the dotmatrix project

We here at DMP are stoked to announce a partnership with Prez (owner) and Cesar Oviedo (chief engineer) at Studio 4, also based here in Greensboro, NC.

Looks like Cesar is happy too.

Here’s the press release:

Greensboro, N.C. – Local music media group, the dotmatrix project, is teaming up with Studio 4. This relationship will combine the recording and mixing expertise of DMP engineers, Dan Bayer & Don Ravon, with the mixing and mastering expertise of Studio 4, all at an exclusive discount to the featured musicians.

The DMP is a collective of musicians, photographers, videographers and sound engineers who put on and document live shows. Each month they rotate in original acts from Greensboro and surrounding counties in North Carolina. To date, the media team numbers more than 40 all-volunteer participants.

“The partnership falls into our plan of establishing relationships with local businesses that share our vision of building community around local, original musicians,” says Sean Coon, the executive producer for the dotmatrix project. “Until this partnership, the best live album we could produce was a high-quality, multi-track mix. The staff at Studio 4 brings 20 years of mastering expertise to the table with chief engineer Cesar Oviedo and, along with our engineers, a deeper, more fine-tuned final mix. We want our participating artists to be able to use their live album to book gigs or sell at shows, so the pressure is always on us to replicate the sound and vibe of a live show the best we can.”

Owner of Studio 4 Prez is excited about this effort, as it will increase the amount of local musician recording at his studio. “Our studio looks to be a thriving source of recording, mixing, and mastering for local and non local musicians alike,” Prez says. Studio 4 is a professional music recording and film production studio based out of Greensboro.

For inquires about the dotmatrix project, contact Sean Coon: sean@dotmatrixproject.com
For Studio 4 inquiries, contact Prez: prez.psyoptic@gmail.com

There are two specific elements of this partnership that I want to explicitly highlight for past and future bands:

1. Quality
   We were proud of our recordings prior to this arrangement, but quite honestly, the potential quality of our live albums has now been drastically improved. Don’t just take my word for it, listen to the difference yourself in these two versions of Bruce Piephoff’s track, Notes From Knoxville (live @ DMP):
    

   The original DMP mix:

   Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

   Mix collaboration with Studio 4 w/ album mastering:

   Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

   The differences in vocal levels, the new found twang in the guitar, the violin’s sweeping song, the umph of the upright bass — it really is an amazing improvement.

2. Cost
   Prez is a big supporter of local independent artists, so he was willing to provide these services at a ridiculously low, bargain basement price that allows each and every DMP musician to participate, from the veteran players to the garage rockers. As long as the artists are serious about the project and invest studio time to get the mix/master done right the first time through, the cost stays nominal. Guaranteed.

   It really is a sweet deal.

If you have a partnership idea that could serve you/your company well while positively adding to our project, definitely hit me up.