Committed to your sound.
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Frequently Asked Questions

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Got a question about Clear Track Studios? We’ve got you covered! Chances are, we’ve already answered it. Take a look at the FAQs below to find what you’re looking for!

 
 
 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Our address is:

    Clear Track Studios
    814 Franklin Street
    Clearwater, FL 33756

    We are located in Downtown Clearwater, right before the bridge to beautiful Clearwater Beach.

  • Our manager, Colleen Bradham, is available to take calls and book sessions daily from 10 AM to 10 PM. While Clear Track Studios operates 24/7, all sessions are by appointment only - no walk-ins. Our engineers run sessions at all hours, but booking in advance is required.

  • Great news - you’re in luck! Our superhuman communicator, Colleen Bradham, is here to help. Whether you need info, a booking, or just reassurance that you can hit that high note, here’s how to reach her:

    Whatever you need, Colleen’s got you covered. Just don’t try carrier pigeon - we haven’t trained those (yet).

  • Yes! We give tours by appointment only so give us a call at 727.449.8888 so we can schedule it for you.

  • Nope! Consultations to go over the details of your project with us are always free.

  • We have two airports close to our location. 

STUDIO INFO & EQUIPMENT

  • All five of our studios specialize in different things:

    • Studio A specializes in large productions and multi-musician recordings, mixing and mastering.

    • Studio B specializes in recording vocals and single instrumentation.

    • Studio S (The Sky Lab) is a dual-purpose mixing room for both stereo mixing & Dolby ATMOS mixing.

    • Studio M specializes in recording, mixing and mastering all genres of music.

    • Studio C is a writing, pre-production studio.

  • Back in 2008, the brilliant Wes Lachot designed our stunning Studio A, setting the foundation for world-class sound.

    From there, Mike Johnson - Clear Track's owner - took the reins, designing Studios S, M, B, and C. With the help of close friends and trusted collaborators, he didn't just build studios - he built a creative home for artists.

    What started as a vision is now a state-of-the-art recording facility - and we're just getting started!

  • Check out our Equipment page to see the full list of what we use to produce, record, edit, mix and master. 

  • Our wide variety of industry standard microphones are all listed on our Equipment page.

BOOKINGS & PAYMENTS 

  • That's awesome! Let's make it happen. 

    • Call Colleen at the front desk: 727-449-8888

    • Text her directly: 727-420-2593

    • Fill out our contact form - She will get back to you within 24 hours to set up a consultation, studio tour, or provide a quote.

    Whether you have a fully written song or just an idea, we're here to bring it to life!

  • Booking is easy! Here's how:

    We'll go over studio and engineer availability with you. To lock in your session, we require a 50% deposit, with the balance due at the start of your session.

    Payment Options
    We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, money orders, and cash. (Note: A 3-4% fee applies to credit/debit and PayPal transactions.)

    For more details, check out our Procedures & Policies page. Let's make some music! 

  • It depends on which studio room you book and a few key details. Give us a call at 727-449-8888 and let us know:

    1. Your style/genre

    2. Whether you're recording vocals and/or instruments

    3. How many songs you're recording

    With this info, we'll match you with the best studio and engineer for your project and provide a price estimate. Each studio has its own hourly rate, which includes the engineer fee. Let's talk and get you booked! 

  • We have standard hourly rates for each of our studios. We do not list them as we tailor every quote to exactly what the artist is looking for which can actually save them time and money. To inquire about our hourly rates and block specials, give our Front Desk a call at 727.449.8888or send us a message hereand we will be happy to review your options. 

  • We offer discounts, specials and giveaways periodically. The best way to stay "in the know" and take advantage of our sweet deals is by subscribing to our Email List and following us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We send out emails 2-3 times a month and we post daily on social media.

  • No. We require a 50% deposit to secure your time on the schedule for the studio and for the engineer. The balance is due upon arrival for your session.

  • Please notify Management 48 hours in advance if you need to reschedule. If you notify Management to reschedule in LESS than 48 hours, the initial 50% deposit is forfeited.  This action is required to prevent the loss of re-booking the Studio and the Engineer to another client. 

  • Appointment times have been arranged specifically for you. If you arrive late, your session may be shortened in order to accommodate others whose sessions follow yours. Depending upon how late you arrive, your engineer will then determine if there is enough time remaining to start the session. Regardless of the length of the session, you will be responsible to pay for the entire session. Out of respect and consideration to your engineer and other clients, please plan accordingly and be on time.

AUDIO RECORDING

  • For Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, Pop, Acoustic and Voiceover sessions, you will most likely be in our Studio B or Studio A. One of our incredible engineers will set up your microphone, prepare the track and record you as you go. 

    For Bands, Choirs, Jazz and other extensive instrumental sessions, you will most likely be in our Studio A. One of our phenomenal engineers will set up mics, prepare the track and record you as you go. Our engineers work closely with the artist so that the final product is perfect! 

  • An Audio Engineer is a highly skilled audio professional responsible for proficiently utilizing all of our state-of-the-art equipment to obtain the highest quality audio of any singer, instrumentalist, and musician who records. 

  • An audio engineer plays one of two roles, depending on what you need:

    • Producer/Co-Producer – Helps develop your music, refine your sound, and guide the creative direction.

    • Engineer – Focuses purely on recording and technical aspects, ensuring everything runs smoothly and sounds great.

    Want hands-on guidance or just a smooth session? Let us know what works best for you!

  • We provide a great team of highly skilled, hand-picked audio engineers who specialize in recording, editing and mixing real time audio in all 5of our studios. You can learn more about who we trust with your music by going to Our Team page. 

  • We record it all! Pop, EDM,Rock, Indie, Alternative,Hip Hop, R&B,Country, Americana,Acoustic, Live,Classical, Jazz, Gospel, Metal, Punk, Prog Rock, New Wave, Folk, Bluegrass, Swing, Ambient, Jazz, Christian, Adult Contemporary, Doo Wop, Dance, Funk, etc.

    Outside of music, we also record Voiceovers for commercials, television shows, cartoons, video games, movies, audio books, etc. 

MUSIC PRODUCTION

  • Absolutely! We have producers that work in every genre who can guide you and your music in the right direction. You can learn more about this service and our brilliant producers by going to our Music Production page.

  • Think of a music producer as the director of your song—guiding every element to create the best possible final product.

    In the past, producers were mainly responsible for managing budgets and ensuring songs would sell. Today, their role is much more creative. They shape the sound, direct performances, and bring together all the elements needed to make a song a hit.

    Great producers don’t just record music; they elevate it.


  • A producer will help bring your vision to life by:

    • Fine-tuning performances – Coaching singers, perfecting instrument tones, and ensuring the best possible takes.

    • Guiding the session – Keeping things on track and making sure every decision supports your sound.

    • Using expert ears & tech skills – Balancing pitch, tone, emotion, and production quality for a professional final product.

    • Orchestrating the entire process – Directing musicians, engineers, and creative elements to craft something exceptional.

  • We have 3 producers at Clear Track is Spencer Bradham, DY Ronan & MarLovace.

  • Most of the time, yes!

    • Many producers start as engineers, giving them the technical skills to capture great recordings.

    • They’re also expert editors, fine-tuning and polishing performances in post-production.

    • A producer who’s also an engineer can handle every aspect of a session, ensuring total control over the sound and final product.

    The best producers are both creative visionaries and technical experts.

SONGWRITING & COMPOSING

  • Almost every single genre out there! Any client can either utilize the songwriting talents of our in-house producers who have developed numerous songs for our clients. Or we can refer you to our affiliate producers and songwriters that we have developed relationships with throughout the nation. Go to our Production page to listen to a few examples of songs written by our team. 

  • This really depends on the genre. A few examples: for pop, the artist and producer come together and discuss what the artist is looking to create and the influence they're looking to base the song after and the producer either begins to compose during the meeting or does so at a different time, sends the files to the artist for tweaks or revisions, and then prepares the track for vocals. For bands, the band and the producer either work on songwriting in a practice space or during a recording session. 

  • No. This is separate fee determined by the songwriter/composer you're working with. This will be established in the beginning stages of working with us. 

  • Absolutely! Our producers and songwriters can craft a custom song just for you—lyrics, melody, and full production.

    Here’s how it works:

    • Tell us your vision – Love song? Breakup anthem? Something totally unique?

    • Share your inspirations – Example: “I want something like Taylor Swift’s ‘Wildest Dreams.’”

    • We tailor it to you – Our team will create a song that matches your style and message.

    Want to get started? Call us at 727.449.8888 or send us a message!

  • Absolutely! We have Producers & Songwriters who are well-versed in arranging, programming and composing music to fit with any lyricists songs. 

  • That depends. Each songwriter and producer has different contracts customized to each project. Sometimes, an artist is able to obtain the exclusive rights. This often depends on the upfront cost. 

MIXING & MASTERING

  • Mixing is the final step in shaping your song after recording. A mix engineer takes your raw tracks and blends them into a polished, balanced mix by:

    • Setting levels – Ensuring every instrument and vocal sits just right.

    • EQ & Compression – Enhancing clarity and dynamics.

    • Stereo Panning – Creating space and depth.

    • Adding Effects – Reverb, delay, and more to bring your song to life.

    Think of it like cooking: Recording captures the ingredients, mixing blends them into a perfect dish. Want to dive deeper? Check out our Mixing & Mastering page!

  • Mixing is what makes your song sound professional—it balances every element, improves clarity, and ensures your track competes with commercial releases.

    Even the best-recorded song won’t sound right without a proper mix. It’s the key to:

    • Making your music feel polished & powerful

    • Sounding professional on all platforms (radio, streaming, TV, etc.)

    • Getting your song industry-ready

    At Clear Track Studios, we’ve designed dedicated mixing rooms so our engineers can maximize quality and speed up the process.

  • A mix engineer is a studio pro who specializes in bringing out every detail in your song. Unlike recording engineers who capture performances, mix engineers fine-tune the sound using:

    • EQ & Compression – Making every element blend seamlessly.

    • Advanced Mixing Techniques – Enhancing depth, space, and tone.

    • Critical Listening Skills – Ensuring nothing gets overlooked.

    They’re the MacGyvers of the studio, using expert precision to make your song sound its best.

  • Mastering is the process of turning a song or collection of songs into a final master for manufacturing so that it translates well across systems: CD player, radio, computer, car stereo, phone, bluetooth speakers, headphones, etc. You can learn more about mastering by going to our Mixing & Mastering page. 

  • Mixing is the one people absolutely have to have. But good mastering can make a track sound great and make it sound comparable to commercial releases. Part of mastering is also getting all of the songs to have consistency across the album in volume and tonal balance. 

SESSION MUSICIANS

  • A session musician is a freelance professional musician who can perform what the producer or writer needs for their song. 

  • We have several session musicians we refer to for numerous projects. You can view our main, tried & true session musician team on our Session Musicians page.

  • Session musicians typically do not play out shows with clients because they are very busy musicians and are often booked out weeks in advance with their own bands. However, if they're available (and for a fee) it is possible they could play a show for any client. Assumed it would not be a regular occurrence.

COURSES & TRAINING

  • We offer nine hands-on training programs for aspiring and advanced engineers, producers, songwriters, and beat makers - teaching the skills needed to create, mix, and enhance professional-quality music.

    Our courses are affordable, hands-on, and industry-driven. No crowded classrooms, overpriced tuition, or outdated manuals - just personalized training from experts who live and breathe music.

  • Anyone passionate about music production! Whether you're a beginner, songwriter, beat maker, or experienced engineer, our programs help you refine your skills and record professionally.

    Even Recording Arts majors use our courses to supplement their education and gain real-world confidence. If you've pressed record before and have the passion to learn, you're ready to start!

  • For our group courses, these start up 4 times a year. For our 1-on-1 courses, start dates can be ANYTIME based on instructor and studio availability - we are flexible and can work with your schedule!

  • Pricing ranges from $3000-$5000 per course. While this may see daunting to some, these prices are quite reasonable compared to other programs, colleges and universities that normally charge $70,000+ for tuition. We do not have any pre-requisite classes nor any additional fees (ie. Admission Fees, Registration Fees, Student Fees, Technology Fee, Books & Supplies, Housing, etc) so we can keep our tuition very low. 

  • Our courses give you the foundation, skills, and hands-on experience to succeed in the music industry. Your growth depends on your dedication, practice, and how you apply what you learn.

    Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with real-world training and ongoing guidance from our instructors, you’ll be equipped to create, record, and enhance high-quality music like a pro.

  • Absolutely! Our courses teach the key concepts used by pro engineers and producers - far beyond just learning the tools.

    You'll get hands-on experience in a real studio, so you can apply these skills in your own home setup and achieve better quality recordings as you grow.

  • Our courses are not state-certified, but you'll receive a certificate of training inside a professional studio.

    In the music industry, degrees don't get you hired - your work does. Studio owners, producers, and executives care about your recordings, mixes, and productions. Experience, people skills, ethics and connections matter more than a diploma.

  • Yes! Real studio experience is essential, and most programs lack enough hands-on training.

    If you're a Recording Arts major or planning to study music production, our courses complement your education by providing practical, real-world experience and boosting your confidence in the studio.

  • Yes! Real studio experience is the key to getting hired. Some of our most dedicated graduates have interned at Clear Track - and a few have even become paid freelance engineers.

    Most studios want skilled, studio-ready interns, not just degree holders. Without hands-on experience, many interns end up making coffee instead of making music.

    Our courses give you practical training in a real, working studio, so you can skip the learning curve and prove your value from day one. Don't waste time hoping for opportunities - get the experience that makes studios take you seriously.