Dave Bass Studios is a fully-equipped, classic Analog-to-Digital Studio.
We specialize in acoustic-based music such as:
jazz, blues, Brazilian and other Latin styles, folk, blugrass, country, classic pop, theater, classical and more.
We steer
away from the "heavier" styles such as rap, hard rock, metal and punk.
We have a large selection of world-class microphones and analog gear that rivals major studios.
We have
great sounding spaces, but lean towards 'live' recordings with overdubs as necessary.
We don't like pitch-shift, we don't like time-shift and we absolutely hate AI.
We are a real studio for real musicians who play real instruments in real time.
The studio is located
in a house on a beautiful lake full of wildlife -
a nature-lover's paradise just a half hour outside of the city:
40 minutes from Hartsfield Airport
35 minutes from Buckhead or Downtown
and 20 mminutes from Marietta Square
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TIME & ATTENTION TO DETAIL:
Unlike some musicians who reluctantly record because they have to, I genuinely love the art of recording.
I have spent many sleepless nights in Hollywood, into the wee hours of the morning,
multi-tracking both myself and other artists.
I love every second of the process.
I come from a live jazz gigging background;
if you can't play it on the bandstand, you can't play it!
And this is good - it gives you chops.
But recording is another thing altogether.
Recording allows us to slow down time and carefully select our sounds and what we want to say -
to paint on a canvas something as close as possible to we can imagine in our mind.
This isn't something merely special - it's a miracle.
Because sound, by its very nature, is impermanent.
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I built my first, small studio in 2005.
Early on I became fascinated by how different pieces of equipment affected my sound;
sometimes the variations were subtle, sometimes severe.
I have learned over time that they ALL make a difference.
In addition to thousands of hours of tracking,
I have also made hundreds of comparison tests of equipment, owned and borrowed.
As a result, I know many pieces of gear better than most;
I can hear an artist and immediately "hear" certain mics and preamps on their sound.
My goal is to find the tools on hand that best capture YOU.
I usually search for options;
someting warm, something agressive and something detailed and spacious.
This gives me a palette of sonic options for various tracks.
Few studios pay this much attention to detail.
I do, because I know - as an artist - that sound is everything.
A good engineer does not "fix it in the mix" -
A good engineer gets it nearly perfect in the tracking.
That's what I aim for.
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THE SPACE:
We have seven unique spaces, each with its own sonic signature:
Space A
The Control Room, overlooking the lake
Great for Vocals and Solo Instruments
Space B
The Main Room, also overlooking the lake
Featuring a (soon-to-be) Grand Piano, Drums and Upright Bass.
Space for 4-7 piece ensembles, semi-separated and live-tracked
Video capability as well; four full perspectives
Space C
The Staircase
The middle of the staircase is a special spot acoustically, under a 2-story raised ceiling
A "wet" sonic signature; great for certain vocals and instruments
Space D
T
he Hallway & Foyer
Long, narrow hallways are perfect for guitar amps
Space E
The Garage
(not open yet)
A "drier" sound than the other rooms
WIth a Hammond Organ and Percussion
Space F
The Porch
You can't beat the vibes - a porch overlooking a beautiful lake.
Whether during the day or night, it's magical.
The acoustics are great, with one caveat - at times, the wildlife is noisy.
If you want a recording with the sound of nature, it's perfect.
If you want the ambience of nature but total quiet, you'll have to be patient when you record and duck the sounds!
Space G
Dock by the Lake
(not open yet)
In the future, I hope to build a dock by the lake big enough to hold a nice sized band.
Best for weekday afternoon recordings
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EQUIPMENT:
Nearly 100 world-class microphones; Condensers, Ribbons and Dynamics:
Neumanns, AKG, Beyer, Shure, Electro-Voice, custom RCA-type ribbons and more.
Top-shelf pre-amps and rack gear including:
Great Pres: Neves, API, Avalon and custom pres;
EQs, Verbs and vintage effects (many custom modded).
A British 32-channel discreet board, customized by the great Jim Williams of Audio Upgrades.________________________________________
VIDEO:
All rooms are being set up with Video capabilities synched to audio.
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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS:
I have a TON of hand-picked instruments I have carefully selected from decades of gigging & recording:
3 Drum Kits - 18", 20" & 22" Kicks
Vintage and Modern Cymbals; Zildjian, Istanbul, Bosporus, Sabian, etc.
Basses: Upright Bass, P Bass, Short-scale bass w/flats
Guitars: Acoustics (Taylor, Alvarez); Hollow-body (335), Solids (Strat, Tele) -
and a Lap Steel with a howl like a warewolf
Baldwin Grand Piano, American made, lovingly maintained, beautiful, warm sound
Weighted Keyboard with Plug-Ins
Saxophones, Flutes & Clarinets galore
Percussion; Brazilian and African
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MY TRAINING:
I was born in New York City where my father was a jazz and R&B guitarist.
We briefly moved to Florida when I was a kid,
then to Atlanta where I started my professional musical career in my teens.
In 2008, I moved to Hollywood for 15 years, returning to Atlanta in 2023 after my mother's passing.
Although Hollywood was tough, it was great for one thing:
home to some of the greatest recording engineers the world over.
I had the great blessing and privilege to call some of them friends and mentors;
world-class engineers who worked with: Elvis, Marvin Gaye, the "wrecking crew," The Rolling Stones, AC/DC,
Warren Zevon, Cannonball Adderly, Joe Sample, Michael Jackson and many other artists.
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MY MUSICAL FOCUS:
As a pro Jazz musician, my focus has always been acoustic music that is creative and flexible.
I'm not into "beats" or all-electronic "in the box"
sounds (although I do love great synth work)!
The primary focus of my studio is acoustic-based music, the likes of which include:
Jazz, Blues, R&B, Soul, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Country, Latin, Brazilian, Theater & Classical.
I also love lightly-amplified Rock and Intelligent Pop (ala Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder) etc.
I typically do NOT track the rhythm sections of the louder genres such as Hard Rock, Metal, Punk or Rap -
but I DO supply individual tracks for these styles on Vocals, Horns, Piano, Organ, Percussion, etc.
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MY RECORDING PHILOSOPHY:
GET IT RIGHT IN THE TRACKING!
I don't believe in "fix it in the mix" - that's just lazy or incompetent engineering.
I capture real musicians playing real instruments in real acoustic spaces.
My goal is to capture the pure sound of your instruments so well,
a mixing engineer hardly has to touch a knob (which is what some of them call to tell me).
I take a little time at the beginning of each session to match the right mic to the musician and the instrument.
I don't like using auto-tune or time-shift or other gimmics -
if a phrase doesn't cut it, I ask the artist to cut it again!
The result is honest music, captured in a bit of a larger-than-life picture.
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STUDIO HOURS:
Monday - Thursday, 1pm-10pm
As a gigging musician, I try to avoid recording on the potential gig days of Fri & Sat,
(and I try to reserve my Sundays for God).
Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs are generally my best recording days.
This is not to say I will not track on these days - just depends on my schedule;
if Britney Spears wants to come in on a Saturday and cook me lasagna, I'll probably open for her.________________________________________
RATE:
$75/hr.
Minimum 2 hours: $150
A "Half-Day" of 4 hours is $300, plus a little time for mixing & transfer
$75 Deposit books the date, Zelle, PayPal or Cash.
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RESCHEDULING & CANCELLATION:
If possible, please give 3 days notice to reschedule.
When you schedule, I turn other things down.
Stuff happens though - on both ends - so I'm happy to reschedule, as our calendars synch.
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CHARITY:
I love to help people in need.
If you are struggling financially and need a recording to get more gigs, please let me know.
I will try to work something out with you (and happy to keep it on the low-down if you don't want it known).
This offer is only for client-paid sessions; no label or commercial releases, etc.
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PAYING IT FORWARD:
If you want to support the Studio with a donation of your own,
we will be happy to accept and put it to good use.
You can Zelle me using my email address:
Email
If you wish to remain anonymous, please tell me.
Thank you for your support.
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PAYMENT:
Pictures of Dead Presidents (i.e. cash) is always my preferred method.
I also accept Zelle - registered under my Email, NOT my phone number.
I can also accept Paypal, but I don't like supporting them for a number of reasons.
I do not accept other forms of payment at this time, but may in the near future.
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SESSION ITINERARY:
I generally book $500 for 6 hr. of my work, broken down as such:
If you are scheduled from 6-10:
You show up at 5:30, get set up and let me make you a cup of tea.
At 6 you're in place and we run some mic tests to see what best suits you and your instrument(s).
At 6:30 we start tracking.
We take a 5-minute bathroom/stretch break every hour or whenever we need.
We' track 'til 10 - This gives you 3.5 hrs of tracking to do whatever you like.
(NOTE: No naked dancing in the studio. Unless you win a Grammy).
Then you leave and I chill.
But my work isn't over!
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MIXING:
I come back the next day or so, with fresh ears, and do a rough "Mix" -
This includes trimming the beginning and ending of takes to cut out any talking or dead space,
Adding fades at the ends where needed,
Seamlessly merging any splices that were done in the recording session,
Adjusting volume levels between tracks, as needed,
Adjusting EQs, Compression, Limiting, Reverbs and Effects, as needed.
This usually takes about half as long as the session itself -
So for every 4 hr session, it takes about 2 hours for the first Rough Mix.
NOTE: If I have gigs or other commitments after the Tracking Session,
it may be days before I can come back and Mix -
Patience is required.
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FILE TRANSFERS:
I then upload the First Mix of high-resolution .wav files to a private web page, just for you;
I don't mess with email (files too big) or 3rd-party transfer sites (no privacy).
You can download all your files from your personal page, in high-resolution.
Vinyl transfers are a whole 'nuther story I won't get into here.
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RE-MIXES:
I generally only charge clients for a first spin at the material (First Mix),
but I realize multiple Mixes are often the key to success.
I run all Mixes at the same rate as my Tracking: $100/hr.
I can give you an estimate of how much time I need for a Second Mix after I do the First.
ALL Mixes are kept on your private page, so you can compare them;
I only scrap them when you tell me to,
(and even then, I tend to let them sit on the server forever).
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TIME MANAGEMENT - YOURS:
If you are late or unprepared, it will eat into your tracking time.
Don't get mad at me; I'm not your mother.
Instead, arrive early and be prepared!
If for some reason I am late or unprepared, I will credit you the time, either then or later.
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ADDING MY TALENT TO YOUR TRACKS:
I am happy to add any of my multi-instrumental and vocal capabilities to your tracks.
I am $100/hr, same as my engineering fee.
If I am recording separate from your session, my time is only charged once (one $100/hr. fee);
If I am tracking your session while recording myself at the same time, It's $100 + $100, for my sanity.
I have added tracks to many Client's works and in some cases, provided the entire rhythm section myself.
I can add:
Vocals, Background Vocals, Saxes (Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Bari), Flutes, Native Flutes,
Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Basses, Drums, Glockenspeil and Percussion.
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OVERNIGHT STAYS:
I will eventually have four separate spaces for overnight guests:
Two furnished bedrooms and one full bath upstairs
A pull-out couch/daybed in Studio B (the big room), and
A set of bunk beds in the garage.
Both the couch and garage would use the downstairs half-bath.
I have not figured out prices for the above.
For now, if someone books three days in a row (Mon-Wed) I will throw in the rooms.
If this gets to be a PITA, I will charge extra for the rooms in the future,
but let's try this for now and see how it works.
P.S. No stealing my towels! - (or anything else, for that matter).
Come to think of it, I will probably require a deposit for Overnighters.
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I run a one-of-a-kind studio in a beautiful, natural setting by a lake with lots of critters and wildlife.
I focus on Acoustic music and musicians who can actually play their instruments - well.
I track Part-Time so you are never a number here -
I get to give my Clients unparalleled, detailed attention.
All I ask in return is that you be chill, pleasant, open-minded, relaxed, prepared and on time.
And no drugs or smoking on the premisis - no exceptions.
Leave the egos and the attitudes at the door, come in to a space full of G-d and nature and make some great music.
Then, if you feel like you still need them,
you can pick up your ego and attitude on the way out the door and take them with you.
: )
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TO BOOK:
Email me
Leave your number for the fastest response.
(Your info is never sold or shared)
Thanks and G-d bless
(The missing vowel is an ancient tradition of respect),
Dave
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