About me
My name is Aaron Mason… I make music. A lot.
Instruments: My first instrument was the guitar, but I soon fell in love with the bass guitar, then got an insatiable singing itch, and later bought a drum kit. I’ve been the lead guitar player, rhythm guitar player, the only guitar player, bass player, lead singer, and backup singer.
Bands: I’ve started bands, begged to join bands, auditioned for bands, got kicked out of a bar cover band (which I hated anyway), and asked to join bands. I’ve played on independent releases, label releases, international releases and demos which included song writing, riff writing, co-writing, and playing songs I had no part in writing.
Performing: I’ve played local gigs and festivals, scary inner-city bars, and toured the US & Europe many times with a straight-edge hardcore vegan punk band. Also, two shows in Iceland, one of which is my favorite show I’ve ever played, and even one in Tijuana, Mexico.
Recording: The first two recordings I ever played on were when I was 16; one was in a church in the middle of the night playing live to a cassette recorder, the other was in a professional studio to ADAT and burned to CD. I’ve been the recording lead guitar player, rhythm guitar player, bass player, vocalist, & harmonizing vocalist.
Aaron Mason - Recording Sample Reel
Recording
I’m a musician first and foremost. Performance is everything to me, and without a great one we may as well pack it in. I do whatever it takes to facilitate a genuine and passionate performance. That means for bands, I always recommend that they play together in the same room, making sure they feel “at home” in any given space. My job is not to change an artist while they’re in the studio, but to help them unleash their most inspired performance and aid them toward a memorable experience.
There are no rules when making music. When they are forced upon me, I usually want to break them. It’s not worth it unless I’m at least a “little scared” about what we’re doing. Yes, you could call me an Audio Engineer, but you have no choice but to call me a musician because I simply love making music with people.
Pricing: Recording / Mixing / Producing starting at $70 per hour. Project pricing available per request.
Studio Consultant
• Home & Commercial Studio Equipment Consultation
• Studio Gear Setup & Room Treatment
• Studio Preparation, Planning & Time Managment
• Patchbay Design & Custom Studio Blueprints
I have education in studio electronics, psychoacoustics, and studio design. I have consulted and improved professional studios, home studios, and venues in and around D.C. I have also worked in professional studios managing, scheduling, wiring, reconfiguring, gear purchasing, developing client relationships, and assisting outsourced engineers during sessions.
Pricing: Studio Consulting starting at $70 per hour.
Mentoring
As a mentor I share my insight gained from years of experience as a musician, touring in a band throughout Europe and the US, and recording/mixing in the DC Metro area studios.
Whether you are an individual just starting out, an established band, to everything in between, mentoring can be that non-judgmental asset.
Common Topics:
• Live Performance - Local / Touring / Solo / Band
• Gear - Amps / Instruments / Electronics / PA
• Song Writing - Writing / Arranging / Production
• Cover Songs - Analyzation / Arrangements / Memorization
• Recording - Home Recording / Pro Studio / Production
• Music Business - College / Careers / Guidance
Pricing: Mentoring Sessions starting at $150 per month, once a week for 25 minutes over Zoom.
