continue until you reach your goal or wish to stop at the discretion of the engineers.
Equipment Rental
If there is something you need that we do not have available, you may bring it yourself or request we rent it for you at prevailing rates. Any equipment damaged or broken the client is responsible for.
Food and Beverage
The lounge is available for your convenience at no additional charge. The lounge has a kitchenet with microwave and refrigerator, entertainment center and a private restroom. You may bring your own food and beverages and store them in the refrigerator or you may order food to be delivered. Food and drink may be brought into the studio but must be kept away from equipment racks, console and piano.
GUESTS:
Guests are welcome at engineers discretion, however please keep it to a minimum. All studio rules apply to guests.
Use of the Studio’s Drums and Guitars
If a client/artist wishes to use the studio’s drum kit and wants new heads to be installed on the kit, it will be the client’s responsibility to supply those new drum heads. The sizes are in inches; toms 10, 12, 13, 14, 16 - two snares 14 and 14 - 22 kick.
Please bring your own sticks. After your session is complete, you may take the heads. You bought them - they are yours.
We insist that every guitar and bass are set up and intonated before each session, if you are using your own guitar this must be done prior to the session and must be approved by us, if you are using one of ours you are responsible for the string cost. All instruments brought by the Artist will only be used on the session at the engineers discretion.
Leaving Gear Behind
If you leave something at the studio we will use reasonable care that it's stored safely. However, we cannot be held responsible in the event that your gear is damaged through un-willful occurrence (water, fire damage, theft etc).
Gear Damaged Due To Willful or Accidental Negligence
If you or anyone in your party breaks or damages anything owned by the studio, you agree to pay for the full replacement or repair of that item. This includes anything used to make your record.
Third Party Producers / Engineers / Performers
If you wish to bring in your own producer, engineer, or performer you may do so at the discretion of the owners. We can also recommend a variety of independent producers and musicians to fit your specific project. Production and performance fees should be discussed with the individual producer or performer and the Artist, We are not responsible for the quality of work done by third party independent producer’s engineers or artists and do not engage in any negotiations with those third parties. Any outside talent brought in without the owners recommendation is not affiliated with RMI.
Responsibility
The person responsible for paying for studio time must sign an agreement and will be held responsible for the actions of all artists and guests he or she brings to any session. The client must show a legal ID with proof of age. If the client is under 18 years of age, the client's parent or legal guardian must read and sign this agreement and provide a legal ID. Additional proof of guardianship may be required if last names are different. The parent or legal guardian will be held responsible for all actions and debts of the client.
These rules apply to all persons. There are absolutely no exceptions whatsoever. We absolutely will not, under any circumstance, deal directly with a minor -that being any person under age 18. All minors must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian 100% of the time while on the studio grounds.
1. No smoking inside the studio, the smoke particles can damage audio gear. Please smoke outside. Deposit extinguished cigarettes in the outside trash can or smokers pole out front NOT ON THE GROUND
3. Behavior: Rock Mill Industries is a recording studio not a bar or amusement park. Drugs or any illicit behavior is strictly prohibited anywhere on the premises.
Thank you for reviewing the studio policy. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.