broke...
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Posted on Jun 23, 2005 03:49 pm
wontdieinPA
Member Since: Apr 27, 2002
im on my last leg...i dont even know what to do,...i quit my job to work in the studio, i make 10 dollars an hour, but dont get paid till a project gets done...i have one project going on now and we just hit the 30 hour mark...and we still need to do synth, vox, and mix...and i have not a dime to my name...while the bands i record walk in and out with food, cigarettes, energy drinks (my one and only vice)...and i cant even put gas in my car...or buy cigarettes...and just to think...when its all done ill have them for somewhere between 40-45 hours....so basically...i worked 2 1/2 weeks to get paid the same amount of money that any other local studio gets for EIGHT HOURS...and i do better work, everyone knows it...everyone tells me...2 out of the 3 local studios have lowered their rates to compete with me! one has offered me a job...making 6 dollars an hour (out of the 45/hr. that they charged before they dropped to 30 an hour for a monthly special)...im getting beyond frustrated...im gonna snap...ive threw myself into my craft...i learn every day...i practice different mic techniques in my free time...do practice mixes on old projects till 3 in the morning with headphones...i live for this stuff...and it seems like the thing i live for is actually going to be the end of me...
-done venting-
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Jun 23, 2005 03:56 pm Well, I see some good here, if you are making waves in the local area, and other studios are lowering their price, raise yours, not much, but some, $10 an hour is too cheap.
Rule numero uno about business, undercut your competition, but not by too much or you won't be taken seriously. If your best compeition is 30 an hour, you should be charging at least 20. Also, change your payment schedule, ask for some up front...
I know people that have raised their prices to try to slow down business, but it's actually brought more...think about it.
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Jun 23, 2005 05:01 pm I agree with DB. Remember that not only are you an budding Engineer, you are now a business owner and that has to be part of "your craft" so to speak.
So it looks like your biggest hurdle would be the payment schedule. Look into being paid at the end of a session or a percentage up front when booking a session. Raising your rates might be a good idea but if you don't have a good schedule in place you'll still feel the hard times between payments.
Good Luck
Jun 23, 2005 05:34 pm i just got a call from a manager for a band in new jersey...i live in northeast pa...they are playing a showcase and need a demo of new material...they chose me...and they need a lockout...1 week lockout...8 hours a day for 6 days...and i told him 15/hr....its a gradual increase...but i want 15% up front before i even book the session...but i can only take a money order...so...once i receive it...the dates are booked i told him...
and also...a local band just got signed to a small independent record label based out of chicago and has plans to record a full length at portrait studios in lincoln park, new jersey and has asked me if id be interested in producing there record,...and i said sure,...and they asked if i wanted a solid-rate...points...both...hourly...but i dont know what to choose...i know personally that im going to sit down with these guys for some intense pre-production so we all know what we are doing before we step foot into the studio...
everything looks good....but im still broke..ha...i cant even afford gaffer's tape...but then again, i also dont know where to find it...but the studio used to have some...but its all out...
Jun 23, 2005 05:40 pm you just got a 50% raise, congrats. Just think of the day the current project pays and the new project gets you the money order...
I am an independent consultant...depending on the contracts, there are some lean times between paydays, ya gotta learn to manage the money wisely...and just as a personal soapbox stance, I gotta say blowing it on something as stupid as cigarettes ain't helpin' ;-)
Jun 23, 2005 06:45 pm yah...cigarettes are out of the question from here on out...2 packs a day...10 bucks a day....70 bucks a week...more on the weekends...sometimes 3 packs if im out...but we'll stick with 70 bucks...thats like...280 a month...or...almost a new Sennheiser MD421 for my toms every month...nuts..
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jun 23, 2005 09:33 pm makes quitting smoking easier :)
Jun 24, 2005 02:24 am i've found that you if ya give the band the first day free, and when they pay that day off, they can come back....it works real well basicaly they pay for the last session every time they come in...write a reciept...it's pretty easy for 4 people (band) to come up with the money if they wanna record that way...and you get money every session...is veddy good deal!
Jun 24, 2005 02:25 am WYD...thats actually a great idea...im gonna do that from here on out...it seems to be somewhat fool proof
Jun 24, 2005 02:27 am yep state that up front, and everyone is on the same page....gives them the benifit to run a tab so they really arn't as worried about running up hours in the studio.
§;o)
jmailjimmie neutronMember
Since: Feb 14, 2005
Jun 24, 2005 07:07 am And you want to avoid that all-too-often situation where the band self-destructs, and attempts to drag everyone associated with them down. Bands all too often have "common" owned equipment and bills and have a time of it when there are "personality conflicts" and can't get beyond the who's-responsible-for-what stage. All too often, the "little" guys (roadies who haven't been paid for the last gig, the sound/light guys, the small-studio owner) are the ones left holding the bag... very unstable at times. Don't let that tab get too big.
Jun 24, 2005 11:31 am lol
spot on!!!
i here ya...all too well
§;o)
Jun 24, 2005 11:32 am wait, small, local and regional rock bands never break up do they?
I've seen bands break up while I was mastering their disk...and over the dumbest stuff...it's funny, some of the best soap opera material is there for the taking in the world of bands...
Jun 24, 2005 01:23 pm haha...i was in a band that broke while were mixing our cd...haha...incredible
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jun 24, 2005 02:51 pm hard knee!!!
no, soft knee!!!
no, hard knee!!!
fine, I quit.
hehehe
Jun 24, 2005 03:18 pm lol
jmailjimmie neutronMember
Since: Feb 14, 2005
Jun 24, 2005 05:12 pm ...and never, ever, no way ever-never, leave the drummer in the control room alone with your girlfriend... under no circumstances. Instant band breakup.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jun 24, 2005 05:25 pm I don't know the music business but in general, it's not just the "small guy" that can burn you. Bigger companies (bands too I would think) can go under as well. This can be a bigger problem as the amount of cash being owed is usually a lot larger. Stick to your policy regardless of whom your client is.
