Audio Recording at The Hearth

Proposal Budget for Album Creation at The Hearth Home Studio

Project Overview:
This proposal outlines the updated budget for the creation of an album featuring 8-10 songs. The process includes tracking vocals and guitar to a click track, adding instrumentation and production in post-production, and finalizing the album with mixing and mastering. Justin Ancheta will serve as the primary mixing and mastering engineer, but if Oz Fritz is involved for additional support, time management, or extra ears on the project, the price for the client will remain the same. The involvement of guest musicians will be at Justin’s discretion, and any associated costs will be confirmed upfront.

Project Components:

1. Pre-production & Tracking (1-2 Days for Basics)
   • Tracking Basics: Includes vocals and guitar to a click track in The Hearth home studio—a convenient and cost-effective solution.
   • Studio Fee: $250 for the use of the home studio
   • Accommodation: Includes room and board for 2 nights at $100 per night, including food.
   • Rate: $120 per hour (Justin Ancheta as teacher, producer, engineer)
   • Home Studio Fee: $250 for use of the home studio
   • Guest Musicians (Optional): If Justin chooses to include top-tier musicians to support the project, the cost would be $300-$500 per guest artist. These guests would be finalized and confirmed with the artists before implementation to align with any budgetary constraints or personal requests.

   Studio Time for Tracking:

   • The tracking session for vocals and guitar to a click track will typically take 1-2 days at 8 hours per day, with the understanding that the day rate cannot go below 8 hours, regardless of whether the session slightly goes over 8 hours (e.g., taking breaks or small pauses).
   • If the session goes beyond 10 hours, additional studio time will be billed hourly at $120 per hour. A bit over 8 hours works fine as long as there is flexibility built into the schedule.

   Estimated Cost for Tracking Basics:

   • Studio Time: $250 (Home studio fee)
   • Room & Board: 2 nights x $100/night = $200
   • Tracking Basics (Vocals and Guitar): 8-16 hours x $120/hr = $960 – $1,920
   • Guest Musicians: $300 – $500 per guest (if applicable)
     Total for Tracking Basics: $1,410 – $2,370 (with guest musicians, if applicable)

2. Post-production & Instrumentation (1-2 Days per Song)
   • Instrumentation & Production: After basic tracking, Justin Ancheta will add necessary instrumentation, such as bass, keyboard, and percussion, either himself or with the help of guest musicians.
   • Studio Time: Approximately 1-2 days per song for 8-10 songs
   • Rate: $120 per hour (Justin Ancheta as producer/engineer)

   Estimated Cost for Instrumentation:
   1-2 days per song x 8-10 songs = 8-20 days
   8-20 days x 8 hours/day = 64-160 hours x $120/hr = $7,680 – $19,200

3. Mixing & Final Production (4 Hours per Song)

   • Mixing: Justin Ancheta will handle the final mixing of each song, ensuring a polished and balanced sound. If needed, Oz Fritz may be consulted for extra support and ear on the project, but the rate will remain consistent for the client.
   • Studio Time: 4 hours per song.
   • Rate: $120 per hour

   Estimated Cost for Mixing:
   4 hours/song x 8-10 songs = 32-40 hours x $120/hr = $3,840 – $4,800

4. Mastering (5 Hours Total)
   • Mastering: After mixing, Justin Ancheta will finalize the album with mastering. If necessary, Oz Fritz may provide additional help in this phase to ensure high-quality results.
   • Studio Time: 5 hours total for the album.
   • Rate: $120 per hour (Justin Ancheta as mixing and mastering engineer)

   Estimated Cost for Mastering:
   5 hours x $120/hr = $600

5. Additional Studio Costs
   • If a separate studio is required (outside of Justin’s home studio), the estimated additional cost will be $500-$1,000 per day for tracking.

   Total for Separate Studio Use (if applicable): $500-$1,000 per day x 1-2 days = $500 – $2,000

Total Estimated Budget for Album Creation:

• Without Separate Studio Use:
  $13,040 – $27,970

• With Separate Studio Use:
  $13,540 – $29,970

Project Timeline

• Total Duration: 3-6 months
• Tracking & Instrumentation: 1-2 days for basic tracking, 1-2 days per song for instrumentation
• Mixing: 4 hours per song
• Mastering: 5 hours total

Additional Notes

• The timeline for rough mixes and updates will be flexible, with mixes being sent every 1-2 weeks for feedback and updates.
• The final costs may vary depending on the total number of songs, the involvement of other musicians or specialists, and the complexity of the instrumentation and mixing process.
• If a separate studio is required, the cost will increase depending on location and availability.
• If Oz Fritz is involved, the rate for mixing and mastering will remain the same, as Justin will determine when and how Oz will provide support, ensuring the most effective use of time and expertise for the project.
• Guest musicians will be selected at Justin’s discretion, with their costs confirmed with the artists before inclusion in the project, depending on the available budget and any artist-specific requests.

Conclusion
This proposal covers all aspects of album creation, from vocals and guitar tracking to instrumentation, mixing, and mastering. Justin Ancheta will ensure high-quality sound, with the potential for Oz Fritz’s support as needed. The costs and scope are flexible depending on the number of songs, the need for an external studio, and the duration of the project. The inclusion of guest musicians is an option at Justin’s discretion and will minimally affect the budget, with costs clearly confirmed before proceeding.