The goal of the RAS staff is to support the mission of CIM by creating professional-level recordings and making services as accessible as possible. Each school year, the Recording Arts & Services (RAS) department is responsible for recording about 350 concerts, recitals, recording sessions and rehearsals for CIM faculty, students and alumni. The RAS team also manages the PA system and mobile audio/video projection requests, maintains studio audio/video equipment and creates duplications of recordings.

Rates & Policies

Degree Recitals

Student degree recitals are audio/video recorded at no additional charge. Audio and video files are delivered free via digital delivery. CDs are $10 and DVDs are $15.

Recording Sessions

A recording session is a block of time in which you can record, in audio and video, musical works of your choosing in either concert hall. This service is useful if you need to make a recording for an audition or competition. Afterward, mastered audio and video files will be created of all your takes within one week.

Scheduling a session, schedule a hall time by filling out the Recording Session Request Form. Please make sure to request a reservation at least 3 weeks prior to your desired recording date. If you are unsure of hall availability or have any questions, you can contact Christopher Jordan. You will receive a confirmation email for your reservation. 

Before the session, arrive on time, rested and prepared (warmed up). Wear comfortable/appropriate clothing and shoes that don’t squeak. It might be helpful to bring a trusted friend or teacher to your session to act as the producer. Recording engineers may not be qualified to give musical advice and will not be held responsible for any musical decisions that are made during the session. The engineer will arrive 30 minutes prior to your session start time, and will meet you and answer any questions. The engineer or stage manager will help set up the stage.

During the session, the first 10 minutes or so will be spent doing a sound check. We strongly advise you to watch and listen to the sound check afterward in the studio. That way, any audio or video changes can be made at your discretion before you record any full takes. When you are ready to begin, the engineer will call a "take" number before each of your run-throughs. You can do as many run-throughs as you need within the allotted time. You may communicate directly with the engineer during the entire session. Just speak normally; the engineer will hear you and respond.

After the session, you will receive your audio and video files and invoice for your session. This typically takes around 3 business days to process. Pay this invoice in the Business Office at your earliest convenience. Mastered audio and video files of every recorded take will be sent to you via Google Drive, where you can download them. Each take will be its own file. These are mastered takes, meaning they are ready to use. All talking and long pauses have been taken out. They are sent 3-5 business days after the session date. If you need them sooner, there is $15 rush fee.

Files or Discs: It is your responsibility to know what media files are required for your application or audition. Make sure to discuss your final product when booking your session. Audio and Video files are emailed as a standard, but can be transferred to a CD or DVD with an additional fee (CD 10$, DVD 15$). You can request a CD or DVD of your session within the Recording Session Request Form.

Cancellations must be made at least one business day prior to your session and during business hours. If you fail to do so, you will be charged the full recording fee and your reserved hall time will be deducted from your 8-hour annual maximum (for students only). Cancellations must be called in or emailed to the Recording Arts & Services Office.

Restricted times: Recording Arts & Services and Concerts & Events will notify you of any restricted times before you schedule your session. When school is not in session, scheduling depends on the availability of our engineers.

Audio Editing:  We do not permit edits within the music.

Labeling: If you would like us to print disc labels for you, please fill out a Disc Label form. We are only able to print black text on white labels (no graphics).

Check your order. We try very hard to make sure every order is delivered without problems. It is important that you review any products you receive. If there are errors, we will fix them as quickly as possible.

Miscellaneous: It is possible that the hall is taken directly before or after your recording session. Check with Concerts & Events to find out the exact hall schedule. You will be billed for the amount of hall time reserved. An 8% tax is added to all subtotals. For all orders that require discs made, a bill is created once the final product is ready.

CIM Copyright Policy states that all performances incorporated in sound recordings, video recordings and broadcast transmissions occurring at CIM belong to CIM and can be used for promotional, recruiting, website or any other media usage for CIM and its affiliates.

You have the right to copy your recording session as you see fit. However, you are responsible for seeking all licenses necessary for the use and copy of the recording and become liable for any legal consequences. Legally, you are not allowed to sell any recording of a recording session for your own personal gain (profit).

Please see the Student Handbook, read the copyright statement on this web site, or stop by our office for full copyright description.

Fees

  • Audio Recording (per hour): $50
    • Includes mastered audio files
  • Audio and Video Recording (per hour): $60
    • Includes mastered audio and video files
  • Each CD: $10
  • Each DVD: $15
  • Rush: $15
Duplications

Recording Arts & Services offers duplication services to current CIM students, faculty and staff. RAS also offers archival duplications for CIM alumni and can create audio and video files, or CDs and DVDs, of material you provide. The RAS team can transfer cassettes, DATs and some reel-to-reels to CD.

RAS adheres to and advises on copyright law, and may not complete any duplication that does not conform to copyright and/or fair use.

To make a request, please fill out the Duplication Request Form. RAS can only fulfill duplication requests for events that you performed in or for events where your composition was performed. Students may not order faculty recitals or another student's recital, even with permission from the performer.

Fees

  • Audio and video files (internet-ready, sent via Microsoft OneDrive)
    • Degree Recital: $10 per piece, $15 for entire event
    • Orchestra: $10 per piece, $15 for entire event
    • Opera and Opera Scenes: $10 per act or scene, $15 for entire event
    • IQS, APT, Intensive Duo, Woodwind or Brass or Percussion Ensemble, New Music, Class Recital, Concerto Competition, Milhaud Performance Prize, and Preparatory: $10 per piece, $15 for entire event
  • Playable media 
    • CD: $10 each or $15 for opera/orchestra sets
    • DVD: $15 each or $20 for opera/orchestra sets
Archive Retention

Recording Arts & Services maintains a permanent archival collection of master recordings. Doctoral recitals and recorded events in the Concert Series guide are kept forever. These include:

  • Orchestra
  • Opera
  • Faculty Recitals
  • New Music Ensemble
  • Chamber Music Ensembles
  • Preparatory & Continuing Education

Other recordings may be available for duplications until 2 academic years after the performance date. It is imperative that students take responsibility for securing, in a timely manner, collections of their own recordings and maintaining them for future use.

Livestream

Recording Arts & Services streams all Concert Series events and student recitals using Livestream. Subscribe to our channels to receive news on upcoming events.

Mixon Hall
https://livestream.com/cimmixonhall

Kulas Hall
https://livestream.com/cimkulashall

Livestream FAQ

Q:  Am I required to stream my recital?

A: No, you are not required to stream your recital. You may opt out at the time you sign up for your recital, or at any time prior to the performance beginning. CIM will not force anyone to use be live webcast.

Q:  How can I opt out of the webcast?

A: You can opt out by visiting the Recording Arts & Services Office any time prior to your recital. You can even opt out during your recital: simply visit the recording booth and let the engineer know you do not want to live webcast. For Kulas recitals, the engineer will be in Room 230. For Mixon Recitals, the engineer will be in Room SO16.

Q:  What if my teacher does not want me to webcast?

A: Only you, the student giving the recital, can opt out. If the teacher feels strongly, they must discuss it with you, and you must notify Recording Arts & Services or the engineer.

Q:  What if I opt out and change my mind, and DO want to live webcast?

A: You must notify us at least one week prior to your recital date if you would like your recital streamed. The engineer recording your recital will not be able to initiate the live webcast in the moment if you have previously opted out. Notice must be delivered to the Recording Arts & Service Office (Room 114) by phone, email or in person.

Q:  Will the webcast remain online after my recital?

A: The webcast is a live webcast only. The video will not be archived online, nor will it be available for viewing after the conclusion of the recital. This is a live event; once the recital is over, the webcast is over.

Q:  Is there a charge for the live webcast?

A: No, there is no charge.

Q:  Will my recital still be recorded?

A: Yes, your recital will still automatically be recorded whether you webcast or not. You will receive a CD and video files a few days after your recital, still free of charge.

Q:  Where will my recital be webcast?

A: We use Livestream.com. One week prior to your recital, the Recording Arts & Services Office will provide you with a link to the webcast so that you may share it with family and friends, as well as post on your social media if you wish.

Q:  How reliable is Livestream?

A: We make every effort to use high quality equipment and keep it well-maintained. However, it is technology and it requires moving a large amount of data over a network connection. While we expect a near perfect success rate, things can go wrong. Despite our belief in the integrity of the system and the thorough training our recording engineers have received, sometimes network or computer technology fails us. We are reliant upon the CWRU network; we expect issues to be rare, but we cannot discount the possibility of technical issues. For this reason, parents, family, friends and teachers should understand that the live webcast is not guaranteed.Travel arrangements, or lack thereof, should not be made based on the possibility of a live webcast.

Copyright
FAQs

How do I…

Schedule a recording session?

Fill out the the Recording Session Request Form. The Recording Scheduling Coordinator will contact you regarding your request.

Request for my recital to be recorded and on Livestream?

Check the boxes for audio/video recording and Livestream when you submit your recital confirmation form through the Concerts & Events Office. You do not need to do anything else.

Get a recording of a performance?

Fill out a Duplication Request form through the Recording Arts & Services Office. You can only request copies of concerts in which you performed.

Rent a device to record myself?

Stop by the CIM Robinson Music Library to reserve a recording device. 

Pay my invoice?

We are working on an online payment portal, but in the meantime, the Business Office accepts all forms of payment in person, and credit card payment is accepted over the phone.               

What is…

  • A video file vs. a playable DVD? Video files come in different formats, but the most commonly used is .MP4. This is an internet-ready video file that can uploaded to YouTube and many other sites. Pre-screening is very popular at present;  video recordings are required for many summer festivals, competitions and college programs. This file may be shared with you via Google Drive or delivered to you on a DVD, where the DVD acts as a data carrier like a flash drive. MP4 files will not play in a standard DVD player, but will play on a computer.

    A playable DVD is our terminology for a .MP2 formatted video. This type of video is only available on a DVD, and can be played in a standard DVD player or on a computer. This format is appropriate for organizations that require a disc to be mailed in with application materials. MP2 video content cannot be emailed or uploaded, but can only be played in a DVD player.
  • An audio file vs. a CD? We deliver all audio content on CD. CDs can be played in any CD player, and can be imported into your computer using any media player such as iTunes or Windows Media Player. You can import a full resolution .WAV (best quality, largest file size) or .MP3 (we recommend 192Kbps, stereo) if you need a smaller file size.