Finding the Perfect Mix at R.J. RECORDINGS

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Finding the Perfect Mix at
R.J. RECORDINGS

By Robert E. Martin

Roger Briggs & Robert Strope behind the boards at RJ Recording

When it comes to professional audio & visual recording, the number
of studios to choose from has proliferated in recent years with the
rapidity of a rabbit dropping eggs on Easter Sunday, with many colors,
sizes, and shapes to select from, largely due to the cost of pro tools &
equipment dropping so dramatically.

As with any competitive field, the 'cream' tends to rise to the top, and in
the Mid-Michigan area one of the more spacious, comfortable, and top-notch
operations available exists in the form of R.J. Recordings, located at 600
Saginaw St. in Bay City.

The brainchild of partners Robert Strope, Roger Briggs and Richard
McKinley; one of the key distinguishing factors that separate their studio
from the crowd is the 37 years collective experience of the key engineers.

"Music has played a significant part in my life ever since I bought my
first 45 record of Clyde McPhatter in 1963," notes Robert. "Not long after
I progressed from playing records to making music, I felt a desire to
preserve that music on tape. Over time I graduated from reel-to-reels and
stereo cassette recorders to multi tracks, and finally to the
state-of-the-art digital gear we have today."

Back in 1973 Robert started in the recording business as an audio video
service technician. "As I grew in the business I started getting into doing
concern sound and recording for community organizations, and as time went
by I got into commercial recording, which gave me the opportunity to build
the studio," continues Robert.

"RJ Recordings started six years ago in Saginaw and then 4 years ago in Bay
City with a smaller studio. Two years ago we built the larger one, which is
located next to The Sound Stage and is a separate business, but grew from
that experience."

Roger tests a microphone in the spacious studio at RJ Recording

As Technical Director for Bay City's Art Council since 1993, Robert has broaden his expertise with the privilege of mixing live concerts for local, national, and international musical & performing arts groups, which has added to his diversity and augmented his ability to tackle a wide variety of projects.

Another distinguishing factor that separates R.J. Recordings from the crowd is the comfortable & spacious nature of their studio. "We've got a facility that can accommodate large groups such as choirs or small orchestras," he notes. "Plus we have a large convenient garage to accommodate delivery trucks, so we can move in a grand piano, if need be, with relative ease. This is not a 'garage' studio. It's a professional setting with the equipment to produce top quality music."

Apart from the 'Cool Edit' Pro software that allows Robert and Roger the
ability to become meticulous and careful in their editing, the facility
also sports Behringer mixers, Alesis, Onkyo and Foster recorders, Samson
amplifiers, and an entire litany of high-end gear.

R.J. Recordings is also out of the few outfits in the area properly suited
to handle live remote recordings.  "We'll take all the equipment we need to
do anywhere from two to eight track recording," notes Roger. "We've done a
lot of live recording for several churches in the area that wish to pick up
the ambiance of sound produced in their church. In fact, we just did a
Christmas CD that was recorded at First Presbyterian on an acoustic Baldwin
piano. We have the equipment and capabilities to pick up exactly what the
client is looking for."

Chasing to the 'bottom line', in terms of pricing R.J. Recordings is
remarkably competitive. "Given this area and what we have to offer, if
vocalist for example were to bring a demo in and wish to record, our rate
is only $50.00 per hour.  If a band comes in with instruments, the rate is
$100.00 per hour, which is very competitive for Flint, Bay City, Detroit,
and the mid-Michigan area in general," notes Robert. "Plus, we aren't
operating out of our home or without experience."

"We offer a good facility for that type of rate," interjects Roger." And
people don't have to feel nervous about it. We want our customers to feel
relaxed and try to convey that to them by making them feel comfortable the
minute they walk in the door.  We try to advise them and let them have fun
with their project."

"Currently we're working on a project for Hoolie," notes Robert, "which is
the second CD we've recorded with them and will probably end up with 12 to
13 songs. The total amount of time will probably average out to 20 or 30
hours, but that's for recording 8 to 12 tracks per song. Some of the
members will come in at different times and lay down tracks, and then we
have to mix the project down. Of course, this is with a lot of instruments
and working with complex texture to the material."

"Not every project is that complex," adds Roger. "A few years ago we had a
rock group record with us that were very good and well prepared and in six
hours one afternoon we recorded 10 of their songs that were ready for
mixing, so the overall price will vary depending on the group, how good
they are, and what kind of results they are looking for."

Both Robert & Roger agree that one of the common mistakes people do when
going into a recording project is not being adequately prepared.  "The
studio is no place to rehearse," emphasizes Roger. "Many people unfamiliar
with the process will figure they can record four or five songs in an hour
of time, but then you have to add the editing and mixing time in, so
artists need to know this going into a project."

"The actual process of recording is so creative that it's enjoyable,"
states Robert. "Energy feeds on the process, especially when working with
performers and groups in a live setting. The 'mix' is the whole thing and
if you have the equipment to do it properly it's like hitting the perfect
pitch or the perfect golf shot. You feel it. It's enjoyable."

In terms of CD pressing RJ Recordings can handle orders of 500 units or
less in-house, whereas larger orders are 'jobbed-out'. The business also
handles a lot of commercial work such as radio and TV advertising and
editing.

With the proliferation of product evolution, do Robert and Roger make it a
point to routinely upgrade their equipment?

"We certainly could, but what we have right now works very well," answers
Robert. "For example, we waited two years to purchase the right digital
port. We had an opportunity to get into a Roland deck, but it wasn't what
we were looking for. We were looking for a more full version of recording
capability than what Roland offered. At that time what was available was
too expensive and there wasn't much out there, so we waited a few years an
opted for exactly what we were looking for when it became available on the
market."

"A lot of studios have popped up relatively recently," concludes Roger,"
and like Bob said, most of them are out of homes set in a basement. People
need to remember they get what they pay for. The bottom line is that we
offer a facility that will get more professional results and achieve a
higher level of satisfaction in a studio atmosphere."

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