Attended vs. Unattended sessions. Different Rate?

[Ryan Silva]

Whilst mixing do you find Unattended sessions are a way to save you're clients money and your self time? Is it ever worth it to lower you're rate to work alone?

Thanks

[chris harris]

I only offer flat rates for unattended sessions. All attended sessions are billed at my standard hourly or day rates.

For unattended stuff, I can work on my own time, without distractions. So, I offer this a little cheaper, with per song rates.

[drumsound]

I do a good bit of mixing with no one there, but still charge my hourly rate.

[Nick Sevilla]

Whilst mixing do you find Unattended sessions are a way to save you're clients money and your self time? Is it ever worth it to lower you're rate to work alone?

Thanks

Mostly, yes. But I charge the same whether attended or not.

I do like having the artist attend, at least at some point, as it helps to be listening through the same speakers in the same room, and is a quicker way to get on the same page, as far as what sounds like what, what terminology the artist likes to use when describing their musical ideas, etc.

But attending behind me while I mix, while distracting me? I just press the stop button until the interruptions stop. Usually after two or three times of stopping the flow, the artist gets the idea.

Cheers

[drumsound]

Whilst mixing do you find Unattended sessions are a way to save you're clients money and your self time? Is it ever worth it to lower you're rate to work alone?

Thanks

Mostly, yes. But I charge the same whether attended or not.

I do like having the artist attend, at least at some point, as it helps to be listening through the same speakers in the same room, and is a quicker way to get on the same page, as far as what sounds like what, what terminology the artist likes to use when describing their musical ideas, etc.

But attending behind me while I mix, while distracting me? I just press the stop button until the interruptions stop. Usually after two or three times of stopping the flow, the artist gets the idea.

Cheers

That's a funny of making a point.

I also like bringing in the artist at a late stage of the mix. I usually explain this to them, and tell them it allows me to work more efficiently. I get it really close, make a couple tweaks and finish.

[farview]

I do a lot of mixing projects from people on the other side of the world, so it isn't much of an issue. If I'm mixing a band that I've recorded, they will pay the hourly rate. This is actually cheaper since I generally have the mix at least 75% dialed in by the time I'm done tracking.

However, when I'm doing something for a local group, I will charge my normal mixing rates for unattended sessions and my hourly studio rate for attended sessions.

[joelpatterson]

The phrase "breathing down your neck" is a useful way to put all this in perspective.

[aaron mcdonald]

my dad was an auto-mechanic.. he used to say "$20 an hour, $30 if you watch, $40 if you help."

[Z-Plane]

my dad was an auto-mechanic.. he used to say "$20 an hour, $30 if you watch, $40 if you help."

+1

More like +10!

[Ryan Silva]

So I worked out a flat rate for this LP that I am mixing unattended. I send them a mix, and they must provide feedback within 48hrs. I got my first list of changes and it was two pages long! On one song!

Most of the changes are reasonable, but I am afraid that every mix will also have pages of changes. Then I make the changes, mix and send back, to most likely get another set of changes.

I think they are going to have to attend these mixes, this could get ridiculous.

I mean what do you do when they ask for the lead guitar to be more on the ceiling and less on the floor? I can take a guess as to what that means, but it's just a guess.

[chris harris]

When I work out a flat-rate mixing arrangement, I make it clear that this type of arrangement requires that they trust my judgement and that it's not the kind of situation that conducive to tinkering or endless tweaks.

Just tell them that if they have this many specific things that they want out of a mix, that unattended sessions won't work for their project. And, tell them that that kind of tweaking takes place in paid, HOURLY sessions.

[Jeff White]

Out of curiosity, and not to get too crazy and derail this thread, but what is mixing going for an hour these days, attended? I keep hearing that my rates are too low.

Jeff

[chris harris]

I recently published my rates on my website. The rates aren't exactly firm. It's intended to give clients a starting point for realistic budgeting.

[hank alrich]

I mean what do you do when they ask for the lead guitar to be more on the ceiling and less on the floor?

You tell 'em that if they wanted to hear it that way they should've played it that way. <g>

Next time have 'em put that amp up on a ladder.

[fossiltooth]

I mean what do you do when they ask for the lead guitar to be more on the ceiling and less on the floor?

Cut 300Hz and below, Boost 2khz and above? Musicians will talk colorfully like that pretty often. I've found it's been more productive to try to imagine (or ask) what they mean. More fun, too.