Frequently asked questions

+ Why choose 12TH ST Sound?

There are an overwhelming number of recording studios out there, each claiming to provide the best product, vibe, and client experience. So, what makes us the choice for you?

Simply put, we provide the value and bang-for-your-buck only a small boutique studio can. We have the personnel and technology to make your next project stand alongside the “best of the best” at rates independent artists, labels, and filmmakers can afford. That means your project sounds better, for less. Period.

90% of our clientele are returning customers or have otherwise been a part of a session with us prior to their own booking. We believe in doing our part to build a strong music community. Our favourite pastimes are cultivating long-term working relationships and watching our clients’ careers blossom!

We’re excited you’ve discovered us, too, and we know our first project together will be incredible. The best part, though? Our second (and third) one will be even better.

+ How do I book recording time?

To get started, simply hit the Book Now button and fill out the form. The more detail, the better; telling us a little bit about yourself goes a long way to helping us serve you and your project best.

Once we've received your form, we'll book a consultation with you via phone or email where we discuss your project in detail and how we can help make it the best it can be. While we try our best to respond in 24 hours or less wherever possible, often we are all-encompassed serving other clients in the studio, so we kindly ask you please allow us 3-5 business days to get back to you!

If you choose to book with us, we'll invoice you and request a 50% non-refundable deposit, paid via eTransfer or cash.

+ What are your rates?

Our committment to you is to offer great value and professional services. We want your business, and thus our pricing structure is one of the most competitive in Western Canada.

Every project is unique, though, and thus we choose not to post "one size fits all" rates on our website with the exception of basic hourly & day rates, which are as follows:

DAILY

$450 per day (8h), includes engineer.

Overtime to be charged at regular hourly rate below.

HOURLY

$65 per hour, includes engineer.

In all cases, we request a minimum four hour booking.

If your project requires more than just basic recording time (i.e. a producer, mix engineer, session musicians, etc.) please get in touch by clicking the Book Now button at the top of this page (or at the bottom of the navigation menu if you're on mobile) so we can best serve you!

+ How long is a session?

We kindly request a minimum 4 hour booking for any session.

Our "day rates" include 8 hours of studio time, and are typically scheduled from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.

+ How far ahead should I book?

If you're reading this, there's no better time than now! We typically book most sessions 3-4 weeks in advance. During our busy season, booking can sometimes take place 6-8 weeks in advance or more.

Why do we suggest booking well in advance? Recording sessions take mental, emotional, and physical preparation, and every artist's requirements are unique. We've found the best results are always acheived after having a thorough consultation that sometimes can span several phone calls or emails before your session actually occurs.

If you're reaching out looking for a session "right now" or even "tonight", we simply aren't set up for success to provide the best service to you.

+ I recorded elsewhere. Could you mix?

Yes, we'd be happy to! This is one of the most common requests we get. If you're interested in having us mix something you've recorded elsewhere, please click Book Now at the top of this page (or at the bottom of the navigation menu if you're on mobile) and tell us a little bit more about what you have in mind.

We will always request to hear an existing rough mix before accepting a mix recorded outside our studio, and reserve the right to pass on a project if it violates our policies, or if we feel it is unlikely to accurately reflect the quality of mixing services we offer.

We also strongly recommend you read this article on how to prepare your tracks for a professional mix before sending us any files.

+ Do you offer mastering?

We prefer to not offer mastering services unless there are severe budget restrictions in projects we've already tracked and/or mixed.

We strongly recommend all of our clients visit Andrew Downton at Railtown Mastering in Vancouver. An overwhelming majority of our clients in the past couple of years have taken our work to Railtown, and we love their masters!

Of course, we're more than happy to help coordinate file delivery, and love to be involved in the master review process whenever possible.

+ Do you provide musicians?

While musicians are not automatically included with your session, we have an ever-growing network of professional session musicians available for hire.

These professionals perform every instrument you could possibly imagine: from drums, bass, guitar, and keys to strings, brass, and beyond.

Let us know what you need and we will be happy to coordinate booking them for you.

+ Do you provide instruments?

All items on our gear list are available for use free-of-charge with a few small exceptions.

• The studio upright piano must be tuned prior to use. We charge market value for tuning services + one hour studio time for each tuning. Typically, that totals to just over $200, but rates vary, especially on short notice!
• If you damage or break any drumheads during your session, you will be charged a minimum $50 fee for supplies and replacement time.
• Misuse of equipment will absolutely not be tolerated and will result in your session ending immediately with no refund, in addition to damages incurred.

+ What if I'm not a musician?

Don't worry, we can help! We'd love to work on your ADR, podcast, audiobook reading, and dialog editing projects, too.

Head over to our Book Now button at the top of the page (or at the bottom of the navigation menu if you're on mobile) to tell us more about your project.

+ Can the studio be rented for filming?

Of course! At 12TH ST Sound, we've hosted multiple photoshoots, livestreams, and live music videos. To see what our space looks like on film, head over to the Portfolio page.

Our network also spans a ton of incredibly talented photographers, filmmakers, and camera operators.

Head over to our Book Now button at the top of the page (or at the bottom of the navigation menu if you're on mobile) to tell us more about your project and how we can help.

+ Who takes your in-studio photos?

Our very own Anthony Cenerini (producer, senior engineer) is also a hobbyist photographer, and loves to keep his camera around for almost every seession.

We always ask your permission before taking photos and — should you choose to allow it — photos from your session are provided at no additional charge, so long as you also allow us to use them for our own purposes (this website, social media, etc).

+ Where do I park?

There are typically one or two spots available in the studio parking lot for unloading. Please be careful as the lot is a bit challenging to navigate for larger vehicles and we do not assume responsiblity for damage to vehicles on the lot. There is also free two-hour parking on 12th Street.

All of that said, your best bet is usually to park on 4th Avenue (just north of the studio) where parking is free all day.

+ Can we smoke or drink?

Smoking is unfortunately not permitted in the studio or the parking lot; we ask all who smoke to please go off-site onto 12th Street. Beverages are fine, but please refrain from bringing them inside the control room or putting them on gear in the live room.

+ Are you accepting interns?

Absolutely. We get a lot of applications for apprenticeships from all of the major recording schools in the Lower Mainland. However, we are extremely selective! We don't believe our apprentices should spend all of their time cleaning toilets and fetching coffee. Instead we are looking for extraordinarily detail-focused, driven producers and engineers who have the potential to grow as 12TH ST Sound grows, too.

If you're looking to apply to be an apprentice, we have a few recommendations to make your application stand out:

• First, pitch yourself. Why would you be a good fit for 12TH ST Sound?
• Tailor your C/V and resume. How does your experience relate to working in a studio environment?
• Tell us what you've learned about our studio specifically. What tracks did you enjoy? What equipment are you excited about?
• Include a portfolio. Even if you feel you're inexperienced, we'd love to hear & hear you talk about what you've been working on!

Please do not call the studio or show up in-person looking for an apprenticeship. All apprenticeship applications should be forwarded via email directly to Anthony Cenerini at info(at)12thst.ca.

We receive an overwhelming amount of inquiries and unfortunately cannot always reply to everyone—but if you've put in the effort, we'll usually return the favour, take the time to say "hi", and see what you're all about!