Dave ToughProductions

A plan built
for your song.

From a focused guitar-vocal demo to a full live-band production, every project is shaped around the song, the artist and the intended release.

Current rates

Choose the right scale for the record.

Dave works with clients in Nashville and around the world. These rates provide a practical starting point; contact Dave for availability and a project-specific quote.

Hourly studio work

$80 / hour

Production, engineering, editing and related studio work.

Mixing

$650 / mix

A musical, release-ready mix built around the emotion of the song.

Pro Tools training & consulting

$80 / hour

One-on-one guidance for sessions, workflow and production decisions.

Guitar or piano vocal

$450 / song

Includes guitar or piano, recording, mixing and mastering. Singer not included.

Programmed drums with five-piece band

$1,200 / song

Includes traditional instrumentation, recording, mixing and mastering. Singer not included.

Live drums with five-piece band

$2,200 / song

Tracked at a professional studio; includes traditional instrumentation, recording, mixing and mastering. Singer not included.

Demo singer

$200–$300 / song

Final rate depends on the vocalist selected for the project.

Additional harmonies

$200 / song

Layered background vocals arranged to support the production.

Two common approaches

Simple when it should be.
Full when it needs to be.

Guitar or piano vocal

A vocal supported by one accompanying instrument—the most direct and economical way to present the song clearly.

Full-band production

Professional musicians performing in a professional studio, with the arrangement and sonic detail needed for a complete record.

Production packages include recording, mixing and mastering, with vocal and instrumental WAV mixes delivered online. Track stems are not included unless arranged separately.

Working remotely

Send the song.
We'll build from there.

  1. LyricsA legible lyric sheet in Word, Excel or PDF format.
  2. MelodyA worktape, voice memo or MP3 that communicates the melody.
  3. ChordsChord changes if you know them—or permission for Dave to find what fits.
  4. DirectionStyle references, instrumentation ideas and any special requests.
Explore SoundBetter's production budget guide ↗

Tell me about your project.
Let's find a way to make it happen!

Contact Dave ↗

For label projects or master recording projects, please contact my manager.