FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions
- What time does the studio open/close?
- How much will it cost to record my music?
- What styles of music do you record?
- Do you record rap/hiphop and do you provide beats?
- Do you provide/hire studio musicians?
- Can I hear a sample of some other bands you've recorded?
- Can I take a tour of the studio?
- Will you produce my record?
- I think I have a good voice and want to become a star, can you help me?
- How do I copyright my music?
- Are you hiring?
- Do you accept/review demo submissions?
What time does the studio open/close?
We are open by appointment only, so the studio's hours vary each day depending on when sessions are booked for that day. Recording sessions are available every day between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and must be booked in advance (no walk-ins). Rehearsal time is available every day between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m. (daytime hours may be available when no recording sessions are booked), and must be booked in advance as well.
To book recording or rehearsal time, please call us at (732) 606-1590. If you reach our answering machine, please leave a message - we do check messages regularly throughout the day and will return your call promptly. Generally, the best time to call and speak to a live person is after 5 p.m.
How much will it cost to record my music?
See our recording rates and information page for rate information. If you still have questions, please call us at (732) 606-1590.
What styles of music do you record?
We record the full spectrum of music styles, including rock, pop, metal, punk, jam bands, jazz, blues, hiphop, R&B, a cappella, instrumentals, solo vocalists, and everything in between.
Do you record rap/hiphop and do you provide
beats?
Yes and no - we do record rap and hiphop, but we do not provide beats. If you have your own completed background - whether live or in a keyboard or sampler - then we can transfer it to the multitrack machine, record your voice, and blend the two together. We do not arrange or loop beats.
Do you provide/hire studio musicians?
No, we do not provide studio musicians or any background music. You will need to provide all performers and/or background music. We do have a selection of basic sound effects (thunder, dogs barking, telephone ringing, etc.) if you need them. For vocalists who want to sing to an existing song, we suggest bringing in the karaoke music - Amazon.com has a great selection.
Can I hear a sample of some other bands
you've recorded?
Yes, we encourage you to come see our studio and hear some samples in person; we are open by appointment only, so please call us at (732) 606-1590 to schedule a tour. We do not provide samples online or give out sample CDs, though, out of respect for our bands' copyrights.
Can I take a tour of the studio?
Yes, we encourage you to come see our studio and hear some samples in person; we are open by appointment only, so please call us at (732) 606-1590 to schedule a tour.
We generally do not get involved with producing bands or their albums. Our engineer will work with you to help you achieve your desired sound, but the decisions regarding arrangement, performance, editing and mixing, etc. are made by you or someone you may hire as a producer. You will need to already know what kind of sound you are going for, what songs you are recording and how they will be performed; we will work our equipment's magic to help you achieve those goals.
I think I have a good voice and want to
become a star, can you help me?
Believe it or not, this is the number one question we receive by e-mail. We are in the business of recording music, so if the help you need involves recording a demo or CD duplication, we can definitely provide that service. However, if you are looking for advice, management, promotion, contacts, a producer, someone to tell you if you have any talent, etc., we are not that type of studio. Our advice for young singers who want to be the next Brittney Spears: get professional training. Find a professional vocal teacher who has experience and contacts in the industry, and who will be your advocate. You may end up on our doorstep to cut a demo after all, when you're ready.
Visit the U.S. Copyright Office Web site for complete information on copyrighting your music.
No, we are not hiring at this time, nor do we provide internships. We do keep a file of resumes for future employment, so if you'd like, you can fax us your resume with a cover letter to (732) 606-1591, but please do not expect a response. We do not accept resumes by e-mail and will not respond to any e-mails regarding employment.
If you are looking for a recording job or internship in NJ, a great place to start is the Aquarian (NJ's weekly music newspaper) - the Aquarian often has classifieds for audio engineers and interns. You can find the Aquarian at most Wawa stores. Another place to look is in the online classifieds and message board at jerseymusic.com. Good luck!
Do you accept/review demo submissions?
No, Metro Music does not solicit or accept demo submissions for review, and we do not forward demos to record labels, clubs or management agencies. We are in the business of recording music, so if you are looking to create a demo, we can help you achieve a great recording in our studio and provide you with copies of your demo through our CD duplication services.
If you are looking for places to submit your demo for reviews, gigs, record label consideration, etc., there are many resources on the Web. We suggest checking out jerseymusic.com and jerseyshows.com for listings of local record labels, promoters and clubs.