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“The recorded sound is warm, very well balanced, and natural in its atmosphere.”

— Henry Fogel
Fanfare (September/October 1998),
commenting on Daniel Catán’s opera
Rappaccini’s Daughter,
recorded live at Manhattan School of Music in 1997
for Newport Classics, Ltd.

The following policies and procedures for private recording sessions apply to undergraduate, graduate, and precollege students; staff; faculty; alumni; students from other institutions (ID required); and members of the outside community. To download a pdf of the Myers Recording Studio Fees & Charges Rate Card, click here.

If you have further questions, you may contact the following:

• For scheduling: J-O Begin, recording studio coordinator, at ext. 4075
• For technical issues: Kevin Boutote, chief recording engineer, by e-mail or at ext. 4406.

“How do I schedule a private recording session?”

1. Fill out, sign and submit a gold Private Session Request form in Room 234. If you are unable to come to the office in person, you may also fill out this form over the phone with the Myers Recording Studio at ext. 4075. Please be advised that you must sign the request form and recording release agreement at or before your recording session in order to receive any materials from your session.
2. Within five business days, Manhattan School of Music students will receive a phone call and written notification in their student folders as to whether or not the studio will be able to honor their private recording session requests. Faculty, staff, alumni, students from other institutions, and members of the outside community will be contacted by telephone and through standard mail.

“How early should I request my recording session?”

• The recording studio recommends that you submit your private recording session request form at least two weeks before the requested session date.
• Private recording sessions are recorded by advance request only. All recording studio services are available on a first come, first served basis and subject to venue and studio personnel availability.

“When can I make a private recording session?”

• Private recording sessions are available throughout the academic year and during the summer, but are subject to studio and recording personnel availability. Call ext. 4075 to find out about available session times. When you fill out your recording session request form, list alternate dates to increase the possibility that you may be accommodated.

“Where can I make my private recording session?”

• Myers Recording Studio will record private sessions in Myers (Room 240), Pforzheimer (Room 606), Miller Recital Hall, and Greenfield Hall. At the time of your session, please meet the engineer first at the Myers Recording Studio control room (Room 239).
• Special requests to record in Borden Auditorium or for over four hours in Greenfield Hall must be made to Christianne Orto, director of recording & distance learning, at ext. 4401. Private recording sessions under these circumstances require a special contract agreement and may include additional service charges such as hall rental, engineering and producing fees, stagehand fees, and piano tuning.

“Who records my private recording session?”

• Private sessions are recorded by Myers Recording Studio staff engineers only.
• You may request a producer for your recording session by contacting Myers Recording Studio at ext. 4075.

“What media does a private recording session include?”

• You will receive a master compact disc (CDR) of your private session. You may order a final compact disc or cassette of selected musical material or “takes” of your session for an additional charge. For specific fees, visit our Duplication Services page.

“How much time should I book for my session?”

• It is recommended that you schedule four times the complete length of the musical material, thereby allowing for warm-ups, breaks, and multiple takes. The first and last half-hours of your scheduled session time are needed for set-up and breakdown of studio equipment. You must be present, however; the studio will be open and available to you for session warm-up and rehearsal during these particular times. (For example, a two-hour recording session time slot includes one hour of actual recording time; a three-hour recording session time slot includes two hours of actual recording time.) You will not be charged for set-up or breakdown time.

“Can I have the piano tuned for my private recording session?”

• Manhattan School of Music performance hall pianos are maintained with the highest technical standards, and are tuned on a regular or daily basis by the Piano Technical Services department.

“What is the payment policy for private sessions?”

• To download a pdf of the Myers Recording Studio Fees & Charges Rate Card, click here. Full payment for private sessions is due at the end of the recording session. The recording studio accepts payment by check and money order only (credit cards are not accepted). Cash payments must be processed through the bursar’s office. Please be advised that transcripts and student records will be withheld if you have an outstanding bill with Myers Recording Studio.

“In what format are sessions recorded?”

• All recordings are done in a standard, two-track stereo format. Multi-track recording sessions may be done by special request, available in Myers Recording Studio (Room 240) only. For a downloadable pdf of the Myers Recording Studio Fees & Charges Rate Card information, click here.

“What if I need additional set-up for my session?”

• Myers Recording Studio is not responsible for providing chairs or stands. Contact the facilities office at ext. 4526 if you need to reserve these items for your recording session. In addition, the studio does not provide extension cords, amplifiers, or PA equipment.

“How do I cancel a private recording session?”

• If you must cancel your confirmed private recording session, notify the recording studio at ext. 4075. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the session time are subject to a cancellation fee of $35. You will be charged the full recording fee if you do not notify the recording studio of a cancellation.

“Do you offer videotaping services for private sessions?”

• No. However, we can recommend a list of videographers to you.

“Does Myers Recording Studio provide amplifiers and cables for jazz student private sessions?”

• No. Students are responsible for supplying their own amplifying equipment for recording sessions, recitals and other performances.

“Do you lend or rent recording equipment for sessions?”

• No. Myers Recording Studio does not lend or rent recording equipment under any circumstances.

“Does Myers Recording Studio provide editing services for private recording sessions?”

• At this time, Myers Recording Studio does not offer editing, mastering, or any other post production services to students. By special request, multi track mix down sessions can be requested by contacting the Chief Engineer at ext. 4406.

“Does Myers Recording Studio book activities in Room 240?”

• No, only the scheduling office books classroom use. To inquire about booking a classroom for activity use, contact the scheduling office at ext. 4479.

“What is a recording release agreement?”

• The release agreement states that in accordance with receiving permission to record with Myers Recording Studio, all individuals involved agree to abide by the contents of the agreement if the recording is used or distributed for anything other than personal purposes (e.g., promotional or commercial distribution). Anyone requesting a private recording session must read, sign and submit a recording release agreement. For a downloadable pdf of this document, click here.

“What do I need to know about copyright?”

For information regarding copyright law, please access the following Web sites:

• Harry Fox Agency, Inc., was established in 1927 as a musical copyright information source and licensing agency for the music industry. HFA currently represents more than 27,000 music publishers and is the premier licensing resource for the mechanical use of music reproduced in all formats and media.
• United States Copyright Office: Visit this site for information on the function and history of the Copyright Office, and details on the services they provide (including copyright registration). You can subscribe to the office’s free electronic newsletter from the site, or by sending an e-mail message to listserv@loc.gov. In the body of the message write: Subscribe USCopyright.
• Additional sources for information on copyright include the National Music Publishers Association (www.nmpa.org), the Copyright Society of the USA (www.csusa.org) and the Stanford Copyright & Fair Use Center (http://fairuse.stanford.edu/)