gswitz



I think the cost of the deliverable is kinda high though. I'll record 3 hours of music in a garage or a bar and it will take my 60+ hours to mix if I race through it. I could do a sloppy job, but it's got my name on it. I offer the original WAVs in case they'll make their own mix that I can learn from, but that never happens. I do this for free and I can end up feeling resentful which is no good for anyone.

Your a lot like me on the entire process.  I do it mainly out of fun and to learn but ya have to get something for your time and investment.


I try to make them feel where I come from with it and usually end up with free meals, drinks, throughout the process while having a good time and most of the time walk away with $100-$200 in tips for time and expenses as well.


One thing I push once everything is set up and ready is for them to just be their selves and act like Im not there.  They know if their not happy with a take and will rerun it at their discretion.  I do get them to pause for a second inbetween takes/songs to allow for a fast Save/Save As and then take off running again.  I feel my place is to capture the best sound I can to work with and rarely feel a need to address how they play or perform something.


In the end they feel like they had control the entire time and know what they produced for you to work with and will be happy with what "They did". You just take it back, take your time and give them a good mix as you feel it should be.  I let them take that (give them some time with it and a note pad) write down any thing they feel they would like to change, add, etc... Most of the time they will be TICKLED PINK with what you do for them and will compensate for everything even if you dont ask for it

@digi2ns We sound pretty similar actually. I even have an FastTrack Ultra too. I have some better gear but mostly I'm hobby budget. I think part of the issue may be that I'm not actually budgeting enough time. Maybe if I spend a couple of weeks mixing and THEN sit with the band... Then they don't have to watch me make every tweak, but they can make global suggestions.

@digi2ns, since you mix like me, how do you remember all the track settings for each tune that you don't have envelopes for? I was thinking about a CAL script to export the pro channel settings to a folder... maybe prompt for a song name and save each track's pro channel as Project_Song_Track

Thoughts?

Alot of my work is recording lengthy sessions of multiple songs.

Once we have done the tracking session itself, which most of the time might be their practice somewhere, Ill pack up and keep in touch with them.

Once I get back unpack and set up for mixing,
I break the songs down if I havent done it into single song takes,
I find the one song I want to start with and start picking away at it.
When you get to a point where Im happy with it Ill do a Save As - Master for a template
Close out and open that file up and wipe out the clips and save it.

Then from there on out I open this Master up and Drag and Drop all the songs in one at a time and do a Save As on each.

Then you are close to being ready to start doing the picking away, cleaning up, adding, and mixing what ever you think it might need.

When I get them all lined out somewhat Ill burn a copy, go grab a 12 pack of Budlight and pay 'em a visit or they come over and we sit and listen and chat about it.

I like to give them all the time they want to listen and make notes suggestions at their own pace and then get back to me.

Make the changes and let 'em have at it  

This is just a very short version but to the point I guess

Most people see videos on TV or cable and want to yell into the mike or grab it like a carrot.  Or they're used to using an SM-58 in a live situation. They have no understanding of the subtleties of microphone work in the studio.

I think you should make a short track of past customers that shows what poor microphone technique sounds like.  Let the new customers understand that they need to learn something new.  Not only will they appreciate the education, but they will appreciate you for teaching them something that will prevent them from embarrassing themselves in other studio situations.  It may even increase your business.

It will also simplify your mixing and eq process, giving them a much better end-product.  This may be a blessing in disguise!

Duke

Starbuckle


 They have no understanding of the subtleties of microphone work in the studio.

It will also simplify your mixing and eq process, giving them a much better end-product.  This may be a blessing in disguise! 

Duke

That is a VERY Good point Duke.


One thing I do is a little chat with people before hand and bring this exact thing up (As just a heads up to them)


Position on the mics, Not to get to carried away on the drums as far as real light hits to bone crushing hammers, and dont ever change volumes on any of the cabinets or FX while in the middle of recording

Really makes it easier on us in the end and less chance of something happening and wrecking a track

gswitz


@digi2ns We sound pretty similar actually. I even have an FastTrack Ultra too. I have some better gear but mostly I'm hobby budget. I think part of the issue may be that I'm not actually budgeting enough time. Maybe if I spend a couple of weeks mixing and THEN sit with the band... Then they don't have to watch me make every tweak, but they can make global suggestions.

One thing I keep in mind up front and make them understand before anything is that I do do it as a hobby and my entire goal in helping others is to give them something that sounds good to provide to clients they are wanting to lock in for play dates and gigs.


I know am not anywhere even close to being a studio and dont want that kind of responsibilty as far as the recordings go.  (Its a limitation thing to me-Gear and knowledge   


But I can and have given a product that customers are pleased with and that has pleased and gotten the point across to clients for them. 


Everyones happy and I had a great time doing it.  To me that the important thing along side of keeping my limitations and goals in mind.




Dont get me wrong though-Id LOVE nothing more than to have more cash than I know what to do with and have a professional studio and the knowledge that goes with it BUT.....      I am happy just the way I am


My main point with this is to have a good time and the customer knows that its NOT going to be a Metallica or Zach Brown kind of Quality but it will sound decent enough to enjoy and pass around  LOL

Thanks Digi2ns. I like the idea of saving the songs in different projects. I don't usually do this. Normally, I mix them all in the same project.

Starbuckle, I like the idea of the example of bad recordings.

Thanks for chiming in. I also like the idea of stepping away for a few days. It really makes a difference.

gswitz


Thanks Digi2ns. I like the idea of saving the songs in different projects. I don't usually do this. Normally, I mix them all in the same project.

Starbuckle, I like the idea of the example of bad recordings.

Thanks for chiming in. I also like the idea of stepping away for a few days. It really makes a difference.

Im a FIRM believer in breaks.  I really start missing alot when I go to long.  


I like to stay on it but I find that breaks really re-focus what Im working on and it gives my ears a break to get back to where they should be even though my hearing sux