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Post by mcirish on Apr 11, 2023 10:23:52 GMT -6
You are all correct. I really do need to figure out how I want to handle the business side of things. Working for free continually is not in my planning at all. I just need to iron out the details and make them clear to potential clients. You've all given me a good start. Thank you
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Apr 11, 2023 10:44:37 GMT -6
I am the kind of person who will do whatever it takes to get it to sound as I hear it in my head. Unfortunately, I will probably give away a lot of time. Lots to think about. I'm not really thinking of being a public recording studio. I'm just interested in working with a handful of people I believe in to see if we can create something that both of us are proud of. I have been giving away my time, but it's like Bill said; some have brothers or cousins who own a computer and a little gear so when we start discussing the next project, they want it free as well. I'm fine with doing a tune for free to see how we get on, but after that, there has to be some compensation. On most of these projects, I have spent way more time fixing their parts than they spent recording them. But that's ok on a one-off. This direction could be a great plan for "making music" for fun. It's a horrible business plan though. Ultimately, you have to choose which path you want to go down. Yeah opening the doors to others you’re going to learn the hardest lesson of all : at the end of the day this isn’t about art or creation, it’s a business, and a dirty one at that. Before you open the doors the 3 guys you need to sit down with are your lawyer accountant and insurance agent. You need to first evaluate this; no matter how good they have been for you in the past or how nice the are, do they have the skills and specific knowledge that I need to protect me? Most of your current questions fall in that wheelhouse. The problem is going to be is if you’re not in one of the entertainment markets finding people with entertainment related small home based business knowledge and know your local and state laws. |
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Post by Blackdawg on Apr 11, 2023 11:25:19 GMT -6
One thing is for certain. You won't be able to spend hours and hour and hours and hours and hours fine tuning a record. You'll have to develop your skills to be fast AND achieve whatever it is that you want to be up to your standards. IMO if you can't do that, you shouldn't work for hire as you'll either end up working for free in the name of making it great and under valuing yourself. Or you'll be unaffordable. Either way, I do it by project. With revisions being hourly. I am the kind of person who will do whatever it takes to get it to sound as I hear it in my head. Unfortunately, I will probably give away a lot of time. Lots to think about. I'm not really thinking of being a public recording studio. I'm just interested in working with a handful of people I believe in to see if we can create something that both of us are proud of. I have been giving away my time, but it's like Bill said; some have brothers or cousins who own a computer and a little gear so when we start discussing the next project, they want it free as well. I'm fine with doing a tune for free to see how we get on, but after that, there has to be some compensation. On most of these projects, I have spent way more time fixing their parts than they spent recording them. But that's ok on a one-off. I get that. I live in an area that it is very hard to be a full time musician and they just do not have the money to pay me for full stuff. I have helped them a lot with getting their own gear and they do a lot of stuff themselves. Then occasionally, they call me in to master something. Or record something. I do not charge what I should because I know they could never afford it and then I'd never get called period. But I do charge something and they know that they only call me when it's really important to them for it to be right. Which for me and them is a decent balance. Im lucky I don't require the money to survive from them some I'm happy to help them support their art when I can. BUT I also don't get called for every thing which is good as I don't want to do a bunch of crap for pennies on the dollar. It's a decent balance. But is only for a small handful of people I do this with. Something like that could be what you do instead of being a full open for business studio. You eat the costs but you're having fun and helping with the art of folks you like. Otherwise, gotta agree with Bill, it's a terrible business plan. As for Masters, to me that depends on what "stage" of the process your in and what rolls you're bringing. Recording only? Not your masters. Producing? You've got a stake in that. Mixing only? Not your masters. Mastering? Not your masters. That said, I archive EVERYTHING I touch. Because I'm assuming that they won't. And you should never turn over full mixes/masters without being paid. Tons of services to use that put tracks behind paywalls. I use Samply. |
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Post by matt@IAA on Apr 11, 2023 11:44:47 GMT -6
Charge enough that if you get very little work you’ll be happy, and if you get a ton of work you’ll be happy.  |
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Post by Tbone81 on Apr 11, 2023 11:56:34 GMT -6
Be up front with people about where you are in your business cycle. If you're just starting out as a business let them know that, and charge accordingly. Nothing wrong with giving your first few clients discounts, or great "friend" rates as you learn the ropes. BUT, know when enough is enough, know when to raise your rates. And be sure to let them know that it is a DISCOUNT and NOT your normal rate. AND...be sure to itemize your discount on your estimate/invoice. If you're rate is $50/hr, but you did the project for $20/hr, charge the $50 on the invoice with a discount for the balance. That way they know that they got a deal. Its an important psychological tool.
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Post by christopher on Apr 11, 2023 14:00:06 GMT -6
A big one is decide if you are grid or no-grid. A lot of the small studios are grid only. It seems to work well for local musicians who don’t have time to practice. They can get it right for one section, copy and paste the rest out. However I’m a no-grid guy when I record, as for me the fun is capturing a raw performance. I will lower rates way down for a band that wants to work that way.
Recording local artists is a service industry, so good customer service is expected. There are a lot of little kinks and stressors to deal with when hourly. Nobody wants to pay for a terrible headphone mix. That’s one of those things that a lot of smaller studios struggle with, as it’s kind of the last thing on this list. It’s really hard to be in-tune or on-time if you can’t get a good headphone mix. It’s can also lead to weak uninspired vocal takes, or strained ones, if not set perfectly in the right window.
Another thing to have dialed in: spending the clock trying to remember where the software thing is.. mousing around in silence while the clock ticks by. I’ve worked with bands at studios where we are waiting 3 hours of a 5 hour block for the guy at the Mac to figure out his problem. And it’s like they are staring at the screen like a hypnotized zombie, mumbling to themselves. That’s no fun for anyone and it can become very stressful quickly.
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Post by smashlord on Apr 11, 2023 21:26:30 GMT -6
I'd say charge whatever you feel allows you to do a good job on the project in a timely manner. I know that is abstract, but I've steadily increased my rates over the past 4 years and I have more work than I have ever had, which I attribute to the fact that I am able to offer a better level of service. Charging a realistic, livable rate has allowed me more time to do better work and not cram the schedule, so I am able to do that better work with quicker turn around times for the client.
Bill made a good point about charging for you and you only. I've certainly found if you can offer a unique thing (which is often your taste and judgement), people will pay more to work with you.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Apr 12, 2023 9:01:39 GMT -6
Charge enough that if you get very little work you’ll be happy, and if you get a ton of work you’ll be happy. A lesson learned building a console? |
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Post by matt@IAA on Apr 12, 2023 10:59:24 GMT -6
nah that's just life in general. also a smart person once told me to leave room to give discounts, because if you don't need to the upside is yours, but if you do give a discount you're the nice guy / hero.  |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Apr 12, 2023 21:03:38 GMT -6
nah that's just life in general. also a smart person once told me to leave room to give discounts, because if you don't need to the upside is yours, but if you do give a discount you're the nice guy / hero. Who would spread such nonsense 😁 |
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