Competing in the marketplace and software piracy.

This is a question for the guys who are slogging it out in the Recording studio trenches (both small commercial and project studios).
 
Is software piracy pervasive in your industry and do you find it extremely hard to compete against studios/producers who have every highend plugin crack in the book?  The argument isn't whether it is wrong or right because software piracy is wrong no matter what kind of excuse or justification you can create mentally.
 
Me, I'm just a part-timer and if I find someone who I want to work with and what they want to do isn't going to take up too much of my free time or will pay me enough to sacrifice my free time, I'll take on a project.   But I see ads for guys in my area recording for rates that a good handyman with a van full of tools could beat (profit wise) by three times.  With the gear they advertise and the software they claim to have, something just doesn't give.  That is, unless they have a wife who is a doctor or they just got a great settlement through an ambulance chasing lawyer.
 
I can't imagine having to compete in today's recording market.

Mod Bod


This is a question for the guys who are slogging it out in the Recording studio trenches (both small commercial and project studios).
 
Is software piracy pervasive in your industry and do you find it extremely hard to compete against studios/producers who have every highend plugin crack in the book?  The argument isn't whether it is wrong or right because software piracy is wrong no matter what kind of excuse or justification you can create mentally.
 
Me, I'm just a part-timer and if I find someone who I want to work with and what they want to do isn't going to take up too much of my free time or will pay me enough to sacrifice my free time, I'll take on a project.   But I see ads for guys in my area recording for rates that a good handyman with a van full of tools could beat (profit wise) by three times.  With the gear they advertise and the software they claim to have, something just doesn't give.  That is, unless they have a wife who is a doctor or they just got a great settlement through an ambulance chasing lawyer.
 
I can't imagine having to compete in today's recording market.

I never even thought of competition as far as gear or software etc. The competition part comes into play with the ability to run out to Staples or Sam Ash and buy a recording program and do it yourself. Most people like that challenge at first until they see how hard it is. Some win the battle, others struggle until they can't take anymore.
 
The key to survival for me is to offer things no one else offers as well as completing everything ahead of schedule, being up front and honest, and always treating every job as it were your own work while making the client feel they are the only one you have. Communication is key as well as earning trust. All my clients that work with me have something in common. They never worry about anything. Even if we struggle a bit, the end result is always better than expected. They know I'll deliver the goods because their happiness means more to me than the money or anything else. I don't care what people advertise or what they have in their studio's....if they can't deliver the goods and take care of clients the way I do...they aren't my competition....I'm theirs. :)
 
-Danny

+1 Rain

But I fear dropping in on anyones studio, since I have the best band-collabs and producers ... right here on these forums ...

As a customer (who sings and composes), I have to 'connect' with others.
 
Artists oft perceive the $$$ as just a necessary evil/good.  But in reality, music has become more a charity, a labor of love, etc.

The producer must be my friend ... from the heart ... most viable musicians are like me: they are all heart and would rather fail then sell themselves to plugin-geeks, commercials, or mastering houses.  My fellow producers are usually on-line.  Though, I play a little with locals.

OTOH, historically, pre-DAW hymnists have sold themselves to commerical producers, like the devil, IMHO.  They had no choice and took any money ... while their hymns became copyrighted-for-hire by the Tenn Companies.  (Ouch!)  It is extremely difficult for me to sing copyrighted hymns in church ... the gospel is free.

OTOH, I've worked long hours with many amateur producers here; most (90%) won't let me pay them a cent for their excellent collabs, mixing, etc.  God knows I've tried.  Nothing is fair.  Its extremely rare for me to find a Sonarite who 'accepts money'.

But for those I've paid, my conscience feels better, I've learned a lot, etc.  The songs 'get finished' ... the economic incentive is a curious thing.

Medicare pays extra for me to travel to rural nursing homes to perform as a podiatrist.  "I'd pay big bucks for inspired musical help" ... but the 'hireling' sloth and 'fame' egotist ruins many songs, IMHO. 

Does he/she 'connect' to my vibe and/or faithfully perform?

Not his/her software, not his/her studio, nor the 'has-been' status, etc.  (Jeff Cook ('Alabama') lives next door, but you couldn't pay me to perform with him, nor Jeff Lynne (ELO) if he lived next door)

Yup, inspired producers (not softwares) win my soul.  Mastering houses ... just don't seem financially increasing.  That may change based on your faithfulness, love, full-time status, collabs or such.  JMO/IMHO.

 ... The public is increasingly aware: great music is cheaply accessible from a cw home-studio.  Money is tight.

A great guitar performer (incl bass) is a rare jewell for me tho.  He is worth his $$$ for his riffs, rhythms, chuggas, etc.  Surely you can jam on some of my songs?  Even inspired mp3s (all types) are priceless for my mixes.

IOWs, I (and others) may be interested in your on-line collaboration for certain songs ... if you 'faithfully connect' with me.  Songs forum is where I connect.

Just haveing the software...cracked or legal doesn't mean jack.....

can you use it effectively?   But I guess if it's in a studio (professional) I would hope they do know how to use it....

Now.... would I want to use a studio that had illegal/cracked software?  No. If they will cheat on that, they will cheat me too.  

If you have to use illegal software, why can you not afford to buy the legal version? Are you not running the business correctly from an accounting point of view? Not a place I would want to do business with. 


Note: An old buddy of mine, (I used to play in a band with him way back) we reconnected a few years ago, told me he had all sorts of software for music....and went on to name a bunch of the high priced stuff..... then said he got it all for free. I asked him if it was cracked. He said.."Wadda you think?"

My philosophy is to have a few good plugs and learn how to use them effectively. I use the presets as a starting point, because what worked in a song yesterday, might not necessarily work in a different song today.

That's why it is so important to learn WHY you are doing something.