The new Music Academy Recording Studio (M.A.R.S.) is the perfect playground for your creativity. Record your band's next demo or album in a professional recording environment. Enroll in our exciting and hands-on recording class (lab) and learn how to record and produce your own music.

M.A.R.S. is full of the latest analog and digital recording equipment. Our tracking room is large enough to accommodate a rock band or a small ensemble and is equipped with a Kawai 5'9" grand piano. We've also got many professional quality instruments and amps to help you get the sounds you've been hoping to achieve!

Our gear:

- Apple 20" Core 2 Duo iMac
- Glyph 500GB Hard Drive
- Digidesign 003R
- Pro Tools LE 8.0 Recording Software
- Presonus Digimax FS Interface and Microphone Preamps
- Dynaudio BM5A Studio Reference Monitors
- Microphones from Shure, Audio Technica, Heil, Groove Tubes, and many more!
- More equipment can always be made available, based on needs and tastes of  your recording.

ADAM DONOHUE, saxophone faculty member at The Music Academy of North Carolina, has been performing and teaching professionally since the age of 15. Adam teaches saxophone, clarinet and flute.  He attended Berklee College of Music in 1996 and earned a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Composition with additional studies in Music Education. After graduating in 1999, Adam worked in the cruise line industry as a saxophonist and Musical Director until 2005. He then attended Washington State University and earned a Masters of Arts in Music with a major in Jazz Studies and saxophone. Adam has worked with great musicians such as Charo, John Handy, Jeff Coffin and Kevin Mahogany. Adam’s compositions are published with Walrus Music Publishing.

1. How do I schedule a recording session?

Tell us how many hours you want to reserve and when you are available.  We coordinate the time with the technician and contact you of the the scheduled session confirmation.  For you to reserve the time, the office must receive payment 24 hours in advance of the scheduled session.

2. How much does it cost?
   
   
• $53/hour with a 2-hour minimum ($106)

If you are unable to complete your recording after 2 hours, you may continue with the session if the technician and studio are available.  You will be billed in pro-rated 30-minute increments if more time is required than originally scheduled.  Or you may schedule additional time at a later date by calling the office.

3. Will I be able to play the recording on my home or car CD player?

Yes, the CD recording will be compatible with most commercial CD players.

4. What if the CD won’t play on my equipment … will the CD be made compatible?

We make every effort to make your CD compatible with at least one of your players, by providing a number of different formats (.mp3, .wav, and .aac).  If we are unable to make your CD compatible with at least one of your players, we will put it on an analog cassette tape.

5. How many hours does a usual recording session take?

A regular session requires a minimum of 2 hours to set-up, perform 1-2 tunes, mix the recording, and transfer to a master CD disc.  (The recording may be transferred to a USB or Fire Wire hard drive instead, if you choose.)   It will take longer if you have several songs to record, and/or you perform the songs several times to get a performance that pleases you.  Also, setting up equipment (drum sets, etc.) will increase the time.  If you come in warmed up and ready to perform 1-2 songs, you should be out in 2 hours.
Your session begins the minute you walk into the studio, and ends when you walk out the door with a recording.  Any time you spend talking, setting up, and performing over again adds to the session time. One to two hours is a good base line, but the more performers that are involved or the more complex the session, this time has the potential to be greater even for one to two tunes.

6. What happens in a recording session?

You come in and perform your tunes while the technician records from a sound control room. 
Recordings are mixed and transferred to your hard-drive or a single master CD disc upon completion of the scheduled recording session.
Minimal duplicate copies will require additional recording time and must be requested BEFORE the scheduled session. The CD recordings will be compatible with most commercial CD players.

7. Do I have to do the recording all at one time or can I split up the time?

Most musicians prefer to complete a recording session in one session, since set-up and break-down add additional time. If necessary, the time can be extended by again going through the initial scheduling process above.

8. How many musicians can fit into the recording studio?

The studio can comfortably accommodate 1-6 musicians, depending on the instrumentation.  Ensemble musicians may be placed in separate rooms to record, at the discretion of the technician.

9. When do I receive the actual recording of the session?

You receive a master CD disc of your recording that you take with you when you leave the completed session.

10. What do I need to bring with me?

The recording studio provides a baby grand piano, drum set, music stands, amplifiers, microphones, and the master CD disc of your recording that you will take with you. You may bring your personal instruments, but be aware that equipment set-up and break-down time adds length to the session.

11. Do I need to bring my computer with me to the recording session?

Only if you want your recording transferred to your hard-drive rather than to a single master CD disc.

12. What if I want more than one recording?

Minimal duplicate copies will require additional recording time and must be requested BEFORE the scheduled session. The CD recordings will be compatible with most commercial CD players.
Mass production of the master recording and artwork are not provided by The Music Academy.  You accept full and complete responsibility for meeting any and all copyright and license requirements and/or restrictions which may be associated with the use of the musical materials (songs) and recordings.

13. What if I have additional questions?

Please leave your detailed questions for the technician at (336) 691-0672, ext. 217.