One of Thousands vs. The One

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2001 3:45 pm

Since we have a large audience coming from different parts of the country I have a question for you all. Which is better? Working as an engineer in a large city with lots of competition and studios vs. being the king of engineers in a small town with your own place?Here's where I'm coming from, I work at a place on music row in Nashville. I'm one of 3000 guys in this town recording music for a living. Great community and great studios but not the greatest money around. Going back home with some "credentials" I think I could do well with my own place, but is this just a case of "the grass is always greener"?What motivates people to open their own commercial studios? Are most of these started by people who want to work on their own projects or can you see someone who is only an engineer with their own place? Does it make sense to open a place now with the explosion in afordable home studio gear? Do you think that the predicted demise of the mid-size studio is still going to happen? :p

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2001 4:18 pm

We had studios in small towns, most of the business, large projects in particular, came from metro Detroit. I suppose that with rents and overhead sometimes lower in general, translated into lower production costs for our clients. I never felt the competative territory thing in any part of Southeastern Michigan, in fact studio's were scattered 60 to 80 miles in any direction. Nashville being the music capitol, has got to be rough if you are an independent. --Rick

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2001 10:32 am

hey Tiny,just where are you thinking of "going back to"? keep in mind that the bigger the town recording studio/audio-wise, the more competition you'll encounter. i can't say from experience, but i imagine that in LA, NYC, and even in Chicago engineers are a dime a dozen (just like guitar players are in Nashville, haw Very Happy

)....i would think that once you find your niche and do it well, you would probably do ok. if you're planning on starting up your own studio, may the gods have mercy on you....Drew Rydberg (aka ujaku)

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2001 11:04 am

keep in mind that moving to a smaller "market" means you will have to deal with "smaller" peopleby that i mean.......working with pro's is a great thing working with the local cats in the smaller town you get whatever walks in the doorand from what i have learned they all want free time, free materials, more more more...... and you always hear "we're ganna blow up man, and when we do we'll pay you"it always makes me remember that scene from boogie nightsand on top of all that you will now have overhead which means: even if you are working with some labels on "cool" projects you will still have to deal with the bullsh*t to ensure you get the bills paid and keep your doors openjust my 2 pennies, j.hall

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2001 10:41 pm

Tiny,When you think the local market and your chops will caryy you it's time to do it.I spent years in the biz before I took the plunge and there're lots of good clients, even in a small town. But I would suggest +managing+ a world class facility as well as engineering. The business realities are priceless and the more you learn about the business the better off you are when you go it solo.Cheers,TB

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