How to get paid for recording and mixing.

[Daybreak]

So... Found this video. I sincerely apologize if this isn't the right place or way to post this, but I feel a lot of people might want too see this. I learned a lot at least, haha.



And, if YOU are currently getting paid for your work and such, you might as well give tips to the newbies on how to transition into that, 'cause I can see a lot of people being interested in this, haha.

 

[mva801]

Quick summary: Practice. Don't Suck. Find people to record for free. Suck even less. When you're making recordings you feel are decent, start charging. As you get better, raise your rates.

Years ago when I started getting a few clients as an intern at a studio, I charged $15 an hour. I charge $25-30 now, but I have a studio space I spend a few hundred a month paying rent into.

 

[jval]

pretty simple...
1. you have to be good enough to be worth money.
2. start with low rates and gradually raise them over time according to your skills and demand.

 

[meanmrmustad]

I've charged right from the very start, recording/mixing is where i get most of my money and my best mic is a behringer.

Just spread the word, and work will come.

 

[Bay Studio]

Quick summary: Practice. Don't Suck. Find people to record for free. Suck even less. When you're making recordings you feel are decent, start charging. As you get better, raise your rates.

Years ago when I started getting a few clients as an intern at a studio, I charged $15 an hour. I charge $25-30 now, but I have a studio space I spend a few hundred a month paying rent into.

Exactly this! I went that path, and now i´m charging 200$ for mixing + mastering. And the bands gladly pay that price in my city, since there are only 2 or 3 metal studios here, including me.

Working for free in the beginning is essential, and i even do free stuff from time to time; Especially test mixes. Gotta do those for free. But hey, you mostly get positive results, and the band will most likely come back for an EP or an Album!

 

[Daybreak]

How did you go about actually finding clients? Started with friends, and there after the rumor spread? Did you message a lot of people asking to record/mix their stuff? I'm having a hard time finding clients. ):

 

[mva801]

Well I started interning at a very nice well known studio around here. The owner noticed that I didn't suck, so he started feeding me a few "favor" clients. Like people he knew who just wanted half a day, or couldn't afford much. He'd let me just bring in friends to record when no one was booking the studio. Soon enough I was getting gigs when the other house engineer was busy or people couldn't quite afford him, and bam. before I knew it I WAS the house engineer. So a lot of my work is brought by way of the studio I'm at, and most of the rest is word of mouth. I do ZERO advertising or approaching of bands. Haven't even been to a show in 8 months. I guess if I wanted to fill up my calendar with metal bands I'd start going to a bunch of shows, talking to the band members about recording, offer to do a song for free, yada yada. I've done that once or twice and each time the band has done a full record with me. Like the guy in the video says, just find ways to record anyone, even if it's cheap or free, and use that to attract them to you. Just DONT BE AFRAID TO DEMAND WHAT YOURE WORTH.

 

[MusicProductionTips.net]

Quality of your productions = word of Mouth
word of mouth + some manual promotion (or even paid advertising) = win

 

[Bay Studio]

How did you go about actually finding clients? Started with friends, and there after the rumor spread? Did you message a lot of people asking to record/mix their stuff? I'm having a hard time finding clients. ):

Word spread pretty early, actually. I always recorded everything for my old band (Kill The Lycan), and people got interested.
After a couple of clients i made a facebook page for my studio, and from then on i just practiced ALOT, mostly every day.
Go to alot of concerts in your area, talk to alot of people about their recordings etc. If you don´t suck, you´ll get work alot easier. It also depends on how many studios there are in your area. As i said, in austria i can only count 3 studios that do mostly metal, including me.
Recording for free in the beginning is a good idea. But, i´d only go into that if your quality isnt up yet.
Things start rolling if you deliver consistent quality products. Word of mouth is probably still the most efficient.