Dave Bass Studios




THE STUDIO:
Dave Bass Studios is a classic Analog-to-Digital Studio in a house on a lake full of wildlife -
a nature-lover's paradise just outside of the city;
40 minutes from Hartsfield Airport; 35 minutes from Buckhead & Downtown.

The focus of the studio is on capturing natural, acoustic sounds in great spaces.
While the industry is going "in the box" (i.e. electronic and digital) we are OUT of the box and loving it,
with a world-class selection of microphones and analog gear (digital too) that rivals any major studio
(at a much more affordable rate).

The owner, Dave Bass, was born in New York City, raised in the South (Florida and Atlanta),
moved to Hollywood for 15 years and just returned to Atlanta,
setting up a world-class audio (and video) studio and community center for creatives.

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THE ROOMS:
7 unique Recording Spaces, each with its own sonic signature
:

Room A - The Control Room, overlooking the lake:
Perfect for Vocals as well as Solo and Duo Instruments

Room B - The Main Room, also overlooking the lake:
Featuring a Grand Piano, Drums and Upright Bass.
Audio and Video for 4-7 piece ensembles, live-tracked or semi-seperated

Room C - The Staircase:
Under a 2-story raised ceiling, stair number 9 is the magic spot for "wetter" vocals and instruments

Room D - The Hallway & Foyer:
The long, narrow stretch between the foyer and Room C is great for guitar amps

Room E - The Garage:
WIth a Hammond Organ and Percussion; a "drier" sound than the other rooms

Room F - The Porch:
On the porch up over the lake sounds exquisite - as long as you don't mind the birds chirping in your track!

Room G - The Dock:
Future plan: A dock by the lake to have concerts for the neighbors and record weekday afternoons

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THE EQUIPMENT:
Over 75 world-class mics including Neumanns, AKG, Beyer, Shure, EV, custom ribbons and more.
Top-shelf rack gear including Neves, API, Avalon, custom pres, EQs, Verbs and vintage effects, many custom modded.
A sweet, discreet, British 32-channel board, customized by the great Jim Williams of Audio Upgrades.
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VIDEO:
All rooms are being set up with Video capabilities synched to audio.

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THE INSTRUMENTS:
We have a great selection of hand-picked instruments, acquired over years 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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THE TRAINING:
Blessed to live in Hollywood for 15 years, I befriended many world-class engineers
and received great tutoring from them, (two of whom have recently passed, RIP).
Together they worked with: Elvis, Marvin Gaye, The Wrecking Crew, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC,
Warren Zevon, Cannonball Adderly, Joe Sample, Michael Jackson and many, many more.
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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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MY HOURS:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
1-5 or 6-10
As a gigging musician, I try to avoid the potential gig days of Thurs-Sat, (and my Sundays are for G-d).
This is not to say I will not track on these days, but I will have to charge more to turn down performing opportunities.
A "half-day" is 4 hours. I usually do half-days to preserve both my ears and my sanity;
this is no reflection on your music, it's just that after about 4 hrs my audio choices start getting less trusthworthy, lol.
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MY RATES:
I am approx. $85/hr, give or take (see "Donation Day," below).
I generally book "Half-Days" of 6 hours for $500 - 4 hr of tracking and 2 for mixing & transfer
(see "Session Itinerary," below).
$75 Deposit and a simple agreement book the date;
the agreement states that you will credit the recording studio, yada, yada. Standard stuff.

I don't mind booking less than "Half-Days" - for instance,
if a player wants to lay down vocals or an instrument over a pre-existing rhythm section track -
but I can't turn down full sessions or gigs for an hour or two;
I would have to slide you in when I have nothing else booked, and you'll have to be flexible.
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RESCHEDULING & CANCELLATION - MINE:
As a gigging musician, sometimes I get called for a gig that pays more than a recording date -
(it's not often but it's possible)!
In this case, I will call you to discuss.

If you have booked multiple days in a row or are a visiting artist,
I will likely not even consider the gig.
If we agree I should take the gig, I will reschedule the recording and nothing is lost.
If we can't reschedule, I will refund your deposit.
This is why I strongly suggest staying away from Thur, Fri and Sat for recording.

RESCHEDULING & CANCELLATION - MINE:
If you cancel the recording session before the grace period, the deposit is lost:
For a Mon-Wed session, I need one week's notice (7 days);
For Thur-Sun sessions (gig days) - I need two week's notice (14 days).

The reason for this is I typically book gigs Thur-Sun - and can get called weeks or months in advance.
Once you have booked your time, I typically turn down all gigs.
However, if you cancel your session too soon for me to get another session or a gig,
I'm sitting on my butt on a gig day. And that's not very fair to me, is it?
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DONATION DAY!:
I do something quite unique in this studio to help musicians:
I offer one 4-hour session per month for whatever an artist can afford.
Spaces are reserved with a small deposit to insure you will not be a no-show.
This is only for CLIENT-PAID sessions only!! NO major labels or commercial releases.
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PAYING IT FORWARD:
If you want to support Donation Day with a donation of your own,
you can Zelle me using my email address:
Email

I will put up a webpage so the public can track these donations.
Donations will be applied however you specify:
To Donation Day, studio maintenance, new equipment, etc.
If you wish to remain anonymous, tell me and I'll list you as "anon."
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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PAYMENT:
I accept Pictures of Dead Presidents (i.e. cash). This is always my preferred method.
Second to cash I accept Zelle; I am registered under my Email, not my phone number.
Third and under duress, I accept Paypal, but I don't like supporting them for a number of reasons.
I do not accept any other forms of payment at this time,
(so please don't give me a lecture on why your payment method is best and I must get it), lol.

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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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IN SUMMARY:
I run a one-of-a-kind studio in a beautiful, natural setting by a lake with lots of lovery critters!
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

 




The view from Room A, in front of the Control Room
The lake has Canadian Geese that feed from my hand;
the porch is continually visited by squirrels, chipmunks and many species of birds!



Classic Microphones from the 60's to the present



Getting the right Tools on a Sound Source is paramount


Compressors, EQs, Verbs, Effects and more...



The Microphone Locker
World-class Vintage and Modern Condensers, Ribbons and Dynamics
(The cabinet is a work-in-progress)





A wonderful, discreet, British 32-channel board, customized by the great Jim Williams of Audio Upgrades


FOR VISITING ARTISTS:

Two beautiful bedrooms upstairs with a shared full bath,
a Living Room with pull-out sofa & half-bath,
Bunk beds in the garage, sharing the half-bath downstairs.


Upstairs Bedroom #1

The Living Room
(Before major upgrades & Piano)

 


REFERENCES

"I recently had the privilege of recording multiple songs at Dave Bass’s home studio.
I was thrilled to be able to record using a Neumann mic along with other top-notch equipment to get a rich, round sound.
Dave worked quickly to set up for my session and we got right to work.

I am a singer-songwriter and wanted to capture originals in the simplest form.
I have done this a few other times at other studios. The difference this time was how well Dave understood the sound and set-up that would make the most of this “one-take” approach.

Dave appears to be somewhat of an “engineering nerd”, in the best sense of the word!
He genuinely gets excited about the many facets of the process.
What makes this great from the songwriter’s perspective is how Dave, as a performing artist, songwriter and songwriting teacher himself, supports the artist with his expertise.
In other words, he shares what the artist needs to know in order to make the most of their session,
in language that is interesting and not overwhelming.

This recording experience felt very supportive.
For me, Dave provided the perfect balance of professionalism and friendliness.
I was able to relax, having natural light, a kitchen nearby and a back window facing a lake with geese and songbirds;
artistic, homey touches about, while I worked to fully engage with the songs as I recorded.

Thank you, Dave!
I look forward to seeing your vision of an intimate venue for songwriters and live recording sessions come to life.
I will be back!”
March 29, 2025, Teel Montague, teelmontague.com

"Working with Dave elevated my song from average bedroom music to legit world-class sounds!"
William, 2020; Pop-rock band from Brooklyn
Recorded Saxes, Clarinets & Flutes for Album

"I hired Dave to perform soprano fills and solos on my singer/songwriter jazz/pop track; it is a fantastic take.
He surfs in and out of key with various "blue notes" that really hit home for the perfect sound I wanted.
Furthermore, he composed a multi-horn intro for my song that gave me the transformative element I didn't know to look for.
I highly recommend Dave and will use him for all of my horn parts in the future."
Greg B., 2020; Sophisticated Pop
Recorded: Soprano Sax fills behind vocal; Soprano Sax solo; Sax Quartet intro (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bari)

"Dave put his horn on a Christmas present for my wife and turned the song into a thing of beauty.
I can't recommend him highly enough!"
John Rhys, 2019; Producer, Writer, Publisher and former owner of Hollywood Central studios

"Dave's flute on two of my original songs resulted in recordings that I am quite proud of.
I strongly recommend Dave to songwriters, solo performers or music groups
who want that beautiful wind or brass instrument sound to their recordings."
Bill K., 2013, Acoustic Rock

"Dave's studio is incredible.
Top-notch equipment, top-notch sound, top-notch engineering by a top-notch musician."
B. Original, D.J. and producer

"The tracking was superb, and the lines and arrangement you crafted fit well into everything."
Robert, Hollywood Mixing Engineer for music, movies, TV & commercials

"I am knocked out by your production work; very tasty, especially that nice solo.
In fact, all the instrumental work is impressive! Thanks for doing such a terrific job on my song."
Roger Schore, NYC songwriter

"I would not hesitate to hire Dave as a musical director, singer, player, copyist or recording engineer and producer."
Chet; Guitarist and Bandleader

"I think we scored big; you did a great job."
Ray Jessel, songwriter (Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, Sammy Davis Jr., Broadway, TV; finalist for America's Got Talent
Recorded music for San Francisco Fringe Festival

"Dave is one of the most gifted and diverse musical artists I know.
He provides tremendous support and direction to artists trying to get their projects off the ground."
Viva, Vocalist, Bandleader and Educator

"I just want to let you know how much I appreciate your Herculean effort, your musicality and your great nature."
Willie A., Composer (American Gangster), Producer (Leonard Cohen)
Arranged and recorded Saxes for song written for Anjanie by Leonard Cohen

"You are the hardest working man in show biz."
Harvey Cooper, Sr. Vice-President, 20th Century Fox Records (1977-1980)

And many more...



CONTACT:


Email Me


Thanks and G-d bless
(The missing vowel is an old tradition of respect),
Dave



Copyright © 2025 Dave Bass, All Rights Reserved