Regular situation... Starting out.

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:10 pm

I was thinking to start to record people for free. So that I can acquire more skills, and no one will be pissed at each other. I am not that new to the whole process. So I was thinking of giving of 2 hours of recording for free, and if they like it they can pay me as much as they want. I really don't know what is the best strategy in my situation.

Here is the list of equipment I have:

Power Mac pro
Yamaha HS80M
MOTU 8pre
Nady TMP-3
Behringer HA4700

Mics:
Sm57, Sm58, EV N868, Audix Fusion 6pk, Mxl 992 & 993.

Software:
Logic Studio 8, Kontakt 2, Amplitube, Ampeg SVX

Bass equipment:
Tech 21 rpm, Aphex 661, QSC 1450, Ampeg 8x10, Yamaha rbx 774 & rbx 760.

I have 2 rooms, not big but acoustically treated.

Picture of my control room

Photo0074.jpg

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:16 pm

Never do anything "free," if you want respect for your time and talent.

Trade for some talent they have.

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:51 pm

I know you are right, I recorded one guy for free and he would come unprepared, could not play his own song etc... Yeah I kind of forgot about it. So do you think I should start advertising for a small rate around $15/hr. What do you think of my setup?

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:31 pm

I've recorded tons of stuff for free and still do, I also do a lot of gigs that pay - but the pay was very minimal in the beginning, kinda like an internship but without the coffee and toilet paper. That's how it is when you're by yourself starting from scratch.

I've done a hell of a lot of shows in dirty, backwater bars and nightclubs, for the free beer and gas money - and occasionally I can be found in some of those same places, pushing faders for beer...

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:09 am

So, what is the best way to start? What should I say in my ad?

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:51 am

Some new pictures, what do you think about the look of the studio?

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:34 pm

Carpet Diem!

Cool rooms. Nice and clean.

Are you tall or do you mix standing up?

Sorry for being so unconstructive.

Do you go to a lot of local shows? I've been able to drum up business by talking to bands after their sets...espeically opening acts. They will probably be selling CDs of their stuff which they've probably recorded (badly) in their home or warehouse. Offer them your services an experience and give them a good product and word should spread.

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:09 pm

Table was built high, so my chair is high too + HS80m sit on angled auralex mopads.

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:19 pm

My only criticism(s) of the pics would be -

Are those carpeted walls?? Or speckle paint?

Also, the monitors are so high and way too far off of center. They're essentially acting as headphones at this point.

Can you rearrange, or are you stuck with this??

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:25 pm

Walls are carpeted, at the corners diy bass traps, I guess I can make stands shorter(made them myself too). How close should I set them? The closest they can be is right next to lcd monitors stand. By the way control room traps are diy too... and table... Thumbs Up

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:56 pm

I took stands off seems to sound better, more highs definitely

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:07 pm

I read somewhere (acoustics site, may have been Ethan Winer's) that you're supposed to have the tweeters at ear level anyway.

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:28 pm

Oh, Perfect! That is where they are right now Thumbs Up

And mixes really sound different. It feels like I walked closer to the mix... hope it makes sense, just able to hear more details hmm... Thumbs Up

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:54 pm

Take to heart what Pr0gr4m said above.
That's exactly what I'm talking about - if you're good, word will spread.

There's nothing wrong with doing your first gig or 5 for free, you're just starting out. Treat it as a hobby (I still do), and put smiles on peoples faces - that, ultimately, is what this industry is all about.

The money will come, you'll know when the pendulum swings over to that side - do some gigs to build up your chops and your repertoire first.

I know you can!

(I did)

Thumbs Up

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:01 pm

And while you're at it, shrink your pictures by a feww hundred pixels!

Wink

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