I would do per day, I am moving in that direction now, and include mixing for free (but revised parts or any changes will be charged per hour)
Per song, or per day?
- Thread starter NSGUITAR
- Start date
got a question:
if you don't do the flat rate thing like x amount of money for the album,
do you keep track of the time you edited and mixed a sheet or something lie that?
i'm wondering cause if you demand 50$ per hour for tracking, that's the time when the client can see you work. but what's with the editing and mixing stage?
you probably will do this alone but how do you tell your client:"oh i just had to slip edit all the guitar and bass tracks and i took me like 10 hours per song."
your client won't believe you, probably. so how to you go about charging money for editing and mixing? do you have to prove it to your client?
if you don't do the flat rate thing like x amount of money for the album,
do you keep track of the time you edited and mixed a sheet or something lie that?
i'm wondering cause if you demand 50$ per hour for tracking, that's the time when the client can see you work. but what's with the editing and mixing stage?
you probably will do this alone but how do you tell your client:"oh i just had to slip edit all the guitar and bass tracks and i took me like 10 hours per song."
your client won't believe you, probably. so how to you go about charging money for editing and mixing? do you have to prove it to your client?
Fox Mulder
The Truth Is Out There
I charge per day, whether the artist wants it mixed and mastered or not. Why? Because input=output.
what would you say are the cons of charging tracking per hour? seems most of you are doing it per day.
Jarkko Mattheiszen
The FU guy.
I've found it to be largely psychological. If the band knows I'm charging by the hour, they feel like the clock is ticking all the time and it's costing them money. If I'm charging by day, say max 10 hours, they feel more relaxed
Jarkko Mattheiszen
The FU guy.
Figure out how much you need to still have from a day's salary to pay the bills and eat after you have paid the taxes and factored in insurance, accounting and other permanent outgoings. That's the minimum number.
As for what other people charge, it doesn't really matter as it ranges from five bucks per song (the usual "cracked Cubase, stolen Waves" kind of rodent) to five figure numbers (the real big league guys).
I charge $150 per studio day I spend with them with a $300 project min.
I factor about 1 day of studio time per song as well.
so if they're doing 3 songs: $450.
1/3 of it goes to the studio. the rest goes to my pocket for my time.
I factor about 1 day of studio time per song as well.
so if they're doing 3 songs: $450.
1/3 of it goes to the studio. the rest goes to my pocket for my time.
AdamWathan
Member
Check out this thread, it will be helpful:
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/andy-sneap/550984-people-struggling-rates-how-charge.html
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/andy-sneap/550984-people-struggling-rates-how-charge.html
I charge per day for tracking and per song for mixing. I only implemented the mixing charge lately as I found some bands were trying to cram too much into 1-2 days recording. Had bands decide on the day to try do 2 songs in the 1-2 days rather than just the one since it wsn't gonna cost them anything extra but was effectively doubling my work load.
Per day works out very well for the tracking, it's more relaxed and flexible than per hour and makes sure you don't get screwed on time. If I'm working with a band that I like or am friends with them I'm flexible with my rates. I'll often drop the mixing charge or throw in an extra half day to re do vocals or something if they need it.
The rate you charge is entirely up to you. I'd like to think I'm cheap while still delivering a decent product, I'm still not working with the greatest recording gear so I'd feel bad charging what regular studios in Ireland do but it's helping me drum up business and I earn enough to make a living as a sound engineer so I'm happy.
Per day works out very well for the tracking, it's more relaxed and flexible than per hour and makes sure you don't get screwed on time. If I'm working with a band that I like or am friends with them I'm flexible with my rates. I'll often drop the mixing charge or throw in an extra half day to re do vocals or something if they need it.
The rate you charge is entirely up to you. I'd like to think I'm cheap while still delivering a decent product, I'm still not working with the greatest recording gear so I'd feel bad charging what regular studios in Ireland do but it's helping me drum up business and I earn enough to make a living as a sound engineer so I'm happy.
