Changing up the model.

[Loren Littlejohn]

I'm changing up my model because it's a good idea.

Old model:

Everything tracked, mixed, and (at the discretion of the band) mastered at ma home studio. Drums where whatever POS of the week they have (95% shit and with junk heads). Mics for drums were pretty meh.

New model:

I'm gonna be tracking the drums at subcat (where I interned) as a freelance d00d. Insist that bands use their kit (saves huge on setup/tear down time) since it's nicer anyhow and they maintain the fucking thing. Have access to md421 tom mics, earthworks room mics, either 414 for OH or km184, 57 for snare, 441 for bottom of snare (or other), my D6 for kick and sm81 for hats. Into pro tools HD. Signal chain going in (preamps/compressor/eq etc...) isn't to shabby either.

And from there track/mix/master everything else at home.



Now I would love to just go strait freelance, but it's hard since most of the bands I record are not keen on $55 an hour (subcat studio rate). The new model raises prices a tad, but the increase in quality I feel is more than worth the few extra in cash.

What do you guys think?

 

[devouredremains]

I would go the freelance route. The higher cost usually brings with it more professional/serious bands who are able to maintain simple things like drum heads.

 

[006]

I would go the freelance route. The higher cost usually brings with it more professional/serious bands who are able to maintain simple things like drum heads.

+1, at the last studio we charged $60/hour ($40/hour studio, $20/hour for me) and we got bands that knew their shit and had good equipment, and had their shit down because they were trying to spend as little as possible. Versus my rates now that are much lower and bring me a lot of bands that want their 1st cd recorded, etc. I know I shouldn't bitch because it keeps me busy, but damn it would be nice to record a decent band a little more often haha.

~006

 

[joeymusicguy]

i can say the same. when i raised my rates, i started getting more professional bands who were up to par with what i needed them to be to achieve the sound they desired.

+1, at the last studio we charged $60/hour ($40/hour studio, $20/hour for me) and we got bands that knew their shit and had good equipment, and had their shit down because they were trying to spend as little as possible. Versus my rates now that are much lower and bring me a lot of bands that want their 1st cd recorded, etc. I know I shouldn't bitch because it keeps me busy, but damn it would be nice to record a decent band a little more often haha.

~006

 

[Manicompression]

while Im sure this is all true about the quality of the clients you book raising along with your rates, I think Guitargod has the right idea. Frankly I If I were going to pay someone 60 dollars an hour I would just go to one of the big studios/engineers in town that have a long resume of major label clients. I mean I dont know how it is where everyone else is, but Im about 30 minutes to Cleveland Ohio, I could name atleast 3 or 4 guys who work for around that price that have some serious major label work out in the world, maybe thats because Im in a competitive market... Ive heard the stuff dude is recording and clearly he has the interest and skill but outside of drum tracking I wouldnt pay the dude anymore than say 20-30 an hour to track, mix ect.... If he insists the band starts with a quality drum recording and they are willing and understand the importance of paying 55 an hour for the results initally, he can offer them better rates thus hit a niche and also bring up the quality of his work/resume by weeding out the some of the non-hackers, then as his product improves and his quality contacts grow he can move into fulltime freelancing more safely. I would like to add that this is just my opinion and I have not actually worked in the buisness as you other guys are/have.

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

Basically how my local market works:

Bands that have money: They go to subcat and pay $55 for the whole thing, the engineers there smoke me (if I am honest with myself ). Thier gear also smokes mine.

Bands that have around $300 to spend per song (even if that gets sliced into some sort of hourly rate): Go to syracuse to moresound to record (Architech etc...), again much better at the br00talz than I am.

Bands that have $200 per song and want good shit and willing to subject themselves to a really anal engineer (at least that is what I have heard): Go to a local guy named gabe, gabe recorded If Hope Dies (A very popular band here) and therefore instant recording cred. Although I stole a band from him because IMO he made them sound very sterile.

Bands that have $100-150 per song to spend: This is where I grab bands.

Finally bands that have a really low ass budget: Go to this high school dude's ghetto studio. His stuff sounds good though (IMO).


I'm hoping doing the subcat drum thing will get me a wider client base as well (maybe they will throw me a bone every once and a while, the crew there seems to like me alright).

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

Really my problem is I'm in the wrong city .

 

[joeymusicguy]

after i got a manager, my location didnt matter anymore.

i've had people drive cross country and even fly here to record with me.

i guess if someone's got the budget, its gonna happen no matter where you're at.

*sigh* im just waiting for the day where someone invites my ass to hawaii to record haha

 

[greyskull]

thats the way to do it dude, thats what i did until i got employed at a studio full time