Can we get a tour of the studio or can we meet Mat to discuss a record?
Of course! Call (410-235-0898) or contact us. Sometimes we can schedule that day, sometimes a week or so away. It depends on the projects we are working on.

I recorded an album at another studio or in my basement, can you mix it?
Absolutely! Contact us and we can talk about your timeline and budget. Be sure to save your stems as continuous WAV or AIFF files and ensure that they all start at 00:00:00. This will allow for properly aligned tracks when imported. If you’re working in Logic this isn’t an issue, just copy over all the folders. Please be sure that all tracks are properly labeled. You can provide a DVD, HD or upload to Dropbox.

Are you open on the weekends?
Of course. However, Mat’s weekends can be booked up several months in advance.

Do you have off-street parking?
After 5p during the week and on the weekends there is a private parking lot available to artists. Street parking is available all other times.

Do you have a piano?
We do! We have a 1982 Young Chang U-131 52″ Upright Piano. We regularly tune it. However, contact us a few weeks prior to your session if you require a special tuning.

Do you have X, Y or Z at the studio?
Please take a look at our equipment list. We have a bunch of vintage keyboards, amps, drum kits and other various sundries. Sometimes our equipment is out on loan, so if there is something specific you are interested in, please get with us a few weeks prior to your sessions to ensure we can have it ready.

Do you do voiceovers, jingles, video editing, music for film or radio spots?
Yes, we do voiceovers, jingles, radio spots and music for film. Contact us for rates. We do not do video editing but we can recommend a video house and work in conjunction with them.

What is your cancelation policy?
If you must cancel your session, please contact us as soon as possible or at least two weeks prior. If you cancel after that date, your deposit is not refundable.

Is Mobtown non-smoking?
Yes. You may smoke cigarettes outside of the building. Smoking “other stuff” is not allowed due to liability/impoundment issues and an imbalance of priorities in our government.

Do you backup your projects?
We backup to our own hard drives as long as a project is in progress, but we can not guarantee the safety of your recordings. We strongly encourage you bring your own hard drive to back up your project. Please bring one with you.

Does Mobtown hire engineers or assistants?
No. The engineers all work freelance, many times bringing in their own work. There are no assistant, runner or tape op jobs available. But if you are a competent engineer who can bring in your own sessions please contact us!

Are you currently accepting interns or hiring?
No. Not at this time. If you’re incredibly motivated, feel free to send a note with samples of your work.

What external hard drives do you recommend?
We like the OWC Mercury Elite and OWC Mercury On-The-Go USB/Firewire drives.

What is a producer?
Generally, a producer will oversee the recording sessions, coach and guide the musicians, organize and schedule production budget and resources, and supervise the recording, mixing and mastering processes. They will see your project through to completion and help you get the best takes. A producer, if anything, will raise the quality of the project. */ ?>

What is a co-producer?
A co-producer typically reports to the producer and is someone who will engineer your album and make suggestions and subjective comments in order for you to make the best recording possible. They will be active in assessing takes and suggesting sounds, suggesting different arrangements. */ ?>

What is an engineer?
An engineer is someone that knows how to operate the equipment in the studio, acquire sounds and accommodate the requests of the artist and producer. */ ?>

Do you provide tape transfer or CD duplication services?
Technically, yes. But it’s not cost effective for us. You are better off working with a company that solely works in duplication. We recommend Morphius, here in Baltimore, Disc Makers and Furnace CD. */ ?>

What ¼” analog tape do you recommend?
RMGI (Emtec) 911 or Ampex/Quantegy 456. We like to order from National Recording Supplies.

Do you have beats?
We have a large selections of drum tracks, samples, and sound effects. But remember that building up tracks is going to take time and creativity. There are no “walk in and sing and walk out with a CD” services available. We do however work with many hip hop producers and can work with your budget.

What is mastering?
Mastering is the final creative process during which the source material is processed using equalization, compression, limiting, noise reduction and other processes. This is the process in which all the songs of a record become a album. Subsequently, it is rendered to a medium such as CD, DVD or analog tape. The mastered material is also put in the proper order at this stage. More tasks such as editing, pre-gapping, leveling, fading in and out, noise reduction and other signal restoration and enhancement processes can be applied at this stage.

Do you provide mastering services?
Yes, and we take special pride in our mastering services.
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I’ve seen cheaper studios online, why should we come to Mobtown Studios to record?
World-class, well-maintained gear, tuned rooms specifically designed for recording music, experienced professional engineers, a microphone closet to die for, tubes, and a welcoming, convenient, laid-back atmosphere for making records. You may think by paying a lower rate somewhere else that it’s cheaper, but we can often achieve better results more quickly (aka–more cheaply). */ ?>

Do you have a drum kit?
Yes. Three, in fact. A 1965 Slingerland, a 1973 Ludwig Vistalite (with a 6.5×14″ Supraphonic snare) and a Yamaha Manu Katché Hipgig. When booking time, please let us know if you will be tracking with the drum kit so we can make sure the heads are in good shape and tuned. We also have a bunch of vintage K and A Zildjian cymbals as well as various snare drums. */ ?>

Do you have guitars or amps?
We have a bunch of vintage and unique guitars and amps. Check out our list of equipment for more details. When booking time, please let us know if you will be tracking with any of our instruments. */ ?>

Do you have an organ?
We sure do. It’s a vintage 1970s Hammond organ with a Leslie Cabinet. We also have various keyboards (Farfisa, Rhodes), vintage analog synthesizers (Roland Jupiter 6, Juno 106) and drum machines (Roland CR8000, Linn Drum). When booking time, please let us know if you will be tracking with any keyboards as we often loan them out. */ ?>

Do you have a list of all your equipment?
We sure do.

Does the studio rental include an engineer?
Yes, one engineer is included in the studio rental.

How long will it take to record my project?
The simple answer is that every record is different and that there is no simple answer. However, we’ve been doing this a long time, so after our initial meeting we can gauge your expectations and production and will give you a general idea.

How can we save money in the studio?
Practice! Practice! Practice! The more rehearsed you are, the more likely you’ll be able to nail it in fewer takes. Be sure to get plenty of rest prior to your sessions and be mindful of what you are eating. If you eat sluggish food you will have a sluggish mind.

Can we come in the night before to set up?
No. Sessions begin at the time you schedule them. Much of the engineering work begins as you start setting up.

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