Care to check out the information document I made for clients?

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

I just finished writing a short information document for the bands that want their songs mixed. I've been thinking of doing this for a while now, and finally got around to it. I was wondering if you guys could read it through and give any advice and correct me if I've made mistakes.

Here's the document: http://www.tainted-studio.com/misc/TaintedStudio_ImportantInformation09.doc

Thanks a lot!

 

[joeymusicguy]

I just finished writing a short information document for the bands that want their songs mixed. I've been thinking of doing this for a while now, and finally got around to it. I was wondering if you guys could read it through and give any advice and correct me if I've made mistakes.

Here's the document: http://www.tainted-studio.com/misc/TaintedStudio_ImportantInformation09.doc

Thanks a lot!

another thing you can do (in terms of watermark) is to add short mutes every minute or so

its impossible to remove a mute

 

[ahjteam]

"Tempo and time signature: 161bpm 4/4, changes to 140bpm 3/4 at the breakdown part at 2:16, returns back to 161bpm 4/4 at the chorus at 2:45"

I would rather use beats and bars as measures instead of minutes and seconds

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

another thing you can do (in terms of watermark) is to add short mutes every minute or so

its impossible to remove a mute

Ha, that's a good point. I think I'll use that instead

I would rather use beats and bars as measures instead of minutes and seconds

Another valid point, I'll be changing that one, too.

Thanks!

 

[ahjteam]

..and I would also add the bitrate information (eg. 44/48/88/96khz @ 24bit) and that what medium should the tracks be delivered on (ftp, cd/dvd, usb/fw external flashdrive...) so that they don't put them on bluray or some other shit like that you can't open

 

[fade_2_black]

Cool bro - thats something Ive been wanting to do for a while for bands that are wanting to record. I always send off big emails but usually miss a couple of points - or the band will take it casually and not take note of a lot of my requests (/demands, hah). Im going to get onto writing one up in the next little while and will post it up here too when its all sorted.

 

[cobhc]

Could add a bit where both you and band sign it so you're both agreeing to the terms, and if they don't do everything as you've asked them, you can pull out that document saying that they've already agreed to it.

 

[Moonlight_Seeker]

I think it's nice, simple, clear and short. A good combination. However, I'm quite certain that when you write "afterwOrds" you mean "afterwArds".

 

[ahjteam]

I think it's nice, simple, clear and short. A good combination. However, I'm quite certain that when you write "afterwOrds" you mean "afterwArds".

umm.. no. I think the word Jarkko is after is "Jälkikirjoitus", which would be "Postscript", because that paragraph is about "if you can't understand the document, contact me". Afterwards is something that happens after something, so that would mean that paragraph would say something like "when done recording, I send you the bill, I recieve the money and you get the files", but it didn't. Afterwords are the final words of the document, the more common name for it is the "postscript" in english or "post scriptum" in latin, which is usually abbriviated as "PS:" in emails and stuff.

Get it?










edit: I would also add how the payment should be delivered

 

[Rez]

When we have went through the general details of the project, the artist will have to pay 50% of the settled price up front.

I think this needs clarification. I think I understand your point but others may not.


I think the afterwords section is a nice touch....

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Whoa, lots of replies! Thanks a lot to everyone who took the time to read it through

These are all definitely good points, and I'll write an updated version with all of these in mind. Thanks for the advice!

And yeah, ahjteam is right about the afterwords, but I think I'll just change it to "Post scriptum" to avoid further mistakes

 

[Moonlight_Seeker]

Ah, well, I read in the dictionary that "afterwords" is usually what a book author writes in the back of a book. So yeah I get it, but I thought it was "afterwards" in the sense of "after the recording is done".

Ah but now I re-read and yeah, the paragraph is not really about "the future". Maybe just call the paragraph "Questions?"? Post-scriptum might be good also.

 

[Fox Mulder]

umm.. no. I think the word Jarkko is after is "Jälkikirjoitus", which would be "Postscript", because that paragraph is about "if you can't understand the document, contact me". Afterwards is something that happens after something, so that would mean that paragraph would say something like "when done recording, I send you the bill, I recieve the money and you get the files", but it didn't. Afterwords are the final words of the document, the more common name for it is the "postscript" in english or "post scriptum" in latin, which is usually abbriviated as "PS:" in emails and stuff.

Get it?

edit: I would also add how the payment should be delivered

Yeh got it

 

[Torsis]

When we have went through the general details of the project...
s/b When we have GONE through the general details of the project...

 

[dontletmedrown]

I'm a grammar geek, so I definitely found some annoying things. Maybe try to use less words and be more specific. Here are a few...

-The "First of all, thank you for your interest..." should be ABOVE the "payment information" section. It's an introduction and has nothing to do with payment specifically.

-ToxicNothing got the next one that irked me...

-I'm assuming you will be sending this directly to your client, so maybe instead of saying "the client" every sentence you can just say "you". "Information required from YOU". Doesn't that have more impact?

-"At this point, you have the opportunity to request further changes on the tracks to make sure everyone is content with the final mix." FINAL MIX is important and emphasizes their final chance to change things at the mixing stage. "End results" could be about anything not necessarily mix-related (maybe mastering?) Be specific to avoid confusion.

Honestly the entire document is a bit long winded. I'd bet that for every 10 people you give this to, maybe 5 people will actually read it, and 2 might get it right. I always prefer the "long story short". Leave out your justifications for WHY you need things done. Make it a laundry list that says, "I NEED YOU TO DO THIS: 1., 2., etc." No explanation, just direction. Maybe the person reading does not agree with your reasoning. Don't give them the opportunity to do that. Just tell them exactly what you need. Even with the best possible formatting, many people are morons and will still not get it right.

 

[-Gavin-]

I'm a grammar geek, so I definitely found some annoying things. Maybe try to use less words and be more specific. Here are a few...

-The "First of all, thank you for your interest..." should be ABOVE the "payment information" section. It's an introduction and has nothing to do with payment specifically.

-ToxicNothing got the next one that irked me...

-I'm assuming you will be sending this directly to your client, so maybe instead of saying "the client" every sentence you can just say "you". "Information required from YOU". Doesn't that have more impact?

-"At this point, you have the opportunity to request further changes on the tracks to make sure everyone is content with the final mix." FINAL MIX is important and emphasizes their final chance to change things at the mixing stage. "End results" could be about anything not necessarily mix-related (maybe mastering?) Be specific to avoid confusion.

Honestly the entire document is a bit long winded. I'd bet that for every 10 people you give this to, maybe 5 people will actually read it, and 2 might get it right. I always prefer the "long story short". Leave out your justifications for WHY you need things done. Make it a laundry list that says, "I NEED YOU TO DO THIS: 1., 2., etc." No explanation, just direction. Maybe the person reading does not agree with your reasoning. Don't give them the opportunity to do that. Just tell them exactly what you need. Even with the best possible formatting, many people are morons and will still not get it right.

You ever seen a professional recording contract or label contract?

Referring to the client as "The Client", "The Artist" etc is common place and prevents the band changing their name and fucking off if you refer to them by specific names.


And it's better to cover your ass in a thousand ways than leave yourself open once.
If they don't read it, that's their fault.

 

[dontletmedrown]

Yeah, but this is not a contract. It's just an info bulletin that will be given to the person who prepares the files for mixing. This person could possibly NOT be the client.

 

[-Gavin-]

Yeah, but this is not a contract. It's just an info bulletin that will be given to the person who prepares the files for mixing. This person could possibly NOT be the client.

No but if anyone puts any steps from this document into practise then they are on their way to becoming a client.