Random Awesome

Who I'd like to meet:

Life is Random. Sound Awesome!

Hi there! I'm Josh Schroeder, song writer/drummer/guitarist for Besieged (Blood & Ink Records) and owner/sole operator of RANDOM AWESOME! Recording Studio.

I've been recording pro-level albums for independent-level bands at extremely affordable rates for years. I'm dedicated to helping bands, musicians, and record labels produce EPs and albums that compete with top-of-the-line recordings at a fraction of the price. Years of first-hand experience in the music industry allow me to provide inside information and advice on major label standards regarding engineering, recording, promotion, merchandising and production.

A band's collective sound should be as unique as the individual artists involved. All too often, an album is mastered by someone who is not involved with the recording process, having not witnessed the unique characteristics of each recording artist. I provide mastering services on a personal level that cater to each member of the band, while retaining a cohesive and professional mix that doesn't compromise the initial vision for the record.

I find that I'm improving by leaps and bounds with each record I complete, thanks by no small means to massive breakthroughs in recent years within the digital realm of the recording world. Over the last couple of years I've completely rethought and re-programmed my entire recording process. To say I'm excited about the future of digital recording would be a vast undertstatement.

Recording at RANDOM AWESOME! keeps you ahead of studios that have invested millions in equipment and recording techniques that are rapidly becoming obsolete or replaceable through amazing software emulation advances with each passing year. I've made a believer out of every die-hard analog enthusiast I've met thus far, and I guarantee you'll be floored by what has only recently become possible in my cutting-edge recording studio.

Please contact me with any questions you have on pricing and booking information. I look forward to bringing out the very best in your musical project.

Josh Schroeder
RANDOM AWESOME! Professional Recording Studio
Bay City, Michigan USA
josh@randomawesome.com
989-684-9570


Rates
I choose not to charge by the hour for the vast majority of my projects in order to provide a very relaxing and creative recording experience.

For my typical recording projects (Rock-Punk-Metal-Hardcore with 2 guitars, bass, drums, vocals) I charge $300 for one song ($250 per song after that) which includes editing, mixing, and mastering.

If you are planning to drive a long distance, have a full-length to record, have a tight budget, or special scenario with a record label (I'm always looking to establish great working relations with various labels), please contact me - I'll do whatever I can to work with you towards recording a great sounding album. If you feel like you can bang out an album faster than the average bear, I can work out a special hourly rate for you. Artists with small or solo projects will be exceptions to my typical full-band, per-song rates.


Payment
Before I require any payment, a studio contract will be provided to you in advance to outline my services and requirements. A 50% deposit is required on the day recording begins. The rest of the payment is required after the artist(s) approve the final product. Master tracks will be provided via a master disc or private FTP download.


Hours
Once again, I'm willing to work with various schedules to ensure you an ideal recording experience. I take breaks as often as we need them, and work around the clock to meet extreme deadlines.



Recording Process Outline

DRUMS

I start most of my projects with drum tracking. Typically, the drummer and 1 or 2 of the guitarists will play through the songs. This process typically takes 1 or 2 days for a full-length album - depending on the abilities of the artist. After drums are recorded, I will convert the audio tracks into a digital file that is quantized (even without click-tracks!) and ready to be fine tuned - so if the drummer doesn't like his Yamaha birch snare drum, I can replace all of his snare hits with a brass Ludwig Black Beauty, or change the mallet on his bass pedal from felt to plastic, or tune his 18" floor tom up half a step, or change a fill - All AFTER the drums have been recorded. These are just a few examples of the many details we can tweak in post-production with the very latest in drum recording technology I use. Converting the drums to this format takes about a day per song, depending on the complexity of the tracks. All of the samples on this myspace page use these drum recording techniques.

GUITAR/BASS

Once the drums are converted, the rhythm guitars are recorded. Once rhythm guitars are recorded, we move on to bass guitar. Like the drums, we can tweak many aspects of the sound of the guitars. For example, I can change the rig through which the guitarist recorded, even AFTER the final takes are in place, so if he decides he doesn't like the sound of his JCM900 half stack, I could switch it to a Soldono, Diezel, Bogner, Engl, Mesa, etc. all WITHOUT having to re-record. I realize how bizarre this may sound to anyone with any knowledge of traditional recording processes and techniques, but it's something you just have to see and hear to believe. Recording guitars typically takes a work week to complete, but it depends very heavily on the complexity of the song and abilities of the artist. All of the samples on this myspace page use these guitar recording techniques.

VOCALS

(various other instruments may come before vocals, like keys, strings, brass, and other effects) Once everything has been recorded, a rough mix will be quickly assembled to give the vocalist the ideal environment in which to record at his or her best. The rough mix will take only a few minutes to prepare.

EDITING/MIXING/MASTERING

Once everything has been recorded, additional effects may be applied (samples, sick bassdrops, etc.). Fine editing to tighten up the performances will be applied next. Bands can reference other albums as a goal for me to match sonically. I have equipment that can analyze the EQ spectrum of any song/album and match it sonically very accurately. Mixing and mastering is typically done by me without the band's presence over the course of several weeks to allow my ears to take breaks from the mix, and then hear it again fresh after a few days away from it. Once I have a master that is well-balanced, I will send it to the band for any and all fine adjustments. The band will send me a list of changes that I will address immediately and then re-submit the updated mixes for final approval.

I believe very firmly that the happier you are with your mix, the more likely you will refer other people to me, so it is in both of our interests that your recordings sound the best possible. I am wholely commited to spend whatever time it takes to acheive that goal at no extra cost to you.

STUDIO RULES
-Smoking is prohibited by the land owner of the studio property I lease, which is effective both inside and outside. A smoking area is located just off the studio grounds. Beer is fine, but any rough-housing related or not related to intoxication is immediate grounds for termination of the recording contract without a refund. Food and drink is to be kept away from eqipment... obviously.

-Please keep visitors to an absolute minimum. People not involved in the recording process who are distracting those who are will be asked to leave - this may even include other band members!

-No loitering around the neighborhood. People tend to wander while talking outside on phones and such which seems to freak out the neigbors... haha. -There is no provided lodging at the studio. There are many local hotels in the area with extremely low rates. Just inquire if you are in need of lodging and I will give you the info.

-Please be respectful of the hours I set for our daily recording session. Don't come early, don't come late. I try to be as flexable as humanly possible, so please let me get some rest when our day is done.

-Enjoy yourself, and don't take anything too seriously. We're all here because of our love of music, so there's no reason we can't have a great time within the rules of the studio.

-Personally, I really hate to have to list all of these rules, but I've been doing this for a long time, and it just takes a few bad apples to ruin it for everybody. Please, just be considerate and respectful to me, my wife, my property and the neighbors and everything will be cool.



EQUIPMENT

Like I mentioned above, I specialize in the latest in industry-redfining software and techniques. The last 2 years have been especially ground-breaking for digital studio engineers like myself. I could basically list every drum kit, mic arrangement, amplifier, cabinet, effects pedal, rack effect and processor known to man under this section. In essence, if there is a sound you're after, I can emulate it.

I realize this is a pretty bold claim, that's why I'm willing (when time permits) to match-record certain songs to convince you of the limitless creativity today's technology can provide. Over the next few months, I plan to record and mimic various highly-regarded/high budget artist recordings to demonstrate the power of digital recording that wasn't even possible in 2006. In the end, I believe the songs on this page will continue to speak for themselves as my portfolio increases. I know any serious musician will have questions/doubts about this, so get a hold of me :)

Random Awesome! Recording Studio - Battlecross Drums