Recording

Basics, overdubs,
or a room of your own.

Sharkbite in Oakland when you want a proper studio. A full rig brought to a house, a barn, or wherever the record wants to be made when you don't.

Two ways to do it

At Sharkbite. A real room in Oakland with the gear already in it. Basics one day, overdubs on another, the way records normally get made. You're paying for me and for the room, and I've split those out below so you can see where the money goes.

Somewhere else. I own the rig, so the session can happen in a house, a rehearsal space, or any room with the right character. This is usually the more interesting record. It's also the one people don't know they can ask for.

Rates

My day
$500
8 hours, 10 if we're on a roll
Sharkbite room
$300
per day, booked with the studio
Remote session
$1,200
per day, my rig, your room

A day at Sharkbite is $800 all in. Studio time is booked directly with the room, and I'll help you work out which one fits the project and the budget. I work regularly at Sharkbite, 25th Street Recording and Brothers Chinese Recording.

Mixing and mastering are quoted separately. Mixing rates · Mastering rates

The rooms

The control room at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, large console lit up.
Sharkbite Studios, Oakland.
A session in progress at Sharkbite Studios. Matt Boudreau seated at the console, drummer Ihor Pacholuk standing.
Tracking Sean O'Brien's band at Sharkbite. Ihor Pacholuk, drums, standing.

A note on budgeting your time

What I call a day is 8 hours, 10 max if we're on a roll. After 30+ years in the studio, here's my advice on budgeting your time:

  1. It always takes longer than anyone thinks it will.
  2. Don't try to cram too much into a day. Quality suffers.
  3. If you practice or play live occasionally, three songs a day should be the max.
  4. If you tour and practice constantly, maybe five if you're lucky.
  5. Write down what you want to accomplish so budget and time don't disappear to poor planning.

Ready when you are

Tell me what the record is, roughly how many songs, and whether you have a room in mind. I'll come back with days and a number.

Start a project