Working with Armadillo Audio is an amazing experience. Peter is very professional and patient for…read morethose who want to learn about the highly technical processes of audio mastering, but also can make the whole process seamless for those who are wanting a quick turn-around. I use Peter for all my audiobooks and he has helped define the sound of my company. And it doesn't matter what variables I throw at him, the final artistic work shines.

WOW!!!!!!! I worked…read morewith this company on my last audio book. Right off the bat, I'll admit I'm not a professional voice person, but I do speak professionally and I don't THINK I'm absolutely the worst speaker of all time, but I sure did feel that way after Peter Acker responded to my email. 1 -- He said he doesn't work with the platform I'd used to record a sample of what I was working on (maybe he doesn't anymore, but he certainly did last time we worked together). OK, maybe that's just a misunderstanding. However . . . 2 -- He volunteers that, based on my work, "(he) wouldn't listen past the first minute." 3 -- He immediately asks if I can bring back the last person. Recording is a long, arduous process. Incredibly tedious, incredibly time-consuming. But he has no time for consideration of others. Better to make them feel as small as possible, as quickly as possible. Keep in mind that I AM THE CUSTOMER and this is how he treats people he's done business with before. Work with him at your caution.

Easily the best shop in Northampton. Great prices, and good guys. I have purchased several things…read morethrough this shop, and encouraged many people to buy guitars and other instruments here, too. The selection is ever changing and eclectic. They buy used, predominantly, (With a few custom new pieces by local craftspersons.) They check the gear over pretty well, but it's always a good idea to take the guitar in for a good setup at a local luthier. They will do repairs and setups for you here at the shop, too. They have Guitars (Acoustic and electric), banjos, mandolin, auto-harp, Sitar, Percussion, Bass, Violins and Viola, horns, effects, Amps, cases, and accessories. (And other things, as they come in.) Every time I have interacted with the staff they have been friendly, knowledgeable, and just downright nice. The new location is wonderful. I love the wall of guitars. Please stay in Northampton forever and ever. Thanks. : )

---- an ex-employee of theirs saw my review and contacted me to appologize. He informs that this…read moreis not an unusual situation and it is why he quit. Avoid this place.

I had a bunch of projects I finally got around to addressing. I took all the old cassettes and…read morebrought them to Steve for him to produce digital copies. He emailed me an initial estimate and then brought up one of the cassettes; it was in particularly rough shape - the tape was old and had issues and the sound quality was not great to start with. I especially appreciated Steve's communication about this cassette. After he tried a few things, he let me know its condition and then asked how much time I wanted him to spend on it. He presented me with where he would start and, if it didn't work, what he would do next. I explained it was a bit of a family heirloom and so I wanted him to do whatever it took. After another week, he explained the steps he took and then sent me the updated bill. This communication and care with the projects made this a very easy and comfortable process. I recommend his services without reservation.

I needed to transfer a recording from a cassette circa 1970 to a cd of my mother in law singing,…read morefor her memorial service. Not only did Steve work within my short time frame, but he was able to clean up the recording. It sounded so beautiful when played during the service. His price was fair and I am appreciative of his work.

I have brought in four of my guitars (two acoustic and one electric) for basic setup work (one…read moretwice when I changed string gauges). I have never dared to mess with acoustic guitar setups in any way. Calvin and Trevor have been very patient and helpful and I have enjoyed playing the instruments much more after the work was done. Definitely worth the trip out there.

Brought my Telecaster back to life. Can't say enough about how Trevor and his staff listen, offer…read moregreat insights, and truly are partners in helping musicians express their best selves in the Pioneer Valley.

I recently needed some work done on my laptop. Back End Busy Tech was local to me so I took it…read morethere. I was not disappointed. Turn around time was good, the work done great and the price, reasonable. Sam is a nice guy. He's knowledgable but a good listener and I would recommend him highly.

I can't say enough about how great this store is. And now that they're in the new location, it's…read moreeven better. I've bought, sold, and traded a ton of gear here and it's always been a great experience. The whole staff is very helpful, but not pushy. I often deal with Sam, since we're both guitar pedal aficionados. He's always eager to answer any questions or just talk about gear in general. Their inventory is very impressive, for an independent music store. And their prices are as good as the big online retailers. I don't go as often, since I moved out of the Valley. But whenever I'm out that way, I'm sure to stop by. I haven't been to every music store in Massachusetts, but this is definitely the best one I've been to. Beginner to Boutique, they have it all.

AVOID MILL RIVER MUSIC AT ALL COSTS - JON (the owner) HAS AN APPALLING LACK OF ATTENTION TO…read moreDETAIL. ADDITIONALLY, HE IS EXTREMELY RUDE AND DISHONEST. In the past 25 years, I have over 2500 transactions on ebay and reverb. I have left negative or neutral feedback less than one 1/2 of 1% of the time. In this case, Jon richly deserved it. Many times over. PayPal glitched my address on a Reverb Payment, resulting in Jon sending my guitar to the wrong address. This was DESPITE me giving the correct information to Julia prior to the sale AND having the correct information on file with Reverb. As soon as I saw the error, I contacted Mill River Music immediately -Julia was not there, so I had to deal with Jon. Jon acknowledged the correct information WAS provided ahead of time, that he did not talk to Julia prior sending, and that he blindly went by what PayPal provided without contacting me first to verify. (Despite my primary address of record on Reverb being the one I had provided to Julia prior.) ALL OF THIS WAS NO BIG DEAL- LIFE HAPPENS-I GET IT. However, when I contacted Jon, instead of apologizing for his oversight, and immediately correcting the situation, he was incredibly rude and insulting many times over. OVER HIS LACK OF ATTENTION TO DETAIL. There is no excuse for this deliberate lack of customer service and accountability. None. He then said he would contact Fed-Ex to reroute my guitar. HE DID NOT. Again, there is no excuse for this deliberate lack of customer service and accountability. None. Jon had several days to contact Fed-Ex prior to delivery and failed to do so. He had time to send me several obnoxious messages, but he couldn't make time to contact Fed-Ex and redirect the guitar prior to delivery. This resulted in the guitar being delivered to a high crime area and left unattended in plain view in a box labeled as a guitar. It is incredibly lucky that the new occupants were honest, retrieved it before it was stolen, held it for Fed-Ex and that Fed-Ex was ultimately able to deliver it correctly. (No thanks to Jon.) Jon never once acknowledged his lack of attention to detail with my valuable instrument, or apologized for mishandling it. IF he had, that would have been the beginning and end of it. Instead, Jon's actions have forced me to leave this review as a warning to potential customers. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. THIS IS NOT SOMEONE WHO TAKES PERSONAL OWNERSHIP, PRIDE, AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GOODS AND SERVICES HE PROVIDES. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. PS: 1. to be absolutely clear, Jon waited TWO days after i reached out before he contacted Fed-Ex. 2. I have screenshots and pdfs of everything. 3. i fully expect that instead of demonstrating basic customer service and simply owning his mistakes and apologizing for them, Jon will reply to this review with more gaslighting and personal attacks. AGAIN, Avoid At ALL Costs!

If you can find his shop, he's really good with both acoustic and electric guitars--fair prices and…read morea pleasant business experience.

I love this place! I live in California but have family in western Mass. I've been here four times…read morenow, once for food, twice for music, and once for the luthier himself. All were delightful. The decor is outstanding. The music is intimate, varied and always fun. And Steve is completely at home with his place. I could not recommend it more highly. Just go!

The best music scene in the area, legendary open mic. Great crowds, and amazing team that runs it.read more