Apogee Session Tools 2.0 Review

Apr 1, 2001 12:00 PM, By Peter Freeman

           
 

With the help of Bob Clearmountain and Ryan Freeland, Apogee has released Session Tools 2.0 ($349), a FileMaker-based database program that addresses important aspects of managing a recording studio. FileMaker-based programs are inherently clunky compared with standalone applications. However, it's obvious that experienced studio professionals who know how to organize relevant information designed Session Tools.

The program provides Client and Project databases, Session Work Orders (along with related invoices and studio supplies forms), and Tape Library and Equipment Maintenance logs. You will also find a labeling system for tapes and disks, track sheets, and templates in which you can note and recall settings for popular outboard gear.

The outboard gear recall sheets, which are bundled with templates for a number of ubiquitous studio components, are particularly useful. You can create custom equipment templates by importing your own drawings. This is an especially handy feature if you must constantly recall old, obscure outboard gear.

Making Book

The program does not attempt to function as a complete bookkeeping package; instead, at the end of a project, it generates clear and accurate invoices specially tailored for studio sessions, provided you correctly entered all the relevant session data (hours, rates, additional billable supplies, and so on). The primary invoice form includes a multitude of rate categories that cover hourly recording, a daily lockout rate, mixing, editing, copying, and transfers. A simpler alternate version is available if you don't require such excruciating detail.

For instance, if you run an ADAT-based demo or project facility, you probably won't have much use for a detailed maintenance log or equipment rental list. However, a commercial recording studio of any size can benefit from this program. For those who run a large commercial facility, the program offers several features to simplify the facility's operation considerably. For example, an engineer experiencing problems with a piece of gear can activate a Trouble Alert within the Maintenance History section and enter notes describing the problem. The Find Trouble button lets you immediately find out which units are having problems.

Keeping Time

At the more prosaic end of the spectrum, the Time Sheet section functions as a time clock would and keeps track of the hours a studio's staff worked. It is possible to network Session Tools by installing one main server copy; then you can install satellite copies on your networked machines, which share information from the server copy.

If you need a program to help manage your studio, make Session Tools your first choice for evaluation. It's a professional piece of software written by people with real-world experience, and its design and feature set reflect that.

Overall EM Rating (1 through 5): 3.5 Apogee Electronics Corp.; tel. (310) 915-1000; e-mail info@apogeedigital.com; Web www.apogeedigital.com.