...for recording by the hourly rate? The minute you show up? When you start setting up mics? Just during tracking?
Fire it up!
Fire it up!
At what point do YOU start charging....?
- Thread starter Executioner213
- Start date
Torniojaws
They call me Juha
I'd say that the clock starts ticking when you've set the session time to start (eg. at 09:00) and ends when you're done for the day. So, probably the minute you show up.
Sinister Mephisto
1337
- Sep 20, 2005
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When ever you agree to start. If they show up late, they should be charged for that time. But if they get there early and start unloading, then good for them.
MetalWorks
Member
It seems that most places I know of have a no charge for setup time policy.
It makes sense to me that a band shouldnt have to pay while they are putting their drum set together or while you are micing it and getting everything configured.
I pesonally don't start charging the band until I have the session loaded up and all of the tracks armed and ready to record.
Generally things can go wrong durring setup.
Mic cable issues, snake input issues, configuring all of your cable inputs to the mixer or DAW. Setting up all of the tracks.
Some times there are problems, sometimes it goes slow. And of course sometimes things are fast and trouble free.
I don't feel that a band should have to pay for down time like that.
So generally I say No charge for setup up, but up to an hour. Leaving an exception if the band is taking too long and its not my fault.
When you go to work every day, you arent getting paid for the fact that you are using your personal time to get ready and drive to and from work.
Same principal.
Now if a band was supposed to show up and is 2 hours late and didn't have a good excuse, they should be charged for the loss of business time.
But those kinds of policies should be started before hand.
It makes sense to me that a band shouldnt have to pay while they are putting their drum set together or while you are micing it and getting everything configured.
I pesonally don't start charging the band until I have the session loaded up and all of the tracks armed and ready to record.
Generally things can go wrong durring setup.
Mic cable issues, snake input issues, configuring all of your cable inputs to the mixer or DAW. Setting up all of the tracks.
Some times there are problems, sometimes it goes slow. And of course sometimes things are fast and trouble free.
I don't feel that a band should have to pay for down time like that.
So generally I say No charge for setup up, but up to an hour. Leaving an exception if the band is taking too long and its not my fault.
When you go to work every day, you arent getting paid for the fact that you are using your personal time to get ready and drive to and from work.
Same principal.
Now if a band was supposed to show up and is 2 hours late and didn't have a good excuse, they should be charged for the loss of business time.
But those kinds of policies should be started before hand.
MetalWorks
Member
I think thats the key.
You need to have a start time in mind but should have a window for them to get there and setup.
If you want to start at 12:00 noon, let them get there at 11:00 or 11:30 and go setup. And hopefully your hitting play and record at 12 and the session begins.
Seriously...? You guys setup and are ready to hit record on drums or guitars in 30min? Man I can take 2-4 hours on the drum sounds...
Sinister Mephisto
1337
- Sep 20, 2005
- 2,900
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If it's a really quick demo maybe. If possible I'd rather spend at least an hour or two setting up. But actually, I think setting up is something you can charge for. The band is paying for your time and your expertise. Both of which are involved in setting up.
I charge by the song so I don't have to think about this stuff.
I charge by the song so I don't have to think about this stuff.
be fair.... if you can justify to yourself charging then money do it.... be a nice guy, it totally sucks if the band is stressed out over time/cost . i enjoy recording and working with other bands... its my hobby, so i usually round down when calculating the amount hours we recorded. that way i can let them know progressively throughout the sesh the total cost, and its lower than they expect it. business strategies i guess
Jabcob
Eschatological Magi
egan.
daylightdies.com
everybody's x
My name is Damage
+1
sometimes more than that.
I do a day rate, project rate, or per song rate and save all the hourly BS. How many times have you had to chase down a buzz here or there? Or some gremlin in the system? I want the band thinking about their performance, not about how much my cigarette break is costing them.
Genius Gone Insane
http://www.¯\(°_o)/¯.com
I don't charge for hour, it's always the same amount, One day is a certain amount. be it 10 hours or 6 hours
but sometimes if I have to work like 14 hours I charge more just because of the amount of work.
but sometimes if I have to work like 14 hours I charge more just because of the amount of work.
Kazrog
Kazrog, Inc.
I put my pants on the same way as everyone else, one leg at a time. The difference is, after that, I start making gold records.
Glenn Fricker
Very Metal &Very Bad News
I always charge for setup time.... If the drummer wants to set his kit up in the drum room the night before, that's fine, I'd prefer that... No charge there. But when I start putting up mics, adjusting this & that, tuning them, etc, that, for me is when I work hardest. Of course I'm gonna charge for that. Then again, I've been known to spend 8 hours on setting up & tweaking drums...
exactly what i do too...
and also agreed setup is the most intense time for me work wise, and certainly uses my knowlege far more than hitting record over and over again
LSD-Studio
HCAF crusher
EXACTLY!
you're getting paid for your service and knowledge IMO...
setting up mics is a service and requires said knowledge...of course you should get paid for that!
If you have some contractor doing the piping in your house you're paying the time he needs to screw pieces together, is welding stuff etc as well!
setting up mics is a crucial part in getting a good drumsound...it would not be in the band's favor to hurry...if you're not getting paid for your working-time you would have to hurry cause you gotta pay the rent.
and that work can definitely not be compared to driving to work etc....you won't charge for that, but setting up mics IS the work
