frequently asked questions
30 min. Consultation
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booking / grants & funding / recording, mixing & mastering / about monopolized / the label
How can I contact you?
Reach me by email by clicking this button or filling out this contact form here. Happy to chat with you!
When should I book?
It's best to book your session in advance, ideally 3 to 4 months ahead, especially for longer sessions. Feel free to reach out as there are often openings I'd like to fill.
How does payment work?
Please arrive at the studio ready to pay for your session. For bands from outside of Canada or if a third party is covering costs, full session payment is due before recording starts. A 25% deposit is required for all sessions. Monopolized now accepts credit card payments via Stripe.
Do you offer instalment plans?
Yes, instalment plans are an option. Get in touch, and I'll work with your budget.
It's my first time recording, what do I do?
Whether you're a new artist recording your debut track or a seasoned musician seeking a reliable studio for your next release, Monopolized is here to support your artistic journey. Reach out to discuss your project, and I'll provide personalized guidance. For more insight on the recording process, keep on reading.
Do you Offer studio tours or Studio Visits?
Yes! Drop me a line to visit, feel out the space and discuss an upcoming project. You can also tour the studio virtually here.
what are suitable recording projects?
Client projects can include but are not limited to: music projects, vocals, stand-up, podcasts, audiobooks, voice overs, audio for video, and more. If you have a question, reach out.
Can I book an hour of your time to help troubleshoot a project or set up?
If you're new to the music industry or eager to learn about production and recording techniques, I offer mentorship sessions tailored to help you develop your skills and achieve your musical goals.
Can I get help with a grant application?
If you sign on to record at Monopolized, I offer free grant consultations to help you with funding opportunities for your music projects.
Or, I offer mentorship sessions tailored to help you develop your skills and achieve your musical goals. Learn more about Mentorship pricing here.
I'm a singer/songwriter without a band, what are my options?
If you're a songwriter needing extra accompaniment or a full band for your recording, I can help find the right players. Just keep in mind, musician fees are separate from studio costs. I can play several instruments and add to your tracks, but I'm not a pro session musician. Getting the right person for the job can save you time and money in the long run.
What are the steps to making a finished recording?
Are you in a band looking to record an album, EP, or single? Whether it's your first time in a studio or you've already demoed some material at home, understanding the recording process can make a big difference. Here’s a breakdown of the 4 key steps:
Pre-Production: This initial step involves recording a demo or rough version of your song(s) to a grid. This helps in preparing a solid foundation to build on in the studio.
Tracking: This is where the magic begins. Tracking involves capturing all the elements of the song(s) into a multitrack session, allowing each element to be independently balanced. This can be done with all musicians playing together or by adding elements individually, or a combination of both.
Mixing: In this stage, the multitrack session is balanced down to a stereo mix. While some studios offer Dolby ATMOS mixes, I focus on traditional stereo mixes, which are industry standard and what you typically hear on streaming services and vinyl records. Mixing fine-tunes the balance of the elements to ensure they sound great in any listening environment. It’s also the final chance to make any tonal adjustments, like adding more reverb to vocals, for example.
Mastering: The final step before distribution. Mastering involves listening to the single or collection of songs as a whole, ensuring they have a cohesive sound. It’s about more than just making the music loud; it involves sequencing and achieving the overall "feel" of the release to compete with popular tracks.
How can I contact you?
Send me at email by using this contact form, or book a free 30-minute consultation.
Where can I learn more about you?
You can explore other sections of this website, the Tour the Studio page is a good place to start. Here's a select list of press featuring Monopolized:
What's Monopolized?
Monopolized operates as both a audio recording studio with a number of services and a record label. While some records are recorded and released under Monopolized, these services are independent of each other. Although it's a dual-faceted business, the primary focus of Monopolized is on its recording studio services.
Who is corey?
Corey Bonnevie is me. I am the person behind Monopolized. For better or worse, it's just me.
I've been writing, recording, and releasing music since the age of 16. Yes, it was that early, yes the recordings sucked, and yes the releases had glue on the CDs. With over 15 years of experience now, things have gotten a lot better! In the Saint John community I'm known as a general music person. I took a post secondary for audio engineering, so I view the recording and live sound part of my life as a trade. The writing and releasing music side of the business are 100% passion projects. I started Monopolized because everything was DIY and I needed an umbrella for the studio and the releases I was working on. So this is it. This is Monopolized. This is me.
What does Monopolized offer as a record label?
The Monopolized record label is a very DIY label, so technically not much. Most of the artist Monopolized represents are bands that I play in or are within the Saint John community. There's no big contracts or big promises. Mostly helping out with administration for releases. No big budget albums, no top 40 singles. Perhaps things would change if someone from the Monopolized family hits off, but for now, super DIY with no budgets :)
