Why do people call you to record their product?

[A.David.MacKinnon]

Because the expensive guys have already fucked up and been fired and now there's no money.

[fossiltooth]

Because the expensive guys have already fucked up and been fired and now there's no money.

Hey I get that one all the time! I love those.

It's taught me that there are some of expensive guys who out there aren't necessarily that great... so much of this business is about appearances.

...or, maybe it's almost about time that we both raised our rates?

[rwc]

Because the expensive guys have already fucked up and been fired and now there's no money.

Hey I get that one all the time! I love those.

It's taught me that there are some of expensive guys who out there aren't necessarily that great... so much of this business is about appearances.

...or, maybe it's almost about time that we both raised our rates?

That happened to me two months ago. Someone was paying something crazy like $90/to record a piano/vocal album for his wedding, and it was ridden with clicks so loud that it was clipping on the final CD. He demanded his money back and spent it on me to record for 1/3 as much money. Had I known he had been to the expensive guy unsuccessfully, I would have charged more. Clearly sharper than the guy who says "I spent $40/hr and fucking hated it.. what's your rate?" He tipped well at the end, which is a clear sign that I'm charging too little.

We should all raise our rates.

He's doing duplication through my boss later this year, so all parties get paid and receive a cool product.

That's another thing that I think helps people "become engineers" - making other people money. A studio that has a new client and no engineer available is likely to call you if you bring them regular business and occasionally leave some gear there for them to use, than someone who books time once a year. When you make other people money they have this crazy notion of doing the same for you when the opportunity comes along.

"by default" should be a choice in the poll, for such situations.

[trodden]

cause i'm cheap, laid back, easy to get along with, and I have long hair dirty hair.

oh, and people think I know what i'm doing.. which i do about 75% of the time.. it wouldn't be as much fun if it weren't for the other 25%

This town is saturated.. with really good engineers, much better than me.. i don't know why people come to me actually.

[RefD]

cause i'm cheap, laid back, easy to get along with, and I have long hair dirty hair.

oh, and people think I know what i'm doing.. which i do about 75% of the time.. it wouldn't be as much fun if it weren't for the other 25%

This town is saturated.. with really good engineers, much better than me.. i don't know why people come to me actually.

the Rainier, the dreads and the rubber lizard!

[trodden]

cause i'm cheap, laid back, easy to get along with, and I have long hair dirty hair.

oh, and people think I know what i'm doing.. which i do about 75% of the time.. it wouldn't be as much fun if it weren't for the other 25%

This town is saturated.. with really good engineers, much better than me.. i don't know why people come to me actually.

the Rainier, the dreads and the rubber lizard!

and PHOTO SYNTH THANKS TO YOU!!!



Stephen (label guy), Me in the middle, and Billy Anderson on the right at soundhouse in seattle.

[8th_note]

You left out the two most common reasons my clients call me; 1) quality of past projects, and 2) referrals by past clients.

Price is definitely a consideration (I charge a modest rate by the song) but I don't have great gear, and the vibe is nothing special. I guess I'd have to say that the main thing is engineering but I sure don't consider myself to be anything special in that department.