Recording other artists

Reece....you're not serious, are you?

You would have.
He would have made you think of it!

was his name CJ

Reece, does he really want praise or is he honestly asking your opinion? My problem is I'm too honest. When someone asks my opinion, I ask them if they are sure they want it because they may not like what I say. I'm working with a few talented artists from this board right now. One of them is too talented for his own good, but he's not perfect. I'd feel like I was doing him an injustice if I just said all nice things. Granted, if something is good, I'm going to go out on a limb and make sure he knows it blew my doors off.

I also know that he is most likely financially secure and money is not an issue with our project. However, before I do comment on his stuff I make sure that my comments are credible for the style. I'd hate like heck to have him spend a boat load of money with me because I didn't like what he did so he kept at it until he made me happy....and spent way too much. You have to find a happy medium with this stuff. If you are not down with something, you should never fear that you'd hurt someones feelings to where they would go somewhere else. You're a pretty good communicator from what I see bro....I don't think you'd come off wrong as long as you're professional.

I tell my guys I work with that I will be brutally honest with them. But I'm never hurtful. They trust in me because they know for most things, I know what I'm talking about and would never do anything to get my name on something or for the sake of prolonging the project, detering their progress or making more money off of them. But sometimes you have to make the call when something isn't quite right. The reason being, it's your name on that too as the engineer or producer. When the stuff gets played for other people, you want them to say "wow, where did you have that recorded at...it sounds terrific!" Instead of..."uggh, where did you have that recorded at...it sounds terrible?!"

You have to be happy with it too unless you are just in business to provide a service based on the clients vision. That's how it starts for me too, but as they get to know me and see/hear what I'm about, they ask me things they may not ask another engineer. It's all in the delivery, ya know? But I can't let something out of my studio that I'm not happy with unless someone comes to me and says "look, we have this vision...it's etched in stone and isn't really negotiable or up for discussion. We need to perform and we need you to just capture what we perform and we'll run the show." I've never been in that position and I hope I never am. I like to think that I have made a major difference in the sounds my clients get because they trusted in my opinions past and present. I like being the 5th Beatle, ya know? I like when they ask me what I'm thinking or "how would you do this, Danny?" It's really an honor if you think about it. Someone is asking you to help them with their art. They want you to be a part of it...help them see it through because they may be too close to it while missing the obvious. They may need you to crack the whip on them to perform in a way they would never perform without you. You push them to another level and it's a good thing especially if you know the style and what you're talking about.

The guy I mentioned that I'm working with....he sent me really great stuff as a starting point. But he really wanted me to get involved to make it better. Listening back to what we had from the start vs. what we have now...the differences are night and day in my opinion and it was for the better. It took a bit longer, it cost a few more dollars, but the end results totally obliterate what we started with and we both feel this way. So don't be afraid to take the bull by the horns and make a difference. You'll enjoy things a lot more and it also helps you to learn and grow because you involve yourself in something you may not have ever thought you'd get involved with before. The end result of this can mean even more business your way because you got involved and made a difference for the better. And, most importantly, you made the client happy to where now he has trust in you and knows that without you, his material will not be as strong. :) Best of luck Reece!

-Danny

Danny - you are absolutely correct about being honest.  it is necessary.  and this guy is good, especially when he's "ad-libbing" on the fly with the backing he's already laid down.  I do believe that if I were to give him honest feedback which wasn't 100% praise that he would appreciate it.  so far, tho, I've not been much of a "producer" - mostly just a "tape recorder" if you know what I mean.  When we start the CD project he'll have to be able to handle a more "honest" approach to the work.  The CD will not only reflect on him, but on me as well, so it will need to be as good as I can help him be as a producer and mixing engineer.  So far, tho, he hasn't paid for that yet.  he's only paid for empty praise and me pushing a couple of buttons. 

I do that occassionally just to keep everyone on their toes.



(it's easier for me to get their becan if they're on their toes!!!)

 
Welcome back Pedro
 
Where have you been hiding?