Rates & Terms (click here to read portions of this page in Español)

How much does it cost?

* Minimum booking/billing time is one hour. 

* Payment is expected at the end of each session (see the following section regarding payment options).

* There is no charge for a visit to see the studio and discuss your project in more detail. Please call to schedule an appointment.

* Officially the clock starts ticking at the point where I begin placing microphones and hooking things up. Having said that, usually I don't start the clock until we start recording. It kinda depends on how long it takes to set things up. The clock stops ticking at the point where I hand you the CD mixes at the end of each session (either a rough mix or the final master).

* I'll stop the clock for an extended lunch and/or dinner break.

* These rates include the use of all the equipment and instruments the studio has to offer. If you're going to be using any of my musical instruments, let me know ahead of time so I can make sure they are set up properly and ready to go.

* Gift certificates are available - give the gift of music! 

Payment options - what kind of dinero do you take?

Cash. Cash payments are the preferred method. As mentioned above payment is expected at the end of each session. There are at least 5 ATM machines within a two block radius from here for your convenience. I don't accept personal checks for obvious reasons. 

Paypal. Payment through the on-line Paypal system is also accepted. Transfer of the funds must have been finalized prior to the day of the session and requires advance notice. Call for more info.

I can provide a receipt if needed for tax purposes.

Hours of operation.

Monday - Friday:   10AM - 1 PM  and 5 PM - midnight (the studio is unavailable in the afternoons from 1 PM until 5 PM unless special arrangements are made ahead of time).

Saturday 10 AM - midnight

Sunday  10 AM - 10 PM

Scheduling time & checking on studio availability.

Scheduling a recording session is easy. Just pick up the phone and call us at (847) 622-9109. If you get the answering machine, please leave a message and I'll get back to you shortly. I do return phone calls!  

Please be aware that scheduling a recording session and checking on studio availability are two different things. Open dates that were available one minute might be gone the next. If asked, I will hold a specific date open for you for 24 hours.

I will attempt to contact you 24 hours before a scheduled session as a courtesy reminder. If you don't get a confirming call or email from me at least 24 hours before a scheduled session, please call me! There have been a few times where clients have shown up here on the wrong day. Or there was some sort misunderstanding about the date. 

Cancellations/rescheduling.

I require a minimum two (2) hour prior notice for session cancellation. Call (847) 622-9109 to cancel or reschedule a session. If you don't call to cancel a session, you will have to pay a cash deposit of $50 before booking any further time in my studio. The deposit will be deducted from your bill at the end of the recording project. Please do not use email or my cell phone to communicate cancellations as I don't check them as often.

I'd also appreciate a phone call if you're going to be more than a half-hour late to the session. 

I hate having to do this but too many people were booking time and then not showing up. It's not personal - it's business. Just pick up the  phone and make the call. 

CD duplication/replication.

Typically, I'll provide one master CD copy per band member at the end of each session. If you need more than that just ask. I don't charge extra for blank CD-R's but please be aware that the clock is still ticking while I am burning CD's for you.

LnL Recording is also an authorized studio partner with Disc Makers - one of the largest and best CD replicators in the world. If you need larger quantities for commercial distribution, call for more information or click on the icon below. Dealing through me is preferred as I can save you a couple of bucks and make sure your project is handled in a timely manner.

Mastering.

Mastering is the final coat of polish which is applied to a recording. You can read more about this in the FAQ section.

I charge a flat rate of $20/hour for mastering work. If your project was recorded at another studio and you want to have your music professionally mastered, please call. I can provide a level of mastering quality that should meet or exceed the expectations of most aspiring recording artists. Typically, most full-length albums can be mastered in less than a day. I tell clients to budget one hour per song but in reality, it's usually about half that amount. 

Referral Program.

An effective marketing tool is a satisfied client. Happy campers usually spread the word and that's where a lot of my business comes from. 

Here's the deal: if you refer someone who books 3 or more consecutive hours here, I will provide you with one (1) free hour of recording time on your next session. The more people you refer here, the more free time you get. It's a win-win situation for both of us. Some restrictions apply - please call ahead of time for more information.

Refunds and Guarantees.

Sorry, but I can't guarantee that a CD produced in this studio is going to lead to a great big fat record deal, or a even a gig at the local saloon. I don't offer cash refunds but I will provide free recording time if something goes haywire. Money doesn't usually exchange hands until the end of the session anyway. The way I usually work it is that I'll have the client record the first song and then we'll do a rough mix. If you're happy with the results, we continue on. If not, we shake hands and go our separate ways. No questions asked. 

I want to make sure you all understand this. Your satisfaction is important to me. The way I see it, your music is going to be distributed to a potentially large audience. Hopefully, LnL Recording is credited somewhere on the CD and that is good publicity for me. It's in my best interest that you walk away with the greatest sounding CD ever. I get a lot of repeat business and referrals so that means I must be doing something right :-)

Block rates, discounts and spec deals.

I don't offer block or discounted hourly rates. If you can't afford to pay $20/hour for your recording project then you should probably rethink your goals. And I'm not interested in "spec" or "backend participation" deals. Sorry. I'm also aware that some studios charge "per song" as opposed to an hourly rate. For example, $100 per song. I don't do that because it doesn't make a lot of sense to me personally. What if the song takes 2 months to record? What if the song only takes 10 minutes to record? In the end it seems like someone is getting screwed. I honestly think it's in our mutual best interest to simply charge by the hour. 

Children and Pets.

Children under the age of 10 are not allowed in the studio - even as guests of clients. I'm sorry about this but stuff has gotten damaged here because of kids running around loose during a session or visit. A few times clients have brought kids along unannounced and expected my wife to babysit them during the session.

Sessions involving children between the ages of 10-13 years old will be limited to 3 hours per session maximum. Children tend to get antsy and lose focus after an hour or two. That has been my experience anyway. 

Do not bring young children to a session and leave them outside to sit unattended in the car for hours. Believe it or not, this has happened more than a few times. A few years ago, a client brought an infant along and left it outside in his locked car for a couple of hours. If I find out you brought infants or young children along and are intending to leave them alone outside for more than a few minutes, I will cancel the session right then and there and we won't be doing any more business together. I have zero tolerance for parents who neglect their children because of a hobby! I need the money but not bad enough to sit there worrying about someone else's kid during the course of a session.

I don't have any pets and no pets are allowed in the studio. I love pets. I have nothing against them. It's just that some of my clients are very allergic to them. The smell of pet dander literally causes their throats to clog up - potentially ruining the session. If you bring a pet it will have to stay in the car.

Smoking.

Sorry no smoking inside the studio.

Food & Drinks.

You are encouraged to bring your own food & drinks along. Especially if you're going to be here a while. Hunger pains are distracting. There are a few good restaurants nearby as well as a couple of major supermarkets. Alcoholic beverages are fine although I will terminate the session if you can't handle your alcohol and start acting like a jerk. There's a bar down the street where you can drink and they won't charge you $20 an hour.

Transportation.

There is a Metra train station 10 minutes from here. If you are coming in from the city, and traveling light, I might suggest taking the train (Milwaukee District West line). The train makes a couple of stops here in Elgin. You want to get off at the second stop - after the National Street station. There is taxi service there or we can make arrangements to have you picked up. Call for more details.

Wi-Fi Enabled.

We offer hi-speed internet access for clients with laptops.

Disclaimer.

We reserve the right to decline or terminate any recording project, at any time, if it seems as though we can't satisfy the needs of the client for whatever reason. I can usually tell from the initial phone conversation if this is the right place for you or not. If it seems as though we won't be able to accommodate your project here, we can recommend other studios in the area that might be better suited to your needs. 

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