ESS Policies and Procedures

Studio Policy
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the studio policy. A clear understanding of the policy will reduce confusion later on. Emerald Street Studios promotes a professional atmosphere in a community driven environment. Alcohol, drugs or any illicit behavior is strictly prohibited anywhere on the premises. Emerald Street Studios reserves the right to refuse to work with any client for any reason.

Booking
Studio time is booked by appointment only, no walk-ins allowed. Email emeraldstreetstudios@gmail.com or visit www.206zulu.com to schedule studio time. A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking. The deposit will be applied to your session or refunded if you cancel more than 72 hours before your session begins. If your deposit is not received within 72 hours of your session time, your time may be forfeited to another client. If session is not cancelled more than 72 hours in advance your deposit will be forfeited. (Since we are likely unable to obtain replacement bookings at such a late time) The remaining balance must be paid in full by the end of the recording session. Failure to produce full payment will result in the studio withholding all copies of recordings, masters or multi-tracks until all fees have been paid and funds have cleared. Emerald Street Studios cannot be held responsible for any illness, personal emergencies, bad weather, traffic, or members of the group preventing the client to not be able to make the session.

Payment
Remaining balance is to be made upon completion of each session. Payment may be made by cash, credit card or PayPal.

Masters
Your account must be paid in full prior to receiving your master. Masters may be transferred onto a hard drive, USB stick, emailed or on CD-R that you provide. CD-R’s may be purchased for an additional $2 per disc. Due to the unreliable nature of this digital world, we cannot guarantee the safe storage of digital audio files. Although such losses are rare, Emerald Street Studios accepts no liability for the usage or storage of any data or audio files. It is necessary for every client to provide backup for digital audio file storage. Emerald Street Studios is not responsible for educating or instructing clients on care and storage of digital data and media, or any data, media or client files lost or corrupted while stored on studio hard drives. Please note, as well, that files will be stored for no more than 30 days following completion of the session.

Billable Items
When the engineer is working on your project, that time is billable. This includes when you are present in the studio with the engineer. But it may also include other times when the engineer is working on your project, such as doing requested edits, bouncing a rough mix, or uploading your tracks. Transferring your session files to your hard drive ties up the studio and therefore is also billable time. Often your engineer can find ways to reduce the amount of billable time outside of your attended sessions, so it is a good idea to discuss this with the engineer ahead of time.

Studio Time
The clock begins at the start of your scheduled session, or when the engineer starts working with you setting up equipment, whichever occurs first. When you indicate you are finished and the equipment is no longer in use the clock stops. (If a master recording is being burned, the clock continues to run until the master is finished.)

Ending Time
We do our best to be flexible. Another session may be scheduled following yours and in most cases we allow at least 1/2 hour leeway between sessions. It is always a good idea to estimate the amount of time you will need and schedule accordingly.

Open-Ended Time
If no one is scheduled after you, and the engineer is willing, you may continue until you reach your goal or wish to stop. Keep in mind performers and engineers may become fatigued during long sessions, which could affect the quality of your work.

Mixing & Mastering
We offer additional services such as mixing and/or mastering through our in-house specialists including Legion of Dume, K Stiell, OCnotes or an outside service provider of your choice.

Liability Waiver
Client agrees to waive any claim or claims of liability against Emerald Street Studios for any injury whatsoever, either out of accident, illness, or injury, while on its premises. We are not legally or financially responsible for items brought into or left on the premises. This includes master tapes, hard drives, or any media left at Emerald Street Studios before, during or after recording sessions. The customer waives the right to bring any legal action against Emerald Street Studios and/or its staff due to any damages or loss, financial or otherwise, resulting from customer’s use of our recording, tracking, mixing, editing, mastering or consulting services.

Graphic Design and Duplication
We offer a full range of CD and DVD packages with or without full graphics design. It is a good idea to discuss graphic design concepts with the Art Director before your recording is finished, so as not to delay your release. Manufacturing requires a 50% deposit with the balance due upon completion.

Food and Beverage
Food and beverages are not allowed in the studio. Only water with a sealable lid may be brought into the studio and placed in designated area.

Drugs and Alcohol 
We reserve the right to deny access to premises and our equipment to those clearly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Smoking
Smoking is prohibited on the premises of Washington Hall. If you choose to smoke outdoors, please use the receptacle provided for this purpose.

Thank you for reviewing the studio policy. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Last updated 10/15/19

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