1. Fill out an order form. This form will provide us with the necessary information about you and your song. You will also be asked to select your song's MP3 guide mix on your hard drive. An "MP3 guide mix" is merely an MP3 file of a mix of your song that will be used as a reference for recording the steel track. When you submit the form, your data and the song file that you select will be transferred to us. If you would like to send us more than one song, please submit a separate form for each song.
   
   
2. You will also be asked to submit a chord chart if you have one. (This is not mandatory). A chart written using the "Nashville number system" is preferred, although letter-name chord charts or conventional notation are also accepted. We can accept most of the popular file types (.doc, .pdf, .jpg, .xls, .txt, etc.). Lyric sheets are welcome but are not mandatory.
   
   
3. After successfully submitting your order form, you will receive a confirmation. You will have the opportunity to pay your deposit at that time.
   
   
4. Once your deposit is received, your steel track will be recorded. When the track is completed, an MP3 proof mix of your song, with the steel guitar track mixed in, will be emailed to you for your approval.
   
   
5. If the steel track meets with your approval, send us an email to let us know. You will then be sent an invoice via email that will allow you to pay the balance due.
   
   
6. After your final payment payment has been received, we will send you an email containing instructions for downloading your steel track. If you prefer to have your file(s) mailed to you on a CD, we would be happy to do so for a small fee to cover the shipping costs.

So how much does it cost?

Steel guitar tracks are $100.00 (US) per song. You are free to use them however you please, royalty-free. We do ask that you give proper credit in your liner notes or other credit information.

A deposit of $50.00 (US) per song is required before any steel tracks are recorded. This deposit is to help assure us that the sender has serious intentions. If, after review of the MP3 proof mix of your song, the steel track is not acceptable, your deposit will be refunded.

So how long does it take?

Turn-around time can vary from several hours to several days or even weeks, depending on our production schedule at the time you order your track. We will make every effort to deliver your track as fast as possible, but we will never compromise quality for speed. If time is of the essence for you, please let us know and we will give you our best estimate as to when you can expect to receive your track.

So how can I be sure I'll get what I want?

We guarantee that you will be satisfied with the steel track. If you aren't, we will do our best to make it right. If we can't come to an agreement, you will owe nothing, and all deposits will be refunded.

So who am I dealing with anyhow?

We have owned and operated Cherry Ridge Studio for over 15 years, and have an excellent reputation for quality work and fair treatment. Feel free to visit this site for reviews and testimonials of our work.

 

We can provide steel guitar tracks in the following formats:

• .wav (16 or 24 bit, @44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, and 192 kHz sample rates)
  
• .aiff 16 or 24 bit, @44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, and 192 kHz sample rates)
  
• .sd2 (16 or 24 bit, @44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, and 192 kHz sample rates)
  
• .paf (16 or 24 bit, @44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sample rates)
• .mp3 (@44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sample rates)
  

*If you require a format that is not listed, please contact us.

*All tracks will be recorded dry (with no effects) unless otherwise requested.

 

Tips for making your MP3 guide mixes:

It doesn't have to be a perfect, finished product, but we do have the following suggestions:

• Make sure the file name of your guide mix closely matches the actual title of your song.
  
  
• Make sure there is a count-off or some other cue (drum loop, click, etc.) at the start of the song. This will be copied onto the front of the steel track to allow you to properly line it up to your song.
  
  
• Make the lead vocal about 40% to 50% lower than it would be in the final mix.
  
  
• Make sure the intonation of the instruments in the guide mix is as good as it can be.
  
  
• If there are severe timing issues, please do whatever editing you plan to do before you send the guide mix.

If you have any questions , please email us at