FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does the $300 studio rental day rate include an engineer?
No, the engineer's fee is on top of the studio rental. The studio day rate is for the whole day and night. You and your engineer decide on what hours work best.
Does the $300 studio rental day rate include an engineer?
No, the engineer's fee is on top of the studio rental. The studio day rate is for the whole day and night. You and your engineer decide on what hours work best.
How much do engineers charge per hour on top of the studio rental rate?
Most are around $20-$35 an hour, but don't hold us to that... (see the Engineers! page) and ask us for their rates and availability.
Most are around $20-$35 an hour, but don't hold us to that... (see the Engineers! page) and ask us for their rates and availability.
How many hours are included in the day rate including a house engineer?
The special $450 rate that includes the studio rate and a house engineers fee is for a
10 hour day. Additional hourly engineer rates may be added if the session goes longer than 10 hours.
What are the hidden costs?
The only additional costs are your recording media (CD-R, DVD-R, external hard drive, analog tape, etc...) There are no instruments or recording equipment that you will be charged extra to use at Jackpot!
Why doesn't the studio charge per hour?
We prefer to stick to the day rate deal because it's very difficult to deal with bookings of several hours, where we end up with a whole day booked by different people scheduled for two or so hours. And it's funny how those two hour sessions then become five, making it impossible to book sessions in a row. Occasionally we will do hourly bookings, but frequently these will be bumped - even last minute - for full day projects. Please take advantage of our reasonable day rate or contact us to see if we have any openings by the hour coming up soon.
Can we break up the day rate over two days?
Never. No. That's why it's called a day rate. (We get asked this a lot for some reason!)
Can we get a tour of the studio?
Of course. Email is easiest, or call and leave a message (503-239-5389). Sometimes we can do the tour that day, sometimes a week or so away. It depends on the sessions that are active. The only thing we ask is that you are serious about recording here. We get a lot of inquiries from Tape Op Magazine readers who'd like to see the studio and meet Larry as they travel through Portland. Usually there's just not enough time for this, and most of the time Larry is out of town or working on other projects. Thanks for understanding. Also, please do not drop by the studio without an appointment - either a session is in progress or the studio is closed.
Do you have a demo CD of tracks from Jackpot!?
We're set up to do basic tracks live with groups. We can isolate the drums, guitars and bass with our three iso rooms, or run them live in the same room. Doing live tracks with acoustic guitars is possible, but remember that if you are singing a foot away from your guitar that the mic on the guitar will pick up your voice as well and that recording acoustic guitar in the same room as a loud drum set is difficult!
How long will it take to record my album?
We don't know. A well-rehearsed band can lay down most of the basic tracks for an album in two days. Overdubs can take anywhere from one to seven days depending on the amount of work and pickiness. For mixing, budget three hours per song or so at least. A guitarist-singer who has their tunes down can track hours of live stuff in one day, mix it all the same day and have a decent live demo. It really depends what you are looking for. Many of our better songwriter/band projects have taken ten to fourteen days. Some projects go faster. Always add time to your estimates! We've made albums in one day and one month. Just don't try to make The Dark Side of the Moon or Loveless in three days!
What are the hidden costs?
The only additional costs are your recording media (CD-R, DVD-R, external hard drive, analog tape, etc...) There are no instruments or recording equipment that you will be charged extra to use at Jackpot!
Why doesn't the studio charge per hour?
We prefer to stick to the day rate deal because it's very difficult to deal with bookings of several hours, where we end up with a whole day booked by different people scheduled for two or so hours. And it's funny how those two hour sessions then become five, making it impossible to book sessions in a row. Occasionally we will do hourly bookings, but frequently these will be bumped - even last minute - for full day projects. Please take advantage of our reasonable day rate or contact us to see if we have any openings by the hour coming up soon.
Can we break up the day rate over two days?
Never. No. That's why it's called a day rate. (We get asked this a lot for some reason!)
Can we get a tour of the studio?
Of course. Email is easiest, or call and leave a message (503-239-5389). Sometimes we can do the tour that day, sometimes a week or so away. It depends on the sessions that are active. The only thing we ask is that you are serious about recording here. We get a lot of inquiries from Tape Op Magazine readers who'd like to see the studio and meet Larry as they travel through Portland. Usually there's just not enough time for this, and most of the time Larry is out of town or working on other projects. Thanks for understanding. Also, please do not drop by the studio without an appointment - either a session is in progress or the studio is closed.
Do you have a demo CD of tracks from Jackpot!?
There have been hundreds of albums completed by many different engineers and producers since we opened in 1997. We don't have a compilation to demonstrate the wide variety of sounds and styles that have come out of Jackpot! Please see the Projects! page.
Do you work weekends?
Of course. In fact, weekends are usually booked up several months in advance.
Can we come in early or the night before to set up?
No. Sessions begin at the time you schedule them. Much of the engineering work begins as you start setting up so we have to charge for this time.
What's a producer?
In general terms: A producer is someone who is heavily involved in your project, possibly attending shows and rehearsals, working on arrangements, checking your equipment, recommending outside musicians, deciding what songs to record and more. They will see your project through completion, and help you get the best takes. A producer doesn't have to be an engineer, and you may see sessions where a producer and engineer work together. One would hire a producer based on the quality of the previous work this producer has done, familiarity with their style and an understanding that they will be calling the shots and raising the quality of the album project.
What's a co-producer?
In general terms: A co-producer is someone who will engineer your album and make suggestions and subjective comments in order for you to make the best recording possible. They will be active in assessing takes and suggesting sounds, arrangements, etc. Usually they will jump into the session cold on the first day. Generally they will be the sole engineer as well. One would hire a co-producer based on work they've done before and their familiarity with the studio being used.
What's an engineer?
In general terms: An engineer is someone that knows how to operate the recording equipment in the studio, get sounds and accommodate the requests of the artist or producer. One would hire an engineer based on a recommendation from the studio, work they've done before and their familiarity with the studio being used.
What's a recording studio?
A recording studio is a space where music is played and the sound is recorded. What Jackpot! is NOT is a record label looking for talent, a place that hires outside musicians, or a rehearsal room.
Do you do voiceovers, video editing, music for film or radio spots?
Some of these tasks we can do, but Jackpot! is best known and geared towards recording performance-based music sessions. For much of this post-production work we recommend Rex Post or SuperDigital. We have no video editing or viewing equipment.
Analog or Digital?
Tape is available new for reasonable prices locally at SuperDigital (503-228-2222) or for great deals order from Pro Tape Northwest in Seattle 800-331-6107. We can run the decks at 30 ips, which gives you 16 minutes per reel, or we can run at 15 ips for 33 minutes per reel. If we're using Pro Tools we recommend you bring your own Firewire 400 or 800 hard drive. This will speed up backup time. Sessions can be backed up to CD-R or DVD-R but this takes a long time (and can be less reliable). A typical session will take one hour per song to back up (much more expensive than a hard drive.) You can bring your own CD-R or DVD-R (not DVD+R) media to save money, but please bring your own CD cases if you do.
Do you do mastering?
No. Locally we recommend:
Do you work weekends?
Of course. In fact, weekends are usually booked up several months in advance.
Can we come in early or the night before to set up?
No. Sessions begin at the time you schedule them. Much of the engineering work begins as you start setting up so we have to charge for this time.
What's a producer?
In general terms: A producer is someone who is heavily involved in your project, possibly attending shows and rehearsals, working on arrangements, checking your equipment, recommending outside musicians, deciding what songs to record and more. They will see your project through completion, and help you get the best takes. A producer doesn't have to be an engineer, and you may see sessions where a producer and engineer work together. One would hire a producer based on the quality of the previous work this producer has done, familiarity with their style and an understanding that they will be calling the shots and raising the quality of the album project.
What's a co-producer?
In general terms: A co-producer is someone who will engineer your album and make suggestions and subjective comments in order for you to make the best recording possible. They will be active in assessing takes and suggesting sounds, arrangements, etc. Usually they will jump into the session cold on the first day. Generally they will be the sole engineer as well. One would hire a co-producer based on work they've done before and their familiarity with the studio being used.
What's an engineer?
In general terms: An engineer is someone that knows how to operate the recording equipment in the studio, get sounds and accommodate the requests of the artist or producer. One would hire an engineer based on a recommendation from the studio, work they've done before and their familiarity with the studio being used.
What's a recording studio?
A recording studio is a space where music is played and the sound is recorded. What Jackpot! is NOT is a record label looking for talent, a place that hires outside musicians, or a rehearsal room.
Do you do voiceovers, video editing, music for film or radio spots?
Some of these tasks we can do, but Jackpot! is best known and geared towards recording performance-based music sessions. For much of this post-production work we recommend Rex Post or SuperDigital. We have no video editing or viewing equipment.
Analog or Digital?
Tape is available new for reasonable prices locally at SuperDigital (503-228-2222) or for great deals order from Pro Tape Northwest in Seattle 800-331-6107. We can run the decks at 30 ips, which gives you 16 minutes per reel, or we can run at 15 ips for 33 minutes per reel. If we're using Pro Tools we recommend you bring your own Firewire 400 or 800 hard drive. This will speed up backup time. Sessions can be backed up to CD-R or DVD-R but this takes a long time (and can be less reliable). A typical session will take one hour per song to back up (much more expensive than a hard drive.) You can bring your own CD-R or DVD-R (not DVD+R) media to save money, but please bring your own CD cases if you do.
Do you do mastering?
No. Locally we recommend:
Kevin Nettleingham (360-696-5999) is also great.
Tone Proper Mastering (503-330-6262) Nick Moon's place
Stereophonic Mastering (503-407-2521) Timothy Stollenwerk's place
Freq Mastering (503-222-9444) Ryan Foster's place
Do you have beats?
We have a large selections of drum tracks, samples, etc. but remember that building up tracks is gonna take a lot of time and creativity. There are no "walk in and sing and walk out with a CD" services available at Jackpot!
Can you transfer my old vinyl/cassette/reels/etc. to CD-R?
Do you have beats?
We have a large selections of drum tracks, samples, etc. but remember that building up tracks is gonna take a lot of time and creativity. There are no "walk in and sing and walk out with a CD" services available at Jackpot!
Can you transfer my old vinyl/cassette/reels/etc. to CD-R?
Jackpot! can transfer most 2" or 1/4" analog reels (not half-track 1/4" consumer format) and cassette 2- and 4-track.
Kevin Nettleingham (360-696-5999) does great vinyl transfer and restoration.
Kevin Nettleingham (360-696-5999) does great vinyl transfer and restoration.
For other format tape transfers we recommend Mr. Toad's in San Francisco.
Are you currently accepting interns?
No. There are no plans to be taking on interns in the future. Please don't email or call about being our intern or asking what other studios accept them. We don't know!
Does Jackpot! hire engineers or assistants?
Never. The engineers all work freelance, many times bringing in their own work. There are no assistant, runner or tape op jobs available. But if you are a competent engineer who can bring in your own sessions please contact us - we always need more freelancers!
Does Jackpot! have blank tape for sale?
Sometimes. Call or email us to find out.
Can I bring my own engineer for my sessions?
If the person isn't listed on our Engineers! page then we'll need to talk to them and see if they are qualified to run the studio here. But usually this works out fine.
Is Jackpot! non-smoking?
Yes. Smoke cigarettes outside only. Smoking "other stuff" is not allowed due to liability/impoundment issues and misguided government policies.
Are you currently accepting interns?
No. There are no plans to be taking on interns in the future. Please don't email or call about being our intern or asking what other studios accept them. We don't know!
Does Jackpot! hire engineers or assistants?
Never. The engineers all work freelance, many times bringing in their own work. There are no assistant, runner or tape op jobs available. But if you are a competent engineer who can bring in your own sessions please contact us - we always need more freelancers!
Does Jackpot! have blank tape for sale?
Sometimes. Call or email us to find out.
Can I bring my own engineer for my sessions?
If the person isn't listed on our Engineers! page then we'll need to talk to them and see if they are qualified to run the studio here. But usually this works out fine.
Is Jackpot! non-smoking?
Yes. Smoke cigarettes outside only. Smoking "other stuff" is not allowed due to liability/impoundment issues and misguided government policies.
Can we sleep in the studio overnight while working?
No. Outside of an accidental catnap on the couch while mixing, using the studio as a living space overnight is expressly forbidden and in violation of our lease.
Where can we stay while visiting Portland?
Mark Spencer Hotel - downtown's best deal - ask for discount rate for musicians
Ace Hotel - downtown, hip and great restaurant downstairs
Jupiter Hotel - near Doug Fir club/restaurant but not always quiet on weekends
Bluebird Guesthouse - walking distance to studio
Garden Guest House - walking distance to studio, on Hawthorne
Portland International Hostel Hawthorne - cheap but booked up in advance
Northwest Portland International Hostel - cheap but other side of town
Where can we eat near the studio?
Petite Provence Boulangerie and Patisserie - 4834 SE Division St.
The Blue Pig Café - 5026 S.E. Division St.
El Gordito Taco Truck - SE 50th Ave & SE Division St.
Wy'east Pizza - 3131 SE 50th Ave
Zach's Shack - 4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Stumptown Coffee - 4525 SE Division St.
Bete-Lukas - 2504 SE 50th Ave
The Sapphire Hotel - 5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Pok Pok - 3226 SE Division St.
North Bar - 5008 Southeast Division Street
Can we all play live in the studio?
How long will it take to record my album?
We don't know. A well-rehearsed band can lay down most of the basic tracks for an album in two days. Overdubs can take anywhere from one to seven days depending on the amount of work and pickiness. For mixing, budget three hours per song or so at least. A guitarist-singer who has their tunes down can track hours of live stuff in one day, mix it all the same day and have a decent live demo. It really depends what you are looking for. Many of our better songwriter/band projects have taken ten to fourteen days. Some projects go faster. Always add time to your estimates! We've made albums in one day and one month. Just don't try to make The Dark Side of the Moon or Loveless in three days!
