Local Studio vs. The Local rapper

[midiot]

So you get a call from a person who wants to come in and record some songs, rap songs to be specific.

What approach do some of you use?

Let's assume they write their own music, bring it in on their MPC OR bring in data tracks and merge into the studio DAW, this would be the prefered approach I would think. Then all you have to do is record vocals, maybe some other things here and there and ta-dah.

Now, say all they do is rap. They have no clue where to get any sequences from, let alone sequence themselves. "Sequence, what do you mean?" Nor do they have a backing band. They just want to come in and lay down their vocals.

BUT! You can help them in their quest for music, be it as live musicians, or sequencing. What in the world do you charge the local rapper trying to make an EP, or LP for music production? Blend the time spent in producing the music into the hourly tracking rate? Or write some music, have them pick which they like, sell it for a flat fee, and basically sign over all rights of it TO them? Again, local rapper.

[brado32]

Send the rapper to a good producer first.. have the producer creats "beats" then have them come back to record vocals and what not.. Unless you are into the beat creation yourself, its better to throw it over to someone that does that kinda thing..

-Brad

[trodden]

Send the rapper to a good producer first.. have the producer creats "beats" then have them come back to record vocals and what not.. Unless you are into the beat creation yourself, its better to throw it over to someone that does that kinda thing..

-Brad

And if your are an engineer that does that kind of thing, of course you'll charge your hourly while making their beats.
The one studio i've worked in that also had some rap artists come in, they were all very prepared and all the engineer had to do was patch devices in gear and offer his perspective on a producing angle. Whenever the place would get a call like the one above, we'd make sure that everyone understood that if you wanted the studio to make your beats, it was going to add up cost wise.

[goldenechos]

BUT! You can help them in their quest for music, be it as live musicians, or sequencing. What in the world do you charge the local rapper trying to make an EP, or LP for music production? Blend the time spent in producing the music into the hourly tracking rate? Or write some music, have them pick which they like, sell it for a flat fee, and basically sign over all rights of it TO them? Again, local rapper.

Here in Brooklyn I hear a good deal rap cuts on the radio that feature locals rhyming over the flavor o' the month. For example the instrumental mix/ B-side from the newest NASsingle. Sometimes the backing track is spiced up with DJ wizardry (scrathing, filtering, echoes). Keep in mind this is Brooklyn radio I am talking about.

tony echos

[josh hates you]

i have a good friend who records hip hop and is also a producer and and mc himself.

primarily he produces all his own beats from samples and live production(he plays keyboard, guitar, drums, bass etc.) but he also has a lot of friends in the hip hop community, some who produce beats for him to ryme over and vice versa. some of his friends make beats to sell to these kinds of artists. they range from $25 to $300 for the exclusive rights to use the original material.

unless he is collaborating with the artist he is recording they usually have their shit prepared and all he has to do is make the vocals sound nice. (creative use of backing vocals (done well) is harder than most think in hip hop)

[Brett Siler]

Each time I recording Hip Hop projects it has been different. I have had a guy come in with beats already made on a CD and just imported it into Pro Tools and layed vocals down over it. Pretty easy. I charge by the song and I just charged him half of my usual cost because we just did vocals.

I have also recorded a hip hop project with instruments and we put the whole think together in the studio. Drum machine, then keyboard parts, then vocals and that took as long as recording a rock band or something like that. That was free though because I was involved in the band..

[EasyGo]

Send the rapper to a good producer first.. have the producer creats "beats" then have them come back to record vocals and what not.. Unless you are into the beat creation yourself, its better to throw it over to someone that does that kinda thing..

-Brad

Good advice. There are so many sub genres of rap/hip hop, that you need tracks that appeal to the style the MC is trying to put across. Is it pop rap? Crunk/dirty south? 'Backpacker' stuff? Fans of rap/hip hop are fickle and like what they like.

[fuckface]

trodden,

your avatar makes want to throw up

[trodden]

trodden,

your avatar makes want to throw up

excellent.

[midiot]

Send the rapper to a good producer first.. have the producer creats "beats" then have them come back to record vocals and what not.. Unless you are into the beat creation yourself, its better to throw it over to someone that does that kinda thing..

-Brad

Good advice. There are so many sub genres of rap/hip hop, that you need tracks that appeal to the style the MC is trying to put across. Is it pop rap? Crunk/dirty south? 'Backpacker' stuff? Fans of rap/hip hop are fickle and like what they like.

I agree this is probably a good way to go as well. Inquire if they have a producer of the beats in mind if they don't produce them.

I guess it would be wise for me to get better acquainted with beat producers in the Detroit area. I know one, but he is busy with his debut national release now, so I can cross him off the list.

[midiot]

trodden,

your avatar makes want to throw up

agreed

[dynomike]

trodden,

your avatar makes want to throw up

agreed

At first I found it enthralling and couldn't stop watching it. Then I realized I really couldn't stop watching it, and couldn't read text while it was on the screen! So I had to quickly scroll down. Damn those animated gifs.

[wedge]

trodden... for the love of god, please change your avatar!

[fuckface]

trodden,

your avatar makes want to throw up

agreed

At first I found it enthralling and couldn't stop watching it. Then I realized I really couldn't stop watching it, and couldn't read text while it was on the screen! So I had to quickly scroll down. Damn those animated gifs.

i know everytime im looking at a thread as soon as i see it i scroll down so i dont have to look at it...

yukky

[trodden]

trodden... for the love of god, please change your avatar!

which god? goddess?
You're just jealous.