As far as this goes (please correct me if I'm wrong), but I kind of feel that it depends on what you are doing it for as well. For example: If I said "I am a recording engineer" whether it be self taught or if I went to years of school...and I assume that this is my profession...then yeah, I'm going to want to make as much as I can off of it. However, I have a 'day job'. I work graveyard shift as a Juvenile Corrections Officer for my bread. In my case, my band and my recording and my job are all on different levels. Also, I live in an area with a shitty economy. I also teach guitar at the local music store. I charge $15/30 min lesson, because I know I won't get much more than that here. When I read about guys who are on the same level as me charging $40-$50 for a half hour, sure it makes me bitter but I also know that nobody will pay me that here. If I lived in L.A. or Seattle or (name your big city), I could probably get that without any problem.
So, in regards to James comments, I find that I agree to a point, but I think it also depends on where you are coming from. Also, and I don't mean any offense here, but is there a point where you become jaded in this after you do it for so long and you are in demand? I mean fuck...Martriden, who are also from Montana, go to Dave Otero and pay what he asks for and get the results they want. I don't know much of anyone else around here who has been able to afford to do that...I sure can't. In turn, I know many of the other bands, especially in my town, cannot afford to do so either.
As far as anyone else in my community doing the same thing, I am very proud of what I have to offer, especially for the hard rock/metal/punk bands who tend to get a dated sound because the other guys around are stuck in thier ways and don't wish to learn how to broaden thier horizons. However, I simply don't think I could ask for $4000 for a full length project: nobody here would pay that, and would quicker tell me to get fucked. Sure, if they looked outside of the state for the same work, it would cost more, but they would sooner pay the jackasses in town who got a bunch of money and bought a roland multi-track and when it comes to any sort of finalizing they just punch a preset button and call it good (yes, there are a couple of guys here who do that): then they want thier payment, and the band isn't happy but they got what they paid for.
I am starting from the bottom, essentially. I have a DAW, I have some plugins, I have a few mics, I've spent a couple of years reading input here as well as bought some books. I feel that, based only on the fact that I do have the ambition to learn and the will to meet a clients needs, that I have more to offer than the other guys around here. I simply want to build a name for myself in the area, and maybe get some equipment in return.
I don't know. I do appreciate all the input though. Please continue if you wish....
