Listed below are the current studio policies. These policies reflect the most recent policy updates from December 31, 2024 and are subject to change without notice.
Booking
To book with Chinchilla Studios, begin by filling out and submitting a contact form online with the details of the project. Chinchilla Studios will respond to ask further details about the project and set up a date and time for the first session. Artists will be sent a copy of the policies to review and sign along with a Production Agreement and will be expected to have these at the start of their first session.
Hourly Sessions
Once a session date and time are agreed upon, the artist may book the session by making a 50% deposit for the time booked. For hourly sessions, recording (tracking) and production sessions where the artist must be present must be booked separately from editing, mixing, and mastering sessions, where the artist’s presence is optional. Please note that there is a 2-hour minimum for all recording and production sessions.
Once a session date and time are agreed upon, the artist may book the session by making a 50% deposit for the time booked. For hourly sessions, recording (tracking) and production sessions where the artist must be present must be booked separately from editing, mixing, and mastering sessions, where the artist’s presence is optional. Please note that there is a 2-hour minimum for all recording and production sessions.
Song/Project Sessions
For clients opting for the song or project rates, clients may book their first session by making a 50% deposit for the song/project in its entirety.
For clients opting for the song or project rates, clients may book their first session by making a 50% deposit for the song/project in its entirety.
All Sessions
Session availability is based upon staff availability for the session time requested. Cancellations or rescheduling must be requested at least 48 hours in advance. Cancellations not made at least 48 hours in advance will result in a charge of $20 that must be paid before booking or confirming a subsequent session. If the artist fails to arrive within 30 minutes after the session start time, the session will be canceled, and the artist will be deemed a “no-show” and will incur a charge of $20 that must be paid before booking or confirming a subsequent session. If an artist cancels without rescheduling or does not show up for a session 2 or more times, Chinchilla Studios reserves the right to terminate its relationship with the artist without refund, and any future work on current projects with Chinchilla Studios will be forfeited.
Session availability is based upon staff availability for the session time requested. Cancellations or rescheduling must be requested at least 48 hours in advance. Cancellations not made at least 48 hours in advance will result in a charge of $20 that must be paid before booking or confirming a subsequent session. If the artist fails to arrive within 30 minutes after the session start time, the session will be canceled, and the artist will be deemed a “no-show” and will incur a charge of $20 that must be paid before booking or confirming a subsequent session. If an artist cancels without rescheduling or does not show up for a session 2 or more times, Chinchilla Studios reserves the right to terminate its relationship with the artist without refund, and any future work on current projects with Chinchilla Studios will be forfeited.
Note: Please be prepared to provide project details and demos, previous works, or other performance samples before booking.
For Recording, Production, Editing, Mixing, and Mastering
Rates
Chinchilla Studios offers 3 types of rates: hourly rates, song rates, and project rates. Depending on which type of rate is chosen, the artist will be required to sign an accompanying Production Agreement.
Hourly rates are paid on a session-by-session basis, with 50% paid when booking a session and 50% paid at the end of a session. This option works best for artists who only want to make smaller payments at any given time or artists who are only looking for one specific service (recording, production, editing, mixing, mastering, etc.). Please note that artists who arrive late or finish early must still pay for the full time booked. Additionally, this option may be more expensive than the other options long-term if the artist is looking to complete multiple songs.
Song rates are paid on a song-by-song basis, with 50% of the entire song cost paid when booking the first session for a song and 50% paid once a song is mastered (before delivery). This rate is calculated based on 1) the hourly rates for recording (tracking), production, editing, mixing, and mastering, and 2) the estimated hourly needs of the song(s). This option works best for artists who don’t want to pay as much upfront but also don’t want to make payments every session.
Project rates are paid on a per-project basis, with 50% of the entire project cost paid when booking the first session of the project and 50% paid once the entire project has been mastered (before delivery). This rate is calculated based on 1) the hourly rates for recording (tracking), production, editing, mixing, and mastering, and 2) the estimated hourly needs of the project. This option works best for artists who don’t want to worry about recurring payments throughout the musical creation process.
Please note that there are no refunds. If the artist is not satisfied with the product and would like to take the project elsewhere, they may request the raw session stems from the sessions for a charge of $20.
Chinchilla Studios currently accepts cash, Cashapp, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.
Chinchilla Studios currently accepts cash, Cashapp, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.
Artist Responsibilities
The artist is responsible for coming prepared, including but not limited to having all music to be recorded already written, memorizing all lyrics, being well-rehearsed, providing their own instruments (including any strings, sticks, drumheads, or anything else that may need to be replaced during the recording process), and having the instruments prepared for recording (properly tuned, intonated, set up, and etc.). For best results, please restring/set up guitars the day of recording.
Receiving Product
Final products will only be given after all payments have been made. Final products may be transferred to a USB storage device provided by the artist or sent via WeTransfer to the artist’s e-mail address over the Internet. Any session files or stems (if requested) must be transferred to a USB storage device provided by the artist. Default final product format will be WAV and MP3. You may also request a low quality, watermarked copy of any work before it is finished, which may be e- mailed. All session files are subject to deletion after two months from the finishing date.
For Session Musician
Hiring Session Musicians
Hiring Session Musicians
Session musicians may be hired by the client to assist in the recording of vocals or instruments for songs and projects. Artists may choose to hire session musicians recommended by Chinchilla Studios or other session musicians. Chinchilla Studios is not responsible for any agreements made between artists and session musicians.
For Other Services
Score Creation
Score Creation
Score creation is based on the hourly rate. There is a 1-hour minimum for this service.
Revision Sessions
Revision sessions are based on the hourly rate. There is a 30-minute minimum for this service.
Event Sound
Event sound services run an hourly rate of $30 per hour plus $1 per 5 miles driven to and from the event location. The client must provide the music and venue. Chinchilla Studios may provide speakers, microphones, cables, a laptop, and a mixer. Chinchilla Studios will be responsible for running the sound and using the equipment.
Other Policies
Zero Tolerance Policy
Zero Tolerance Policy
There is zero tolerance for the use or possession of alcohol or drugs at Chinchilla Studios. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in the termination of Chinchilla Studios’s relationship with the artist without refund and the inability to book any future sessions.
Behavior Policy
Please be courteous and respectful to all staff members. Excessive foul behavior as deemed by Chinchilla Studios management may result in the termination of Chinchilla Studios’s relationship with the artist without refund and the inability to book any future sessions.