CROWDFUND YOUR recording session WITH
TRS LIVE
What is it?
TRS LIVE isn’t a concert; it’s a recording session with an audience.
TRS LIVE is a new model of recording session that makes recording more accessible by allowing you to directly offset the cost of recording by opening the doors to the community.
TRS LIVE is centered on your fans, friends, family, and community providing their support through ticketed entry and donation.
How does it work?
We’ve always found that musicians play best when they play together, at the same time, so that’s generally how we make records!
We purposely built multiple isolation rooms to allow musicians to perform together with amps & instruments isolated as needed. This allows for clean capture and the flexibility to do overdubs & fixes, while retaining the dynamic energy of performing together.
It also allows us to open the doors to an audience without sacrificing sonic quality. Rather, the flow of energy between artist and audience has elevated each and every TRS LIVE to a unique level that is wholly different from the usual artist/engineer dynamic.
You also still get multiple takes! You get a soundcheck recorded as well as one or two passes with the audience – depending how many performances you’d like to host. That ends up being up to three chances to give it your best (and we’re happy to edit between them).
For instances where amplifiers are isolated or instruments are being taken direct, we’ll either transmit the mix directly to the audience via wireless headphones -or- use our PA for reinforcement in the room.
How do tickets work?
As with any recording session, TRS LIVE has a set rate. Tickets (and donations) help to offset the cost so that you could walk away with anything from a discount to your recording costs completely funded. You could even bank credit for further work (mixing, mastering, overdubs, etc.) if you surpass your fundraising needs.
How do donations work?
Donations allow fans, friends, family, and community members who cannot attend the session to still support the artist. TRS LIVE is about crowdfunding and we don’t want scheduling conflicts or geographical barriers to keep your network from supporting you. Donations can be taken through our online ticketing platform.
How does promotion work?
We will notify our mailing list, make posts to our social media pages, and have the event put on the Seven Days digital calendar; however, the artist is responsible for their own promotion. This is because, ultimately, the artist is responsible for their own funding (as they are for any recording session). We recommend TRS LIVE bookings have two to three months of lead time. This ensures you have enough time to spread the word. In our experience, having extra lead time is only more beneficial to the artists.
What are the deliverables?
At the end of your session your guaranteed deliverables are:
- Professionally recorded multi-track audio exported as WAV Files and/or as a ProTools session.
- Professionally mixed stereo rough mixes of your sets.
What if I’m making an album?
If you’re planning to use your TRS LIVE session for an album, you can think of it as recording the basic tracks. You can use the stereo rough mixes for reference to: decide whether any overdubs/fixes are needed and/or to note overall mix changes. From there, we can book time for overdubs and/or mixing & mastering.
What if I just want promotional material?
If you just want to create high quality promotional material, no problem! Feel free to use the stereo rough mixes as promotional content. TRS LIVE is an affordable, community- driven way to create authentic, impactful content.
I see you’ve done photos and video in the past – how does that work?
Artists are welcome to hire a videographer and/or photographer; we have an amazing network of folks we are happy to connect you with.
Can I have my friend in a faraway studio do some more production and mixing?
Of course! Feel free to hand them the multi- tracks and/or the Pro Tools session file.
What if I want to vibe out the space for my guests? How does lighting and hospitality work?
We have a basic lighting & hospitality package included as part of TRS LIVE. However, you’re welcome to bring in outside hospitality, or additional lighting. If you need lighting or vendor recommendations, we’re happy to help!
Can I sell merch?
Of course you can! We can provide space and a table; you just need to manage the sales.
Are you sure this works?
Of all the TRS LIVE sessions we have done over the past few years, more than half of them have become official album releases. A number of these artists are even telling us these have been their most transformative performances to date, coupled with first class sonic fidelity.
We know this model works. It worked for:
Saturn People’s Sound Collective
‘Saturn People’s Sound Collective’
Recorded Live, Edited, Mixed & Mastered by TRS
Kyle Chadburn & The Earthbound Spirits
‘Live at The Tank’
Recorded Live, Mixed & Mastered by TRS
The Vermont Jazz Ensemble
‘Just Friends for Life’
Recorded Live, Edited, Overdubbed, & Mixed at TRS
The Morning Giants
‘Live at Tank 09.20.24’
Recorded Live, Edited, Mixed & Mastered at TRS
Evan Jennison
‘Live at Tank’
Recorded Live, Mixed & Mastered by TRS
High Summer
‘For The World’
Recorded Live, Edited, Overdubbed, Mixed & Mastered by TRS
EmaLou & The Beat
‘Simple Things: Live Holiday Album’
Recorded Live, Edited, Mixed & Mastered by TRS
LaMP
‘One Of Us (Live at Tank)’
Recorded Live, Mixed & Mastered by TRS
[Albums are linked above. Check out our YouTube Channel for videos. Photo Galleries can be found in our blog. Selected photos can be found below]
Why are you doing it this way?
Making an album can be a costly endeavor, in terms of both time and finances. As musicians are feeling the financial constraints of venues closing and gig opportunities narrowing, we’ve been asking ourselves how we as a recording studio can do our part to support the community. We feel the answer is in TRS LIVE. We believe supporting artists does not have to be limited to supporting them at a show. It can also include supporting your favorite artist up close and personal in the studio where the magic is made.
TRS LIVE:
Connecting the artist & the community, at the recording studio level.
