Tracking, Mixing and Mastering since 1963. We understand the current state of the Business
Hi. The name of the business is Final Track Studios. I have watched the industry change dramatically since the 60's and less than 20% of our sessions today are complete start to finish projects. We regularly have files brought in or transferred in and add that 'Final Track' This could be Vocals, Grand Piano, Hammond B3 or specialized session players. We are a Pro Tools 12 shop with an analog front end and can work with files from any DAW.
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Interview with Final Track Studios
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Childrens Christian story CD with 35 actors and singers, 30 track music score and 10 tracks of sound effects. We recorded most of it in my studio, some in Texas, Some in Alabama, some in N. Carolina. Mixed and mastered at Final Track Studios.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Recording a Narration of the Bible and a great Jazz record.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Nicki Gonzalez
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. Music starts and ends up in the analog state. The wonderful digital gear we have is there to support the analog sounds we work with.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will not let anything out of the studio with the studio that I would not put my name on.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I do something different every day, all of which improve my skills.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Why do you track, mix and Master with the control room monitors so quiet. Answer : You can not hear the subtlle parts of a mix with the volume up.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I am a Magician not a Musician. I can only do so much with your tracks. I can't fix a mess, no-one can!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What do you want to accomplish with your music beyond getting it on iTunes?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Ask to listen to some work similar to what your track is like.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Neumann TLM-67, Neumann U-87, Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II, Universal Audio Apollo 16,
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Retired Investment Banker. Started in the 60's, our band recorded at Columbia Studios, NYC in the 60's and I have performed, recorded and mixed since then. I built the first studio in the 80's and have upgraded and/or moved to improve four times.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Laid Back
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Justin Timberlake
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Move the Microphone as many times as necessary to get the sound you want - Don't just grab the EQ. You can never un-EQ a track and you can't fix it in the mix - regardless of what you are told.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Rap and Hip Hop
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening into the mix for problems.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Experience tracking, mixing and mastering all styles of music since the 60's.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: If we are working with previously recorded files we will analyze them and then add what is needed live in the studio.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Five room shop in Control Room, Vocal booth, Percussion room, live room and Video suite - all with mic lines and six headphone feeds permanently installed.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I have always been impressed by the work of the Producer, the individual who guides the Artist to produce the best track possible, and assist the mix engineer to create the best mix possible.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: We add vocals or live instruments to sessions either brought to us as .wav files or FTP transferred to us from clients not in the area. We have session players and session singers available to support any need. We also do quite a lot of mixing and/or mastering of projects tracked in other studios.
