Playground Services

Newly added!!!

At Playground, although we are busy, we still have the same financial problems that 94% of the US is having. We don't think that is any reason to stop recording... In fact we'll record until the doors are bolted and we can't get in.

SO.. we are making deals with groups and individuals for their projects. If you have a project that you need to begin or one that you need to finish.. feel free to give us a call 850-678-6934 or 850-259-6424... give us the scope of your project and we'll make you a deal you can't refuse. In some cases we will run tabs for our clients... as long as they pay regularly.. So don't let the economic condition of our country stand in your way.. give us a call and see what we can work out!

We are also offering the production services of Jim Dickinson, father of the North Mississippi Allstars..( production credits Alex Chilton, BigStar, the Replacements, Ry Cooder and many more)  for further info call.

Jim Lancaster production services are also offered.. call for info

If you need musicians we offer the services of the finest musicians in our area for all musical genres!

Complete your project at home Then Send your masters or your files to PRS for professional Mixing, mastering and prep for Replication, including art!

We can accept virtually any music format from tape to hard drive to disk AND you can even drop your files on our iDisk and we can download your files. Prices of this vary depending on how well you present your files.. but we'll have one of our hot dog engineers professionally prepare mixes to your specifications.. master the final product and make ready for manufacturing. Our AWARD winning graphics arts team can also assemble your jacket and label design for you.. For more info email or call PRS @ 850-678-6934.. you might have to leave a message....

below we list what services we offer at Playground and our basic rates. We realize that the best music never gets recorded, the best songs never heard, and the best recordings never get released. We also realize that part of the reason for this is that recording is sometimes cost prohibitive. At PRS we try and work with anyone who has a genuine talent in songwriting and performing. If you have something that you feel has to be heard please feel free to give us a call. It is our goal to unite the studios, artists and performers from our area. If you have something that we consider to be timeless material, we are more than happy to work with you towards your artistic goals

Playground Recording Studio is located at 101 Westview Ave. Valparaiso, Florida. Our facility sits on Plat #1 in between the waters of Tom’s Bayou and Boggy Bayou. We have a 2500 square ft. rehearsal facility that can also serve as a performance venue. Our recording room is 50’x 30’ with 22’ ceilings. It contains 3 iso booths, two are large and one is small. We normally record the drums in the open room. Our control room is 13’x 22’ with 10’ high angled ceiling. It is equipped with a Neve 8232 analog console and a Sony APR 24 track analog tape recorder. For computer recording, we have interfaced our analog system with 16 I/O of ProTools 7.3 and 24 I/O of Digital Performer. Our office is located adjacent to the studio and is equipped with high speed internet, large flat screen TV, 2 bedrooms, full kitchen, bath and laundry room. We also offer the use of a dock for fishing and boating. We may be contacted by phone at 850-678-6934. Below is a list of services that we offer in Valparaiso.
Recording
We offer 24 Trk analog recording as well as digital recording via ProTools 7.3 or Digital Performer 5.1. We can record your project from start to finish including overdubs. editing and mixing.
We can also take digital recordings that you have recorded in your home studio and load the tracks via cd/dvd/hardrive into Pro tools or Digital Performer and then do final overdubs and mixing.
Many of our clients come in to “Track” drums in our large room and return to their home studios to overdub. Many come back to mix and master the final completed project.
Transfers
We can transfer analog master tapes to the digital domain. Transfers include 2”-24 Track,
2”-16 Track, ½” 4 Track, and ¼” 2 Track. Pricing depends on the condition of the tape.
Production
We offer production services by several different engineer/ producers. This is specifically if you need guidance with your project. Production pricing can vary depending on program content to choice of producer
Remixing
We accept masters in all forms, analog and digital for remixing. We also can remix your home projects through our professional gear for a more professional result.
Publishing
We operate four publishing companies at Playground. We can assist you in licensing affiliation and copyrights. We regularly send material to established artists who are in the process of recording. This means we are constantly seeking material from songwriters for our publishing companies. We also record demos for songwriters groups.
Musicians
At Playground we can assemble a rhythm section (musicians who work together in the studio on a regular basis) for you or we can get a single musician to overdub on your existing project. Need a fiddle player or a String section? Musician costs can vary depending on the player and whether you are tracking or overdubbing.
Rehearsal
Rehearsal space available… PA can be provided.
Lodging, Fishing and Boating
There is limited lodging available at Playground, however, we will assist you in finding the right place to stay while recording your project.. from the Budget Inn in Valp to a gulf front condo in Destin.. we want you to be comfortable. Fishing trips and boating excursions can be arranged. We can set you and your party up for a deep sea fishing trip or you can fish off our dock. Boat rentals available.
Introductory Rates
For a short time Playground is charging day rates at $300.00 plus engineer (8 hr. period) or $50.00 per hour including engineer with a 3 hour minimum . Special rates for solo singer/songwriters.

Sound Reinforcement and Lights

We have enough gear here to give 25,000 watts a side for the front on live performance as well as a complete custom lighting set up.. fired by midi, if you want. We can also pimp out some dudes to handle the entire situation for you so all you have to do is think about the music! We can handle everything from Ray's Lounge.. to your corporate event..this includes lights and sound for 10,000 folks.. call for info

Talk to the pimp

Soulscape label owner Garry Cape of the UK pictured here with artist Marianne Cooper of Muscle Shoals in front of the newly renovated Playground exterior in March '07. Marianne recorded at Playground in the mid 70's. Marianne also wrote several of the songs she recorded here and they are dynamite! We are currently working on a new project with Marianne, who made her record debut on A-Bet with former husband Chuck Cooper, under the names "Chuck and Marianne". For song submissions email the Chief.

Louisiana's Last Rockabilly Jay Chevalier at The Pondersoa Stomp at the House of Blues in New Orleans 2007.

Jay put on a fantastic show at the Stomp. He has recorded at Playground over the years and has written songs with Finley Duncan

Just Couldn't resist anothe picture of Kalantan. The first exoctic dancer in Okaloosa county. Finley hired her for his nightclub in the 50's and she became a lifelong family friend. She appeared in the Howard Hughes 1955 film "Son of Sinbad". Her stills were banned from the national promo campaign. Where was our first amendment?

Hey!  Finley was getting $40 bucks an hour for this MCI in 1972! We are loving restoring the MCI prototype console (It's a slow process).. Our JH 16  Track machine is dated April '72 and is serial #17.