Estúdio Ícaro Support Center

Your Sound, Supported. Welcome! This is your dedicated space for finding answers, comprehensive guides, and resources for all our audio production services. Whether you're troubleshooting a technical issue or seeking advice on preparing your project, we're here to ensure your creative journey is smooth and successful.

Get Help by Service

Navigating the nuances of audio production can sometimes be complex. To streamline your support experience, we've organized help resources by service. Click on a service below to find dedicated FAQs, guides, and troubleshooting tips tailored to your specific needs, ensuring you get the precise assistance you require quickly and efficiently.

Music Recording Support Icon

Music Recording

Find assistance with preparing for your studio session, understanding microphone choices, instrument setup, headphone mix preferences, and booking studio time. We ensure your recording experience is productive and inspiring from the first note.

Recording Support »
Audio Mixing Support Icon

Audio Mixing

Get guidance on preparing your tracks for mixing, how to provide constructive feedback, understanding the revision process, and a_pproved file delivery formats. Our goal is to craft a mix that brings your artistic vision to life.

Mixing Support »
Mastering Support Icon

Mastering

Information on final pre-master checks, submitting your mixes, understanding loudness standards for different platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, CD), and receiving your final master files in various formats.

Mastering Support »
Voice-over Support Icon

Voice-over Production

Access tips for optimal script delivery, microphone techniques for home recording (if applicable), file preparation guidelines, and the editing and processing workflow for clear, professional voice-overs.

Voice-over Support »
Podcast Production Support Icon

Podcast Production

Help with structuring your podcast episodes, recording best practices for multiple hosts or guests, editing timelines, audio cleanup, and preparing files for distribution on major podcast platforms.

Podcast Support »
Sound Design Support Icon

Sound Design & Post-Production

Support for projects involving SFX creation, foley work, ADR, dialogue editing, and final audio mixing for film, TV, games, and other visual media. Learn about asset delivery and technical specifications.

Sound Design Support »

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question? You're likely to find an answer here. We've compiled a list of common inquiries about our services, processes, and policies. Browse through the categories or use the search bar above for specific keywords.

Illustration with question marks, audio symbols, and people thinking

General Questions

Our standard support hours are Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Brasília Time, GMT-3). We strive to respond to all inquiries within 24 business hours. For urgent project-related issues outside these hours, clients with ongoing projects may have access to alternative contact methods provided by their project manager.

We recommend referring to our detailed 'Track Submission Guidelines' available in the Guides & Tutorials section. This guide covers preferred file formats (e.g., WAV, AIFF), sample rates, bit depths, naming conventions, and secure transfer methods like WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive. Proper file preparation ensures a smooth start to your project.

Absolutely! We welcome clients to our state-of-the-art facility located at 1570 Rua Augusta, Conjunto 501, São Paulo. However, visits are by appointment only to ensure we can dedicate the necessary time and attention to you and ongoing sessions. Please contact us to schedule a tour or consultation.

Billing & Payments

Estúdio Ícaro accepts a variety of payment methods for your convenience, including direct bank transfers (PIX for Brazilian clients), major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), and PayPal for international transactions. Specific payment details and instructions will be clearly outlined on your invoice.

All invoices are sent electronically to the email address associated with your client account upon confirmation of service or at agreed-upon project milestones. If you haven't received an invoice or require a copy, please check your spam/junk folder first, then contact our support team at support@<?php echo $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST']; ?> with your project details.

Music Recording

Please bring your own instruments (guitars, basses, specific drum kit cymbals/snare if preferred, etc.), any necessary accessories like picks, capos, drumsticks, and cables you are comfortable with. Also, bring lyric sheets, chord charts, or scores. If you have reference tracks that inspire the sound you're aiming for, bring those too! We provide high-quality microphones, headphones, preamps, and a comfortable, acoustically treated recording environment. If you have specific backline requirements (e.g., amplifiers, drum kits), please discuss this with us during booking.

Audio Mixing

Our standard mixing packages typically include two rounds of revisions. This allows for initial adjustments after you hear the first mix, and a second round for fine-tuning. We encourage clear and consolidated feedback for each revision round to make the process efficient. Additional revisions beyond the included amount can be requested and may be subject to an additional fee, which will be discussed transparently beforehand.

Mastering

Mixing is the process of blending individual recorded tracks together to create a cohesive stereo (or surround) audio file. This involves adjusting levels, panning, EQ, compression, and effects on each track. Mastering is the final step of audio post-production. It involves processing the final stereo mix to optimize its overall sound quality, ensure consistent loudness across an album, and prepare it for distribution on various platforms (streaming, CD, vinyl). Mastering addresses the song as a whole, not individual instruments.

Voice-over Production

Our primary focus is on the recording, editing, mixing, and mastering of voice-over audio. While we don't directly employ voice talent, we have a network of professional Brazilian Portuguese and English-speaking voice actors we can recommend based on your project's requirements. We can also facilitate casting if needed. If you already have your voice talent, we are fully equipped to record them in our studio or process their pre-recorded audio.

Podcast Production

While our core podcast services cover recording, editing, mixing, and mastering your episodes to professional standards, we can also provide guidance and consultation on setting up your podcast hosting and submitting it to major directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and others. We ensure your final audio files are optimized for these platforms.

Sound Design & Post-Production

We provide comprehensive sound design and audio post-production services for a wide range of media, including films (shorts and features), television shows, commercials, animations, video games, corporate videos, and interactive installations. This includes foley recording, sound effects creation and editing, dialogue editing and ADR, ambience design, and final mix (stereo or 5.1 surround).

What Our Clients Say

We are proud to have collaborated with talented artists and creators. Here’s what some of them have to say about their experience with Estúdio Ícaro.

Fernanda Alves

"The team at Estúdio Ícaro transformed my demo tracks into a professionally mixed and mastered EP. Their attention to detail and dedication to achieving the sound I envisioned was incredible. Truly a world-class service in São Paulo!"

- Fernanda Alves

Musician (Indie Pop)

Rodrigo Costa

"As a podcast producer, audio quality is paramount. Estúdio Ícaro consistently delivers crisp, clean, and perfectly balanced episodes for my show. Their editing skills are top-notch, and they always meet deadlines. Highly recommended!"

- Rodrigo Costa

Podcast Host ("Histórias da Cidade")

Camila Santos

"I needed urgent voice-over recordings for an institutional video, and Estúdio Ícaro delivered exceptional quality with a very tight turnaround. The engineer was professional, and the studio environment was perfect. Thank you!"

- Camila Santos

Marketing Manager

Lucas Pereira

"Estúdio Ícaro's mastering service gave my album the final polish it needed to compete on streaming platforms. The clarity, depth, and loudness were perfectly balanced. They understood my artistic intent and enhanced it beautifully."

- Lucas Pereira

Electronic Music Producer

Isabela Ribeiro

"The sound design for my short film was complex, and Estúdio Ícaro handled it with immense creativity and technical skill. They brought my scenes to life with immersive soundscapes. A pleasure to work with this talented team."

- Isabela Ribeiro

Filmmaker

Helpful Guides & Tutorials

Empower yourself with knowledge. Our curated collection of guides and tutorials is designed to help you prepare for our services, understand key audio concepts, and optimize your projects for the best possible outcomes. From file preparation to creative tips, find valuable insights here.

Person intently studying audio production guides and resources on a laptop in a creative workspace
File Upload Icon

Track Submission Guidelines

Learn the essential best practices for preparing and sending your audio files to Estúdio Ícaro. This guide covers correct file formats (WAV, AIFF), optimal sample rates and bit depths, clear naming conventions, and our preferred secure methods for file transfer. Following these steps ensures your project starts smoothly and efficiently.

Read Guide »
Audio Formats Icon

Understanding Audio File Formats

A clear and concise explanation of common audio file formats like WAV, AIFF, MP3, AAC, and FLAC. Understand the differences between uncompressed, lossless, and lossy formats, and learn which format is best suited for different stages of audio production, from recording to distribution.

Learn More »
Voice-over Microphone Icon

Home Recording Tips for Voice-Overs

Improve the quality of your home voice-over recordings significantly before sending them for professional production. This guide covers microphone placement, minimizing room noise, optimal recording levels, and common pitfalls to avoid for cleaner, more professional-sounding raw audio.

View Tips »
Podcast Editing Icon

Preparing Your Podcast for Editing

Streamline the podcast editing process by following these best practices for recording and organizing your audio. Learn about multi-track recording benefits, clear labeling of tracks and segments, providing editing notes, and minimizing background noise during recording for a smoother post-production workflow.

Read Guide »

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Encountering a hiccup? This section provides solutions and step-by-step guidance for common technical problems our clients sometimes face, from file upload difficulties to playback anomalies. We aim to help you resolve issues quickly so you can get back to creating.

Abstract image of interconnected gears and technical symbols representing troubleshooting processes

File & Upload Issues

  • Check Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable and reasonably fast internet connection. Large audio files require good bandwidth.
  • File Size Limits: Verify if the file size exceeds any limits specified by the transfer service (e.g., WeTransfer free tier limits). Consider splitting very large projects if possible.
  • Browser Issues: Try a different web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) or clear your current browser's cache and cookies. Sometimes extensions can interfere.
  • Firewall/VPN: Temporarily disable any VPN or strict firewall settings that might be blocking the upload.
  • Server Status: Check if the file transfer service itself is experiencing any outages.
  • Contact Us: If the problem persists after trying these steps, please contact us with details about the error message you're receiving and the method you're using. We might suggest an alternative transfer solution.

For optimal quality, we strongly recommend the following:

  • For Mixing: Submit uncompressed multi-tracks (individual instrument/vocal stems) as WAV or AIFF files. Ensure they are exported at the original session's sample rate (e.g., 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz) and bit depth (usually 24-bit or 32-bit float). All tracks should start from the same point (bar 1, beat 1) to ensure they align correctly. Turn off any master bus processing (limiters, compressors, master EQ) from your rough mix.
  • For Mastering: Provide the final stereo mix as a single WAV or AIFF file, again at the original session's sample rate and bit depth. Leave adequate headroom (around -3dBFS to -6dBFS peak) and avoid any limiting or maximizing on the master bus.
  • Avoid Lossy Formats: Do not submit MP3s, AACs, or other lossy compressed formats for mixing or mastering, as these formats discard audio information that cannot be recovered.

Please refer to our 'Track Submission Guidelines' for more details.

Playback & Quality

If a preview file doesn't sound as expected, here are a few steps to check:

  • Playback System: First, ensure your playback system (headphones, speakers, audio interface, computer sound card) is functioning correctly. Test with a familiar, professionally produced track to see if the issue is widespread.
  • Volume Levels: Check that your playback volume isn't too high, which could cause clipping or distortion in your audio interface or speakers. Also, ensure no software EQs or "sound enhancers" are active on your computer's audio output.
  • Download Fully: If streaming the preview, ensure it has fully buffered or downloaded. Incomplete downloads can cause playback errors.
  • Different Player: Try playing the file in a different media player (e.g., VLC, QuickTime, your DAW) to rule out player-specific issues.
  • Reference Environment: Listen on a system you are familiar with for audio quality assessment.
  • Notify Us: If the issue persists across different systems/players, please notify us immediately. Provide as much detail as possible: specific timecodes where issues occur, a description of the problem (e.g., "distortion on vocals," "bass sounds muddy"), and information about your playback setup. This helps us diagnose if the issue is with the file itself or needs further clarification.

Still Need Help? Contact Us

If you haven't found the answer to your question in our FAQs, guides, or troubleshooting sections, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our dedicated support team at Estúdio Ícaro is ready to assist you with any inquiries or issues you may have. We're committed to providing timely and effective support to ensure your audio projects are a success.

Send Us a Message

Direct Contact Information

Phone: +55 (11) 3088-1234

Support Email: support@<?php echo $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST']; ?>

General Inquiries: info@<?php echo $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST']; ?>

Address: Estúdio Ícaro
1570 Rua Augusta, Conjunto 501
Consolação, São Paulo - SP, 01305-000
Brazil
Support Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (BRT, GMT-3)

Our Location

Help Us Improve Our Support

Your feedback is invaluable to us at Estúdio Ícaro. It helps us refine our services, enhance this support hub, and better meet your needs. Please take a moment to share your thoughts, suggestions, or any experiences you've had with our support. We are always listening and eager to make your experience exceptional.

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: [Date of Last Update]

Welcome to the Estúdio Ícaro Support Hub. This Privacy Policy outlines how Estúdio Ícaro ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, maintains, and discloses information collected from users (each, a "User") of this website and our audio production services. This policy applies to the Site and all products and services offered by Estúdio Ícaro.

Information We Collect: We may collect personal identification information from Users in various ways, including, but not limited to, when Users visit our site, register on the site, fill out a form, and in connection with other activities, services, features, or resources we make available. Users may be asked for, as appropriate, name, email address, phone number, and project details. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us.

How We Use Collected Information: Estúdio Ícaro may collect and use Users' personal information for purposes such as providing customer service, personalizing user experience, improving our Site and services, processing payments, and sending periodic emails regarding their order or other products and services.

Data Protection: We adopt appropriate data collection, storage, and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information, and data stored on our Site. We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with relevant data protection laws, including Brazil's Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD) where applicable.

Sharing Your Personal Information: We do not sell, trade, or rent Users' personal identification information to others. We may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and users with our business partners, trusted affiliates, and advertisers for the purposes outlined above.

Your Rights: You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information. You may also have other rights depending on applicable data protection laws.

Changes to This Privacy Policy: Estúdio Ícaro has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the top of this page. We encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect.

Contacting Us: If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us at legal@<?php echo $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST']; ?> or by mail at our physical address.

This is a general template and should be reviewed and customized by a legal professional to ensure full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations specific to Estúdio Ícaro's operations and jurisdiction.

Terms of Service

Last Updated: [Date of Last Update]

Please read these Terms of Service ("Terms", "Terms of Service") carefully before using the Estúdio Ícaro Support Hub website (the "Service") operated by Estúdio Ícaro ("us", "we", or "our"). Your access to and use of the Service is conditioned on your acceptance of and compliance with these Terms. These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the Service.

Agreement to Terms: By accessing or using the Service you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of the terms then you may not access the Service.

Use of Service: The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are and will remain the exclusive property of Estúdio Ícaro and its licensors. Our Service is provided for your personal and non-commercial use, or legitimate business use related to our audio production services. You agree not to misuse the Service or help anyone else to do so.

Accounts: When you create an account with us (if applicable), you must provide us information that is accurate, complete, and current at all times. Failure to do so constitutes a breach of the Terms, which may result in immediate termination of your account on our Service.

Intellectual Property: Content provided by you for audio production services remains your intellectual property. Any content created by Estúdio Ícaro as part of its services, unless otherwise agreed in writing, will be subject to the specific terms of your service agreement with us.

Links To Other Web Sites: Our Service may contain links to third-party web sites or services that are not owned or controlled by Estúdio Ícaro. Estúdio Ícaro has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third party web sites or services.

Termination: We may terminate or suspend access to our Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach the Terms.

Limitation Of Liability: In no event shall Estúdio Ícaro, nor its directors, employees, partners, agents, suppliers, or affiliates, be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, including without limitation, loss of profits, data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, resulting from your access to or use of or inability to access or use the Service.

Governing Law: These Terms shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of Brazil, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Changes: We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material we will try to provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect.

Contact Us: If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at legal@<?php echo $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST']; ?>.

This is a general template and should be reviewed and customized by a legal professional to ensure it accurately reflects Estúdio Ícaro's specific service offerings, policies, and legal obligations.