Beepster

Another point... If he gave you the mix files, would you still expect him to maintain them if you wanted changes?

I lost two full albums I'd have liked to taken a crack at myself because of this. I foolishly figured the guy was hanging onto the original tracks because he was more than just an engineer to the band. Man I wish I had had the foresight to get those files originally. Ugh. Live and learn.

Funny thing, the projects file are less and less useful over time anyway. Try mixing a project you did in Sonar Producer with Sonar X2a. That is a challange by itself with all the difference between each version. Now image those project files came from someone elses system.
 

TraceyStudios


I said I was done, yet here I am. I am on this forum to learn. I thought that is what this forum is for.  So you shouldn't be suprised by my desire to learn. Shouldn't be suprised by me asking questions. I probably will "take a class" based on the feedback I have received in this thread.  I feel like there is this perception that if I learned anything while hiring some one to mix my music,  they would be cheated in some way or it is unfair to them.

I have looked into paid tutorials, however they are very pricey for just a couple of hours. This is a hobby, and I want to be better at it.  There is a community college that offers some courses, which a full year of courses is about the same price as I was quoted for a 2 hour tutorial. Unfortunatly takes a year, travel etc. But I would get 6 hours per week of learning plus lab time.     So I accept this reality.

Thanks all for your feedback!

Tracey, if learning is what your intent is, just ask questions about what you want to learn. This forum is perfect for that. But it requires that you jump in the mix yourself. I would recommend taking advantage of the Groove3 tutorial videos. I'm finding them an excellent tool for learning. There is also a "Groove3 Free Access" promotion going on now... "SONAR X2 Producer Content Club". Ends in February. I guarantee you will get more out of that than you would your mix files.

TraceyStudios


I think I am concerned that I have insulted the pros that offer their help. And that was really not my intention. I made the post and the got defensive or offensive when folks replied. I should have asked the question and accepted the answer. What was I thinking, Like somehow if I argued it, it would change the reality? obviously no. I feel I screwed up a good opportunity to learn from those who offer some unique help. After reading my post, one politely declined their services to me. Big reality check for me. That in itself is a important lesson I have learned.

You have absolutely no need to apologize to anyone on this thread.


You yourself have learnt a lot from the ensuing discussion, as have many of us regular posters, so in essence, good work!

i have watched many of those vids (multiple tiimes) and am still struggling with my mix. I may have burned a few bridges here, so classes somewhere may be my only option at this point.

Thanks Bristol , glad there is a positive somwhere in all of this. :) 

Funny thing, the projects file are less and less useful over time anyway. Try mixing a project you did in Sonar Producer with Sonar X2a. That is a challange by itself with all the difference between each version. Now image those project files came from someone elses system.

I was more into getting the raw WAVs than anything really. It was all done on nice gear in proper sound rooms which I no longer have the luxury of duplicating. The first session was still back in the days of digital tape but I guess the guy reused it which is a little messed up considering it was a pro studio. Figured they'd use a fresh tape for new customers but maybe he used it for his own personal purposes. The second session was all digital so I could see needing the disk space. It was my own ignorance back then. Just figured that's the type of thing that would be archived just in case. Oh well. Spilled milk and all that.

Cheers.

TraceyStudios


I think I am concerned that I have insulted the pros that offer their help. And that was really not my intention. I made the post and the got defensive or offensive when folks replied. I should have asked the question and accepted the answer. What was I thinking, Like somehow if I argued it, it would change the reality? obviously no. I feel I screwed up a good opportunity to learn from those who offer some unique help. After reading my post, one politely declined their services to me. Big reality check for me. That in itself is a important lesson I have learned.

Its funny you should think this way when I was thinking "what a good thread". At first I wasn't sure what you were asking and as it became clearer I think all of us understood not only what was being asked but the frustration you were going through. I thought you did a fine job of restraining yourself and trying to see the other point of view. 

You did just fine as far as I am concerned. I don't believe anyone would have taken the time to answer you if you had been unreasonable or unwilling to hear the other side.

  There is simply nothing to worry about or think that you did anything wrong. All you really did was start a great thread that I believe will be useful to many others.  

 

Beepster

Funny thing, the projects file are less and less useful over time anyway. Try mixing a project you did in Sonar Producer with Sonar X2a. That is a challange by itself with all the difference between each version. Now image those project files came from someone elses system.

I was more into getting the raw WAVs than anything really. It was all done on nice gear in proper sound rooms which I no longer have the luxury of duplicating. The first session was still back in the days of digital tape but I guess the guy reused it which is a little messed up considering it was a pro studio. Figured they'd use a fresh tape for new customers but maybe he used it for his own personal purposes. The second session was all digital so I could see needing the disk space. It was my own ignorance back then. Just figured that's the type of thing that would be archived just in case. Oh well. Spilled milk and all that.

Cheers.

Call me crazy, but I save my clients files indefinitely. Disk space now is relatively cheap... I have clients come back after years for changes or reprint CD's. It pays for me to pack a few terabytes into a NAS.  I don't have a Mega PRO studio, I just try to act like I do. :-) Pop by for a look... www.pristinestudios.com
 

guitardood


Don't know how anyone else feels but I thought mixing was considered a "work-for-hire" type of job and all work product in the completion of said job usually belongs to the customer unless otherwise arranged ahead of time.  As an example from the programming world: Customer asks for a program that calculates PI to 200 decimal places, they not only get the finished executable but all "documented" source-code related to the creation of said program, along with any developer notes, flowcharts and documentation.

Not sure of how legal eagles would view this, just my opinion.

On the software side it is common that source code is not provided to a customer for a custom application. However, that source is held in escrow to be made available to the customer if the software company goes away.


Cheers


Grif

TraceyStudios


i have watched many of those vids (multiple tiimes) and am still struggling with my mix. I may have burned a few bridges here, so classes somewhere may be my only option at this point.

 
If I could, I'd suggest watching them again. But this time ask specific questions about what you don't understand... Folks here seem very willing (and able) to help...