Remote Recording Services
Being a modern scoring composer is hard. In a world where you’re expected to compose, record, produce, mix, master, and market all by yourself - usually from your own home - it can get overwhelming.
Remote musician recording can take some of the pain out of this process by giving you access to top-tier performers with professional setups, delivering studio-quality stems that are ready to go. If you know what you want, go ahead and book now. If you have questions, we have answers!
Remote musician recording can take some of the pain out of this process by giving you access to top-tier performers with professional setups, delivering studio-quality stems that are ready to go. If you know what you want, go ahead and book now. If you have questions, we have answers!
What is a "Remote Musician"?
Many soundtracks still record the traditional way. You book a recording studio, hire an engineer, and get multiple musicians into the same space at the same time. But given the demands of modern scoring, many musicians have begun producing professional recordings in their own home studios. We refer to this as "remote multi-tracking".
Our remote musician contracting service allows you to hire all of the musicians you need for a project. You’ll receive separately-recorded tracks of each part that can then be mixed together. All musicians record their part alone, on their time, in their home studio.
If you want a single solo part to add some life to a sampled piece, we’ve got you. If you want a small band of less than a dozen musicians or even a full orchestra's worth of multi-tracked musicians, we’ve got you there, too. Any and all types of ensembles and musical styles can be recorded this way.
In addition to recording, we offer a full range of services from the beginning of the process to the end. We can provide orchestration, music preparation, music editing, or even mixing and mastering. You choose whatever you need to make your music shine.
Our remote musician contracting service allows you to hire all of the musicians you need for a project. You’ll receive separately-recorded tracks of each part that can then be mixed together. All musicians record their part alone, on their time, in their home studio.
If you want a single solo part to add some life to a sampled piece, we’ve got you. If you want a small band of less than a dozen musicians or even a full orchestra's worth of multi-tracked musicians, we’ve got you there, too. Any and all types of ensembles and musical styles can be recorded this way.
In addition to recording, we offer a full range of services from the beginning of the process to the end. We can provide orchestration, music preparation, music editing, or even mixing and mastering. You choose whatever you need to make your music shine.
Musician credits on the above demos available here.
Interested in hearing more and seeing the types of musicians we work with? Check out The Game Brass directly, our own fully-remote band of brass performers.
What are the advantages of remote recording?
- All communication, payment, and organization goes through a single point of contact, leaving you with a fast, clear, and simple workflow.
- Our musicians are able to record to the highest standard in their own space and time - no wasted time or strained relationships from a hectic studio environment.
- All parts are recorded in isolation. This gives you complete control over editing and mixing, as well as easy layering in game audio implementation.
- All musicians are professionally vetted, ensuring you will receive consistent, high-quality, on-time work. Many of our musicians have been heard in top AAA game projects and blockbuster film scores.
- Access to rare or unusual instruments like theremin, bass recorder, hurdy-gurdy, lute, and more.
- Remote multi-tracking is often faster and less expensive than traditional live studio recordings.
- There are no minimums on total recording time.
- We guarantee 100% satisfaction with the recordings you receive.
- Work with knowledgeable, real musicians in every step of the process, from booking down through recording.
How does this differ from other on-demand music recording services?
Our longstanding personal relationships with our musicians means we can guarantee the professional quality work they all provide. You don’t have to search for those mythical musicians with both the performance chops and the recording acumen. Each of our performers are top-tier instrumentalists, and also highly proficient at engineering and editing their own recordings.
We also streamline the entire workflow, creating one point of contact for yourself and for all musicians. Through years of refinement, we’ve found what materials help these performers do their best work, and will check to ensure the materials the musicians receive are optimized, so they can give you the best recordings possible at the quickest turnaround available.
We also streamline the entire workflow, creating one point of contact for yourself and for all musicians. Through years of refinement, we’ve found what materials help these performers do their best work, and will check to ensure the materials the musicians receive are optimized, so they can give you the best recordings possible at the quickest turnaround available.
How does this compare to a live group?
We’ve created hundreds of pieces using remotely-recorded, multi-tracked ensembles, in addition to our traditional studio work. We feel confident that the results are on par with a live ensemble, at any scale, from “solo work” to “full orchestra”. We also provide additional mix and mastering services if you need help putting everything together.
It is worth noting that even in-person studios use similar techniques! For soundtracks, it is common to "stripe" sections - recording strings in one session, then brass in another, and so on. Instruments like piano, harp, or vocals are almost always recorded in isolation.
Pop music also usually records in segments. The drummer lays down a track, followed by the bassist, the guitarist, and finally the singer. Our performers may be separated by distance, but what they’re doing is time-tested and proven by results.
For more information, or to secure services, please contact us for an estimate. If you have questions about timing, file formats, deliverables, and more, please read more.
It is worth noting that even in-person studios use similar techniques! For soundtracks, it is common to "stripe" sections - recording strings in one session, then brass in another, and so on. Instruments like piano, harp, or vocals are almost always recorded in isolation.
Pop music also usually records in segments. The drummer lays down a track, followed by the bassist, the guitarist, and finally the singer. Our performers may be separated by distance, but what they’re doing is time-tested and proven by results.
For more information, or to secure services, please contact us for an estimate. If you have questions about timing, file formats, deliverables, and more, please read more.
How much does this cost?
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Due the variable nature of music, all jobs require a custom quote. In order to receive an accurate estimate, please send over a MIDI file, notation software file, music XML, or PDF of the music, and a description of what you would like recorded (including what instruments and sections of music, if not the entire work). None of these files need to be cleaned up or "presentable" as discussed below, just indicative of what is being recorded. Audio mock-ups can be sent, but are not recommended. If audio is sent, it is best if it is just the part(s) you intend to have recorded.
If you do not have any files to share, a description of your needs can help us prepare an initial quote. Please also include any additional services you may need, including sheet music and recording material preparation. Please note that all quotes or estimates, and the final price is likely to vary based on the scope of the final deliverables. All files received are kept strictly confidential and deleted once an estimate has been given. Cost varies based on the number of musicians, amount of music, and complexity of the music, as well as any special requests such as additional takes or video footage. As a very rough guide, prices can run from $30 - $60 per recorded minute of music per part. This price includes the time it takes to engineer, record, and edit the music. There is a 10% contracting fee. If you need only 1 or 2 musicians for a project, this fee is reduced to 5%. Every musician beyond the 16th on the same project will be at a reduced rate of 8%. For additional services, including orchestration, music preparation, and mixing, prices generally fall within the following range depending on the type of part and scope of the music: Orchestration: $16 - $40 per 4-bar page Parts Preparation: $3 - $12 per 32-bar page Mixing: $50-$200 per minute of music We are happy to work out a price that works for the scope and budget of your project, no matter how small or large. |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do I need to provide?
With years of experience in remote multi-tracking, we've developed the most efficient system for ensuring your music is properly recorded. You will be asked to provide the following materials:
All of these files must sync together from measure 1 when dragged into a fresh DAW project, including the sheet music, whose bar numbers should match the bars in your DAW. This will ensure that all musicians are not only in sync with each other, but are also able to work through your music as efficiently as possible. It is recommended that the first two measures be empty and used only for count-off clicks. We are also happy to help create these files for you!
In some instances, we may ask for an additional text document clarifying interpretation of the music. Beyond that, no other files should be provided. Don’t include video files, DAW project files, etc.
- MIDI file
- Audio click track
- Audio mock-up of the music
- Additional mock-ups with the desired live parts muted may also be requested
- PDF sheet music, or audio mock-ups representing parts for instruments that do not traditionally read music
All of these files must sync together from measure 1 when dragged into a fresh DAW project, including the sheet music, whose bar numbers should match the bars in your DAW. This will ensure that all musicians are not only in sync with each other, but are also able to work through your music as efficiently as possible. It is recommended that the first two measures be empty and used only for count-off clicks. We are also happy to help create these files for you!
In some instances, we may ask for an additional text document clarifying interpretation of the music. Beyond that, no other files should be provided. Don’t include video files, DAW project files, etc.
What's the timeline like?
For best results, we recommend a minimum two-week turnaround time from the submission of all relevant files to the receipt of your recordings. Rush jobs of less than a week are also possible, upon request.
If you would like additional orchestration, music preparation, or audio mixing, the turnaround time depends on the amount of music. Please contact us for an estimate.
If you would like additional orchestration, music preparation, or audio mixing, the turnaround time depends on the amount of music. Please contact us for an estimate.
Can I monitor the recording sessions?
Generally, no - the musicians will record the music when able within the deadline provided. Much of the benefit of this system is the efficiency and flexibility in which material can be recorded. Our expert instrumentalists can record dozens of parts without each "session" having to be monitored. Furthermore, most musicians don't have an effective way to stream their audio to you in real time at high quality.
In rare cases, such as solos, vocals, or more "improvised" parts, it can be helpful to video call into a session to provide direction. Keep in mind that this is inherently a slower process, but these private sessions can be provided at an additional cost.
In rare cases, such as solos, vocals, or more "improvised" parts, it can be helpful to video call into a session to provide direction. Keep in mind that this is inherently a slower process, but these private sessions can be provided at an additional cost.
What will I receive?
By default, musicians will provide a stereo .WAV file recorded at a sample rate of 48kHz, and a bit depth of 24 bits. Higher sample rates may be available upon request. Unless otherwise noted, this .WAV file will sync perfectly with the MIDI and audio mock-up reference material that you provided.
Unless otherwise requested, you will receive a single, edited take of the performance. Most musicians provide a single stereo file, but some may provide multiple mono files (one for each microphone they used).
No other files are provided besides the audio recording. If you would like video footage of the musicians (say, for promotional B-roll or music videos), this can be provided at an additional cost.
Unless otherwise requested, you will receive a single, edited take of the performance. Most musicians provide a single stereo file, but some may provide multiple mono files (one for each microphone they used).
No other files are provided besides the audio recording. If you would like video footage of the musicians (say, for promotional B-roll or music videos), this can be provided at an additional cost.
Can I control how the music is recorded?
Each musician, recording in their own personal studio, has figured out the optimal way to capture the sound of their instrument in the space provided. This includes precise details on their microphone setup and placement, where they sit, and how they've acoustically treated their room.
For this reason, we typically do not accept requests for specific recording setups. In the hundreds of recordings we've created, we’ve almost never needed to dictate to the musicians how to record their instrument. That said, we may be able to make exceptions if you wish to capture a specific sound. Contact us, and we'll figure out the best way to achieve this.
Most musicians will be providing a stereo recording, which we've found is the best way to mix remote multi-tracked projects. Some instruments, such as drum set, will have multiple microphones representing each instrument (snare, kick, overhead, etc.), all recorded in mono.
If necessary, your files will be labeled with the style of microphone setup used - from mid-side, XY, far/close, or some other combination.
For this reason, we typically do not accept requests for specific recording setups. In the hundreds of recordings we've created, we’ve almost never needed to dictate to the musicians how to record their instrument. That said, we may be able to make exceptions if you wish to capture a specific sound. Contact us, and we'll figure out the best way to achieve this.
Most musicians will be providing a stereo recording, which we've found is the best way to mix remote multi-tracked projects. Some instruments, such as drum set, will have multiple microphones representing each instrument (snare, kick, overhead, etc.), all recorded in mono.
If necessary, your files will be labeled with the style of microphone setup used - from mid-side, XY, far/close, or some other combination.
What should I expect when receiving these files?
If you've never heard an isolated, un-mixed recording before, you may be surprised at how dry and "exposed" the raw recording will sound. Rest assured, all instruments sound this way until properly mixed together and treated with the elements of a proper mix. Once reverb, EQ, and other effects are added, they’ll sound more like you expect.
Most of the recordings are similar to what you might expect from a close-miked sample. While the musicians take great pains to record the music at the highest performance quality possible, including additional pitch and timing edits as necessary, polishing human performances for mixing into an ensemble almost always necessitates some additional correction. Expect to use Melodyne or other tools to better unify the ensemble in the final mix, as would be standard even in traditional studio recordings.
Most of the recordings are similar to what you might expect from a close-miked sample. While the musicians take great pains to record the music at the highest performance quality possible, including additional pitch and timing edits as necessary, polishing human performances for mixing into an ensemble almost always necessitates some additional correction. Expect to use Melodyne or other tools to better unify the ensemble in the final mix, as would be standard even in traditional studio recordings.
What if I need something re-recorded?
Our musicians pride themselves on the high-quality work they provide, and we guarantee all recordings you receive will be of a professional caliber. In the very rare instance that there is an non-correctable mistake in the recording, we can provide a new take.
Keep in mind that small discontinuities between recordings, such as minor intonation or timing problems, are to be expected, just like they would be in a live session. These are best corrected in the mixing process via tools such as Melodyne.
If there are no errors but you change your mind about the music itself - for instance, if you rewrite a section - you will need to purchase additional time in order to get a fresh take.
Keep in mind that small discontinuities between recordings, such as minor intonation or timing problems, are to be expected, just like they would be in a live session. These are best corrected in the mixing process via tools such as Melodyne.
If there are no errors but you change your mind about the music itself - for instance, if you rewrite a section - you will need to purchase additional time in order to get a fresh take.
Do I own the recording? And are there any additional stipulations on the recordings?
The recordings you receive will be yours to use in perpetuity with their associated project. The recordings themselves may not be packaged or re-sold as sample libraries. (If you would like to create a custom sample library, let us know, and we can help!)
All recordings are explicitly prohibited from being used for training AI models or for any other uses in conjunction with generative AI.
Musicians must be credited in any projects in which you choose to use their recordings. That includes in the credits of media you score with the recordings (film, TV, video game, etc.). It also includes any soundtrack releases. The credits must be in a style similar to other related credits on the project, and included alongside all other sound- and music-related credits.
Performers must be credited for the specific instruments they recorded (e.g., "Flute, Oboe, English Horn) and not simply credited as "musician" or "orchestra". Additionally, "Thomas Kresge" must be credited as "Musician Contractor" or "Musician contracting services provided by".
Musicians may not go un-credited except at the request of the musicians themselves.
You also grant all musicians, as well as the remote musician contracting service, the right to use any of their recordings, including the final mixes of music they recorded, for their own portfolio and promotional purposes.
All recordings are explicitly prohibited from being used for training AI models or for any other uses in conjunction with generative AI.
Musicians must be credited in any projects in which you choose to use their recordings. That includes in the credits of media you score with the recordings (film, TV, video game, etc.). It also includes any soundtrack releases. The credits must be in a style similar to other related credits on the project, and included alongside all other sound- and music-related credits.
Performers must be credited for the specific instruments they recorded (e.g., "Flute, Oboe, English Horn) and not simply credited as "musician" or "orchestra". Additionally, "Thomas Kresge" must be credited as "Musician Contractor" or "Musician contracting services provided by".
Musicians may not go un-credited except at the request of the musicians themselves.
You also grant all musicians, as well as the remote musician contracting service, the right to use any of their recordings, including the final mixes of music they recorded, for their own portfolio and promotional purposes.
Can the musicians sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
Any files you share with us, at any point in the process, including for the purposes of obtaining an estimate, will be considered strictly confidential.
If you had to sign an NDA, you may request that the musicians and contractor sign one as well. Any NDA should provide specific timelines for when the NDA is lifted and the project may be publicly discussed. This may be a date, or it may be an event such as a trailer release or film premiere.
It is highly recommended you anonymize the materials provided. NDAs are not required if you did not need to sign one yourself. The musicians or contractor are not responsible for any agreements they were not asked to sign.
The remote musician contracting service and musicians should be informed when the project has gone public. No NDA may infringe upon the rights of the musicians to be credited or to use the final musical product for their own portfolio and self-promotion.
If you had to sign an NDA, you may request that the musicians and contractor sign one as well. Any NDA should provide specific timelines for when the NDA is lifted and the project may be publicly discussed. This may be a date, or it may be an event such as a trailer release or film premiere.
It is highly recommended you anonymize the materials provided. NDAs are not required if you did not need to sign one yourself. The musicians or contractor are not responsible for any agreements they were not asked to sign.
The remote musician contracting service and musicians should be informed when the project has gone public. No NDA may infringe upon the rights of the musicians to be credited or to use the final musical product for their own portfolio and self-promotion.
