A great offer with stipulations
You probably saw our offer on Groupon and yes, it's legit but there's some terms you should know before purchasing. FIRST : Groupons are for new clients only. The client can't be accompanied by anyone who has had a session with us before. SECOND : Groupon bookings are ONLY Mon - Thurs 12-6pm. If you want evening or weekend booking we recommend our NEW CLIENT OFFER instead. THIRD : Groupons take 2-4 weeks to get in. We suggest contacting us as soon as you purchase. Read below for more detailed rules.
GROUPON
How to book a Groupon session
Step 1 : Visit the offer on Groupon either on your phone app or computer by clicking VIEW OFFER above
Step 2: Purchase the offer with Groupon. This offer is through GROUPON, we will not know wether or not you purchased a GROUPON unless you follow the next step
Step 3: Text the word GROUPON, the name of the purchaser and date of purchase to us at MCM Studios at 412-403-1086
Step 4: Someone from MCM Studios will contact you within 24 hours with our next available opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this? What will we do?
This is a recording session or studio session. For more experienced creatives, you know what this involves but you might be new reading this, so here's a little more in depth explanation. You have songs that are either original or covers or karaoke that you want to record to see what your vocal and beat would sound like professionally put together, that's what we do. In the time that you decide to book we will work towards this goal, crafting and coaching you to the best end product we can get with the ability and time you have. At the end of the session we will render/bounce the songs we created into MP3 so you can take them and listen to them outside of the studio. Our services are not limited to songs. We record on-site, audio books, voice over work for TV, Film and Internet and any type of instrument EXCEPT drums. Our location is a production studio equipped for singers, songwriters, rappers, spoken word artists, hobbyists, experimentalist and cover singers. We can also accommodate many other audio recording and creation tasks. If you see something that doesn't fit the description to what you're looking for, feel free to text us any additional questions 412-403-1086
How many songs can you get done?
We get this question from rappers and karaoke/cover singers the most. If you're looking to amass songs and you fall into either rapper, karaoke/cover singer categories we would say typically in a 3 hour session we would get 1 to 5 songs with a pretty decent mix on them by the end. These results vary wildly depending on a giant number of factors. Our best advice for anyone looking for a number is, set that goal but if you don't hit that number and say only get 3/5 songs done or even 1/5, don't look at it as a failure. We will constantly be moving the session in the best possible direction but being creative isn't as concrete as say, building something with your hands or working a shift at a job. Your voice fluctuates, we need to stop and think and make adjustments, take bathroom breaks, redo takes, render files and so much other unplanned scenarios. You have to work at the pace that gets work done but, keeps your creative energy free flowing. We have worked with clients in it simply for the number of songs and not the process and be dissatisfied in the end, not at us, but with themselves for not ad-hearing to this warning. With that said, come with an open mind, a goal and the willingness to keep moving forward while finding the enjoyment in the process, and you will be deeply satisfied regardless of the number and more satisfied with the overall progress.
What all do I get? Is Mastering included?
You will get a block of time private to you for your session, a experienced producer and engineer and a copy of what we worked on in WAV and/or MP3 to leave with at the end of the session. If you want a stemmed out version (tracked out) of anything we worked on, you must make that request at the beginning of the session so we can accommodate the time to organize the files to leave. We do not give the pro tools session itself. Even though we keep record of all of our work we are not responsible for back ups of any work.
A session does not include mastering, that is a separate fee.
Let us tell you, we have been in business almost a decade and have been practicing the art of audio recording and creation for double that and we can confidently say that anyone who says they will record, mix and master your work in a few hours no matter how cheap or expensive, are selling you a creative lie. When you purchase a block of time we will record, edit, mix and push the record(s) towards the done direction. Sometimes artists are happy with the in session mix and sometimes they want to either spend a little more time recording or opt to get a finalization or master on their recording. We won't know where we are and where we can go until we start but you can be confidant in working with MCM Studios that we will always try to find the path of least resistance, maximum creativity and productivity.
When does my session start? What if I'm late or don't show?
You're session starts and ends at the time and date designated. If you are late no time is added and if you don't show no refunds are given and there is no rescheduling. A $40.00 CANCELLATION / NO SHOW FEE must be paid before any future bookings or in addition to your future booking if you cancel your session or don't show under any circumstances. There's no exceptions to this rule.
How many people can I bring?
We suggest no more than 6 other guests besides yourself, 7 total.
When can I schedule my session?
Groupon bookings are Mon-Thurs 12-6pm. For premium night and weekend time slots we suggest purchasing our new client offer or a standard package.
If I need help will you help me?
Yes. Sometimes people need some help staying on track or maybe some advice to make a song better and that's what we're here to do. Maybe you know what you want, and that's even better. Mike HiTT adjusts to the skill level you're at to give you the most accommodating experience possible.
Do you supply the music/instrumental, where do I get music?
We do not supply the music unless you purchase a custom production package from our services. If you need music and you sing, rap or do covers we suggest looking for instrumentals or if you do covers the instrumental/karaoke version on Youtube. You can bring whatever music you'd like to record over. We are not responsible for any legal consequences of you using, releasing or selling your music. If you sing and play an instrument we can also accommodate that situation. When you book a session it's for RECORDING, IN SESSION MIXING and PRIVATE USE OF THE SPACE. It does not include instrumentals or mastering.
Can you come take a tour or do a walk through?
No. We believe that time (ours and yours) is the most important thing we have and that it is something to be valued. Because of this, we've found that investing in an actual session is a much better measure of whether or not we are a good fit for you. This gives you and us the opportunity to actually work together and create something for you to leave with rather than sitting or standing around wasting time. A quick google search of MCM Studios Pittsburgh will give you more information about our style, vibe and work ethic than any 5 minute tour will ever do.
The fine print
Rule 1 : Once the Groupon is purchased you must text us the word GROUPON, the name of the purchaser and date of purchase or we will not know you purchased a GROUPON since the financial transaction is handled through them. Groupons are good for 4 months from the date of purchase. If you contact us after that time the Groupon will only be worth the value paid for it towards a session of the same type. Do not contact us with a few weeks left on your Groupon or you might not get in before your Groupon expires. We are not responsible for your life circumstances of why you couldn't get it scheduled within 4 months. That is your responsibility to make sure you read our site, do your research and understand the rules. If you don't think you'll be able to fulfill your offer within 4 months, don't purchase it till you know you can.
Rule 2: Sessions start and end at the allotted time slot. Come late, that's your time, don't show, you'll owe the $40 Cancellation fee/no show fee before you can reschedule with your Groupon.
Rule 3: Don't arrive any more than 10 minutes early to your session. Sometimes we run sessions back to back and we do not have a waiting room and don't want anyone hanging outside of the establishment. Nobody who has recorded with us in the past is allowed to be present during your GROUPON session.
Rule 4: Once you have your session scheduled follow the details of your text confirmation and/or email confirmation carefully and closely. They will help you start off your visit on the right foot.
Rule 5: Bring up to 6 people with you but those people are your responsibility. We are not responsible for you or their items, actions or words. If there is any issues the session will end without a refund and you will not be permitted to book with us in the future. Be aware of who you are bringing as well as yourself.
Rule 6: Any and all work is done in session. Once the sessions ends if you want more mixing, mastering, files emailed or any adjustments made they will be billed at the appropriate fee. No exceptions.
Rule 7: We are here to make music. During that time we will be professional, communicative, diligent, respectful, understanding, open minded and focused and we expect the same in return from everyone in attendance.
