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Post by schmalzy on Dec 22, 2015 17:10:17 GMT -6
Yo, y'all!
Thanks for all the advice and guidance. I'm definitely going to try to find a way to make these guys happy (I actually just talked to one of the guys earlier today - two of the three dudes are super happy with the sound, just the drummer is being difficult about his kick).
Also, thanks for giving a shit about a chachi like me. I'm still fairly new to this end of the whole thing (I feel like 29 was a late start so, two-and-a-half-years on, I still feel really "behind"). I have/had bands that played a bit but I practically threw away a few years of music, development, and opportunity because of some shady band members.
I'll try not to force you guys to listen to too much of what I'm doing - only when I'm really at a loss!
Thanks again for all the good words and good advice!
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Post by henge on Dec 22, 2015 22:05:25 GMT -6
If they are paying you to do this, they are your client. The client is always right, even when they're wrong. Give em what they want. The day I learned this was a beautiful and peaceful day. My relationships with clients grew and deepened, I learned a lot about engineering, and I got along with everyone much better. It's a puzzle, and it's your job to figure out the key that will unlock a great recording / mix. If you're producing them, try their ideas and tell them gently that it's your call if you feel it doesn't work. If they are just your friends and you're doing them a favor, tell them you have a great mix engineer who will give them what they want, and point them elsewhere. Yes, there's a delicate balance between some of these, but the bottom line is it's not YOUR project - it's theirs. If you can't figure out a way give them what they want and still be true to yourself, then politely suggest that they move on. In a nice way of course. However, I must say that some of my biggest growing times (engineering wise) where with difficult clients like the one(s) you describe. They are OBVIOUSLY hearing something that you are not currently giving them. It may be because of their instruments, their performance, their talent, your mics, your experiential skills, your esthetic vs theirs or whatever - but there's something they are not getting from you. It's our job as engineers to deliver a clients vision - not to make our own record. And hopefully in the process keep things sounding good as well. If you can't strike that balance over hard work and time, then the chemistry just isn't there. No harm, no foul and no use banging your head against a wall if you can't find a way to progress. Tell em you can't continue due to creative differences and your musical concept which obviously isn't THEIR concept. Good luck with it! Fantastic post! schmalzy if you want to get close to the ref track how about complete drum replacement. Then you can manipulate the drummers performance to a tighter feel. Then everything else can be edited to a tighter and better drum sound...or not.
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