Your Sound.
Montana
Made.
From a rough idea to a finished record — engineered, produced, mixed, and mastered by a working musician in Helena, Montana.
Six String Ride — Lance Handyside
The Work
Discography
What We Do
Four Ways to Work Together
Every project is different. Whether you're tracking a full band or finishing a record you started at home, Kyle works to serve the song — not the clock.
Recording
Track vocals, guitars, drums, and everything in between. Amps and instruments on hand — bring yours or use ours. Sessions run at your pace, with room to try things, hear them back, and get the take that actually feels right.
Mixing
Balance, shape, and polish your tracks into a cohesive sound that hits right. Kyle listens to your references and your instincts, then mixes to serve the song — not to show off what's technically possible. Revisions are part of the process — the final mix should be something you actually stand behind.
Mastering
Final-stage processing so your music translates on any speaker, anywhere. Kyle masters everything he mixes at 406 Records — no handoff, no guesswork about what the mix was meant to do. Your record should sound like itself whether it's playing through earbuds, a car stereo, or a decent pair of monitors.
Production
Full creative partnership from arrangement to final master. If you've got a song idea but aren't sure how to build it out, that's where this starts. Two decades of playing go into every production decision — what the song needs, what it doesn't, and how to get there without losing the thing that made it worth recording.
Artist Feedback
What Artists Are Saying
Kyle is an absolute wizard behind the console and one of the easiest people to work with. He asked me what I wanted as far as the sound of my album, and delivered exactly what I wanted. His prices are more than reasonable when compared to other studios I've dealt with.
Kyle was fantastic to work with. It doesn't matter how you want to record your music, Kyle can make it happen. It was easy set up, a great atmosphere, laid back and professional.
Best place in Montana to record your original songs. Everything went great. The producer went beyond my expectations. Definitely recording there again.
I had a great recording experience with Kyle. He has a well-equipped studio and he was very proficient and knowledgeable in recording and balancing all the levels to get your sound just the way you want it. I look forward to my next time passing through so I can stop by and cut some more tracks.
The Studio
About
I've been a musician since 2005, playing shows across 17 states and 6 countries. After moving to Montana and starting a family, I decided to put down roots and build a studio.
406 Records started in 2024 when I built a studio to produce Lance Handyside's debut album, Six String Ride.
The result was good enough to turn into a business.
Common Questions
Before You Reach Out
Every project is quoted individually based on scope — not hours. Here's what most people want to know first.
- How much does it cost to record an album?
- I quote every project individually based on what it actually requires — the number of songs, how many instruments you're tracking, whether you need mixing and mastering included, and how much production help you want in the room. No hourly rate, no meter running. Reach out with what you're working on and I'll give you a straight number.
- Can I record a single instead of a full album?
- Absolutely. A lot of what I do is one or two songs at a time — a single for a release, a demo to shop around, a track for a specific project. Your music doesn't have to be a full record to be worth recording right.
- What's the difference between mixing and mastering?
- Mixing is where individual tracks — your vocals, guitars, drums, bass — get balanced, shaped, and turned into a cohesive song. Mastering is the final step after that: it's where the finished mix gets processed so it translates consistently on every speaker and meets the loudness standards for streaming. You need both, and I handle both in-house.
- How long does it take to record an album?
- It depends on the project. A stripped-down acoustic record moves faster than a full-band production with layered overdubs. I don't put an arbitrary timeline on things — when the record sounds right, it's done. We can talk through realistic expectations once I know what you're making.
- What does a music producer actually do?
- A producer is the person in the room helping you get the best possible version of the song — that might mean arrangement ideas, pushing you for another take, suggesting a different chord, or just knowing when to stop and move on. Some people just need an engineer to capture what they've already figured out. Either way is fine.
- How do I prepare for my first session?
- Know your songs well enough that you're not thinking about the parts while you're playing them. That's it. The studio is a pretty relaxed place — I'm a musician too, and I'm not here to make you feel like you're on the clock. If this is your first time recording, we'll figure out the process together as we go.
Start a Project
Let's Talk About Your Record
Every project starts with a conversation. Tell me what you're working on — the number of songs, the sound you're going for, how far along you are. I'll give you an honest answer about scope and cost.
What to expect
- — I'll respond within 24 hours
- — We'll talk scope and budget honestly
- — No commitment, no pressure
406 Records is located in Clancy, MT — 15 minutes south of Helena. Remote mixing and mastering projects welcome.