Knowledge Base
Studio Blog
Expert guides on mixing, mastering, vocal recording, and music production from Grammy-nominated engineer Matt O'Neil.
ACX Audiobook Editing, Mixing & Mastering: What Happens After Recording
A practical guide to audiobook editing, mixing, mastering, quality control, and ACX-ready chapter delivery.
Recording, Mixing, and Mastering: How to Plan a Song Release in the Right Order
A clear release workflow for planning recording, mixing, mastering, and final delivery without rushing the stages together.
Vocal Comping and Editing Explained: Turning Great Takes into a Finished Lead
Understand how lead-vocal choices, editing, doubles, and arrangement turn recorded takes into a finished performance.
How to Record an Audiobook: An ACX-Ready Production Guide
A practical audiobook-recording guide covering narration space, chapter organization, ACX delivery targets, post-production, and remote recording support.
How to Record Rap Vocals in Houston: A Studio Session Guide
A practical guide for Houston rap artists preparing to record vocals, from reference tracks and lyric prep to doubles, ad-libs, and session planning.
Remote Mixing for Independent Artists: What to Send and What to Expect
A practical workflow for delivering files, sharing references, communicating notes, and approaching revisions with a remote mixing engineer.
How Many Songs Can You Record in a Studio Session? A Houston Artist Planning Guide
Plan a more productive studio day by accounting for preparation, lead takes, vocal layers, playback, and the next release step.
7 Questions to Ask Before Booking a Recording Studio in Houston
A focused booking checklist for evaluating the room, engineer, workflow, delivery, and next steps for your recording project.
Is Your Mix Ready for Mastering? A Release Checklist for Independent Artists
Confirm the mix, exports, revisions, and release context before handing a song to mastering.
How to Prepare Your Stems for Mixing: A Complete Guide
Sending your session to a mixing engineer for the first time? Here's exactly how to export, organize, and label your stems so your mix session starts on the right foot.
Mixing vs. Mastering: What's the Difference and Do You Need Both?
Artists ask this question constantly. Here's a clear, honest breakdown of what mixing and mastering actually do, why both matter, and when you need each one.
How to Choose a Recording Studio in Houston: What to Look For
Not all studios are created equal. Here's what actually matters when choosing a recording studio in Houston — from acoustics and equipment to the engineer's credits.
Recording Studio Rates in Houston: What Affects Cost and How to Budget
Transparent breakdown of what drives recording studio pricing: engineer experience, equipment quality, location, session length, and additional services. How to budget for your project.
How to Prepare for Your First Recording Session
Walking into a professional recording studio for the first time can feel intimidating. But with the right preparation, you'll walk out with a vocal performance you're proud of. Here's everything you need to know.
What Does a Mixing Engineer Actually Do?
Mixing is often misunderstood, but it's one of the most important steps in creating a professional-sounding record. Here's what mixing engineers actually do and why it matters.
Music Mastering Explained: Why Your Mix Needs It
Mastering is often the most misunderstood step in music production. Many artists skip it or treat it as an afterthought. But mastering is what makes the difference between a good mix and a professional release.
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Lunar Mansion Studios is a professional recording studio offering high-end audio engineering, music production, mixing, and vocal recording for artists, creators, and brands. Led by 16x Platinum & 4x Gold, Grammy-nominated audio engineer, Matt O'Neil.