Why do people call you to record their product?
- Jay Reynolds
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Why do people call you to record their product?
I haven't seen this one yet and I'm curious.
Also: "Vibe" to me is as much about demeanor as it is about anything else. Its what your particular personality brings to the equation.
Also: "Vibe" to me is as much about demeanor as it is about anything else. Its what your particular personality brings to the equation.
Last edited by Jay Reynolds on Wed May 21, 2008 7:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
Prog out with your cog out.
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- fossiltooth
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+1dynomike wrote:I'm sure with everyone it would have to be a compromise between those things.
End of thread if you ask me!
Last edited by fossiltooth on Wed May 21, 2008 7:25 am, edited 2 times in total.
- Jay Reynolds
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Sure, and I considered creating more responces. But, I decided to keep it simple. So, even if you feel like its a combination, surely there is one leading factor that you think is bringing in clients. Or there is one consistant comment you get from your clients about why they come to you.
Prog out with your cog out.
- Jay Reynolds
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- fossiltooth
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It's hard to say. They're all so crucial. I guess we could debate order of importance. My first instinct is to say:
1) Engineering
2) Vibe
3) Gear
I think that Engineering is what brings strangers in, and Vibe is what makes them come back for more and tell their friends about you. I realize that I left price off the list entirely. I feel that price is not a single factor, as much as it is a context for the other factors. You could also make a valid argument for switching the order between "Engineering" and "Vibe" on that list.
Of course, if you're marketing a studio to outside engineers things change:
1) Vibe
2) Gear
When I was beginning to take sessions to outside studios, I reversed this. I like to think I'm smarter now. Then again, you could say that gear is actually part of the "vibe" equation...
Price is a factor that I feel can not be listed in "order of importance". It's almost an afterthought for me... but at the same time, it rules every choice we make... at least in part. It can be a deciding factor as to whether or not a session can go down at a certain studio. Price is something set that's according to what the market will bear, but it is also based entirely on the relative strengths of the other 3 factors in the list.
I don't think this question can be answered cleanly. There's no "one key factor" for me, and there's no way to make a definitive "list". If you're not getting enough business, you might need to take a look at your price... or your gear... or your vibe.... or your engineering. Each case is different.
Here's the closest I can muster for a clean answer: Vibe. Why? Because you can easily make an argument as to how "Vibe" is really just a combination of all of the other elements on the list, and all the elements you left off the list.
1) Engineering
2) Vibe
3) Gear
I think that Engineering is what brings strangers in, and Vibe is what makes them come back for more and tell their friends about you. I realize that I left price off the list entirely. I feel that price is not a single factor, as much as it is a context for the other factors. You could also make a valid argument for switching the order between "Engineering" and "Vibe" on that list.
Of course, if you're marketing a studio to outside engineers things change:
1) Vibe
2) Gear
When I was beginning to take sessions to outside studios, I reversed this. I like to think I'm smarter now. Then again, you could say that gear is actually part of the "vibe" equation...
Price is a factor that I feel can not be listed in "order of importance". It's almost an afterthought for me... but at the same time, it rules every choice we make... at least in part. It can be a deciding factor as to whether or not a session can go down at a certain studio. Price is something set that's according to what the market will bear, but it is also based entirely on the relative strengths of the other 3 factors in the list.
I don't think this question can be answered cleanly. There's no "one key factor" for me, and there's no way to make a definitive "list". If you're not getting enough business, you might need to take a look at your price... or your gear... or your vibe.... or your engineering. Each case is different.
Here's the closest I can muster for a clean answer: Vibe. Why? Because you can easily make an argument as to how "Vibe" is really just a combination of all of the other elements on the list, and all the elements you left off the list.
Last edited by fossiltooth on Wed May 21, 2008 8:40 am, edited 5 times in total.
- Jay Reynolds
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After reading a couple posts, I edited the top of the thread to make it cleare what I was going for as far as "vibe".
I see it more as your personal X-factor. To use a singer as an example, take Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays/Black Grape). Can't really sing. Can't really rap. But, despite his lack of tecnique, there sure is some kinda vibe going on there.
I see it more as your personal X-factor. To use a singer as an example, take Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays/Black Grape). Can't really sing. Can't really rap. But, despite his lack of tecnique, there sure is some kinda vibe going on there.
Prog out with your cog out.
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i'd say vibe.
cos if someone has to choose between two equally qualified engineers but one is a pleasant person and the other one is a douchebag...well, the douchebag won't get the call.
gear and price are pretty well secondary considerations.
cos if someone has to choose between two equally qualified engineers but one is a pleasant person and the other one is a douchebag...well, the douchebag won't get the call.
gear and price are pretty well secondary considerations.
?What need is there to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears.? -- Seneca
yes, but that's all based on the assumption that you know the engineer fairly well to begin with.RefD wrote:i'd say vibe.
cos if someone has to choose between two equally qualified engineers but one is a pleasant person and the other one is a douchebag...well, the douchebag won't get the call.
gear and price are pretty well secondary considerations.
plus, if both engineers are friendly, respectful, and creative folks who have equipment you approve of, but one charges $75 an hour and the other charges $45 an hour you'd pick the one that you liked slightly better?
i don't think there's any right or wrong answer, just playing devil's advocate.
lyman wrote:yes, but that's all based on the assumption that you know the engineer fairly well to begin with.RefD wrote:i'd say vibe.
cos if someone has to choose between two equally qualified engineers but one is a pleasant person and the other one is a douchebag...well, the douchebag won't get the call.
gear and price are pretty well secondary considerations.
plus, if both engineers are friendly, respectful, and creative folks who have equipment you approve of, but one charges $75 an hour and the other charges $45 an hour you'd pick the one that you liked slightly better?
i don't think there's any right or wrong answer, just playing devil's advocate.
get thee behind me!
?What need is there to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears.? -- Seneca
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- steve albini likes it
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I find the gear one to be the last one on the list for me anyway. When I talk to clients they generally like the sound of another project I did and want to work with me. Price is a consideration because as we all know budget is a real thing and most independent musicians do not have endless funds. But they want the best record they can get for the money they have.
I do not think I have ever been booked to record something because of gear. I have been booked to mix things because of gear. The right tape machine, DAW etc.. But most musicians I know do not care about gear. They care about their music being captured and their vision realized. The musicians I know that care about the gear are generally recording themselves. So it works out.
Just my thoughts,
Mike
I do not think I have ever been booked to record something because of gear. I have been booked to mix things because of gear. The right tape machine, DAW etc.. But most musicians I know do not care about gear. They care about their music being captured and their vision realized. The musicians I know that care about the gear are generally recording themselves. So it works out.
Just my thoughts,
Mike
Because I kick ass, got good experience in a top notch professional facility as a teenager, and come well recommended by every past client.
Sometimes I wonder. has to be some reason I don't know any other 19 year old college students doing this for a living, but I wouldn't pin down why people choose to work with me to one of those four categories.
Sometimes I wonder. has to be some reason I don't know any other 19 year old college students doing this for a living, but I wouldn't pin down why people choose to work with me to one of those four categories.
Real friends stab you in the front.
Oscar Wilde
Failed audio engineer & pro studio tech turned Component level motherboard repair store in New York
Oscar Wilde
Failed audio engineer & pro studio tech turned Component level motherboard repair store in New York
I'm in love with your avatar.RefD wrote:lyman wrote:yes, but that's all based on the assumption that you know the engineer fairly well to begin with.RefD wrote:i'd say vibe.
cos if someone has to choose between two equally qualified engineers but one is a pleasant person and the other one is a douchebag...well, the douchebag won't get the call.
gear and price are pretty well secondary considerations.
plus, if both engineers are friendly, respectful, and creative folks who have equipment you approve of, but one charges $75 an hour and the other charges $45 an hour you'd pick the one that you liked slightly better?
i don't think there's any right or wrong answer, just playing devil's advocate.
get thee behind me!
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