professional recording engineer

<----- I am, as well as some others.

Ask away.

ORIGINAL: jmarkham

Where do you rate eating and sleeping in your life prioritization?

I buy these little ramen noodle cups from Sams and keep them in the studio. Also there is a water cooler that is doubles as a water heater!!! Mainly for Tea, but works with the noodle cups too... And plastic spoons next to the coffee maker. Not only are these popular with the younger bands, but they make a great drink/meal when I haven't had a chance to eat. Sleep?

How well do you tolerate emotionally unstable personalities?

My ability to do this is at least as responisible for my income as is my ability to mix. And I used *tempered* glass for all the windows for the control room and the booths.

Would you resolve yourself to never owning anything which is not "certified pre-owned"?

I should show you a picture of these SM81s I have on spec from a producer friend. They look like they were tied to a back of a truck with a chain and dragged from one city to another... I don't know how they sound yet. That will be the fun. Maybe one of them sounds really nasty in a cool way?

Does sunlight deprivation have any negative impact on your overall mood?

Thre is not a single window or skylight inthe Noisevault Studio. I am not sure if this is good or bad, but it keeps the noise out/in. "It's just like Vegas in here, Baby!!!"(tm)

True or False:
"Even though I know that what the person is telling me is
not based in audio science, I will believe them and obey
because they have been doing it for 57 years"

"Tralse".

Multiple Choice (choose up to 2):
If my girlfriend becomes emotionally involved with the
lead singer of the band I'm recording, I would:
a. Take it as a normal part of my profession.
b. Shove a Shure SM57 down his throat
c. Make his tracks sound like crap
d. Dump my girlfriend for the lead singer's girlfriend.

Man I wouldn't waste a 57 on that. I have some old splintery drumsticks in the corner of the mainroom... Oh, and I wouldn't be shoving anything in the 'down' direction.

True or False:
It's OK to pretend that I've used an ICON-D 96 console because
in all likelihood, nobody in the room has either.

I wonder what would happen if I stenciled 'Neve' on the meter bridge of my Amek/Tac Bullet? (really just TAC -- haha I just did it)

How strongly do you agree with this statement:
I really value a clients money. If i have to work from 2:00am to 5:00am so
he can get off-peak rates, we're both sticking it to the man!

That time of day(?) is my really creative time. It is MORE expensive.

True of False:
Dynamic range is overrated .... Track slamming is the "Name of the Game"

Not on the converters... but lot's of other places sure. I have some things that sound bad, but don't really sound BAAAAAD until the unit in the rack-space above them starts to melt.

Please send your responses and i'll let you know if you qualify to ask a professional engineer,

Oh... I thought this was a questionaire FOR professional engineers... hrm... I should read ahead... and also get a lawyer.

Haha... Thanks for the heads up. I will see that I get it fixed as soon as possible. It seems the alex archive is missing from all the places I thought I might have it. :(

However... If you have the unit... it is really easy to make the impulse yourself. Have you thought about trying it?

cAPS

silly question!!!! this is sonar's forum remember ... we're all amateur!

Though I see the smile.... I am pro producer/arranger/mixer/remixer and was offended by that remark.

is anyone here a professional recording engineer? i have some questions regarding the career.

Well, fire away.

those were good, jmarkam!

but really, recording... it's all about the exotic art of making the vocalist NOT nervous... right?

is anyone here a professional recording engineer? i have some questions regarding the career.

Is that it, is that the actual question? in a kind of
"may I ask you a question"
"well, you just did" kind of way?

ORIGINAL: evansmalley

those were good, jmarkam!

but really, recording... it's all about the exotic art of making the vocalist NOT nervous... right?

luckily, the studio i hang at is near a well-stocked liquor store, a good pizza place, and
a strip club (called "the brass rail" for good reason). we do what we can to put our
artists at-ease. of course, these amenities are extras ;-)

jeff

I noticed he hasn't come back with any questions. If he scares off this easily there's a snowball's chance in Canoga he'll make it as a mixer.

Dan

I noticed he hasn't come back with any questions.

Give the guy a chance. He could be busy doing other things.

this thread is fun!
some of you really made me laugh
there's many professionals around here, if you check the forum on a daily basis you will know what I am talking about

Where do you rate eating and sleeping in your life prioritization?

i haven't slept in about 20 days... without the use of any drugs minus beer. i eat whatever people bring me.

How well do you tolerate emotionally unstable personalities?

pretty well, you should see how i handle my girlfriend

Would you resolve yourself to never owning anything which is
not "certified pre-owned"?

if it works it works

Does sunlight deprivation have any negative impact on your overall
mood?

no

True or False:
"Even though I know that what the person is telling me is
not based in audio science, I will believe them and obey
because they have been doing it for 57 years"

i know that guy. he is an idiot.

Multiple Choice (choose up to 2):
If my girlfriend becomes emotionally involved with the
lead singer of the band I'm recording, I would:
a. Take it as a normal part of my profession.
b. Shove a Shure SM57 down his throat
c. Make his tracks sound like crap
d. Dump my girlfriend for the lead singer's girlfriend.

e. have the singers girlfriend and mine get it on!

How strongly do you agree with this statement:
I really value a clients money. If i have to work from 2:00am to 5:00am so
he can get off-peak rates, we're both sticking it to the man!

that is what employees are for.

True of False:
Dynamic range is overrated .... Track slamming is the "Name of the Game"

there is no need to answer this question

These forums are so funny.

I just love poking my head in here.


Peace

well, my original post wasn't my actual question. i've been busy and forgot that i even started this thread. i'm wondering:

1) are most jobs contract (with radio stations, tv shows, etc.) or are they with bands?
2) if most of the jobs are with bands, how steady is the work?
3) how many hours does the average recording engineer put in per week?
4) what kind of money is made?
5) regarding questions 3 and 4: does this differ significantly depending on whether someone lands a
job with a popular band, etc.?
6) is landing a well-paying job with a band, radio station, tv show, etc. hard to get?
7) must i work in a large city, or are there jobs in smaller cities (75,000 people or so)?

well, that's all i can think of for now. thanks.