I have been running a recording studio for over 40 years and I have worked with some amazingly talented bands and artists over the years. You have a pre-production meeting to iron everything out and you’re excited to work with the band, the band seem motivated, the songs are great and it looks like a good project to hang your hat on. During the first few days in the studio everything is moving along nicely, the band is quite productive and things sounds great. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, the band members start to second-guess everything you do, nothing seems good enough, they are constantly arguing with you, having band meets outside to come back to complain about something and suddenly you dreading going to work. The indications didn’t present themselves during the per-production meetings but later on during the recording session they would question things like: why are you only using 8 microphones on the drums, Don Henley demands 16, why are you using a AKG 414 on the vocals, George Martin always uses a Neumann U87 mike, why can’t you get a Neve console for the recording session Butch Vig hates SSL, why can’t we have 15 microphones spaced out in the room on the guitar amp like Slash and so on. It is very destructive in the recording process and eventually grinds everything to a haul. The band eventually determines that they are wasting their precious time and you get stuck with the recordings and no money. To legally get any money requires expensive legal action which is extremely expensive and I usually resort to erasing the recordings and moving on. How have you dealt with bands and artists like that? How can you tell that the band is going to flip like that?
Very good content. Another thing we as creatives tend to forget is to keep the books in order and learn some basic economics. You can obviously hire someone to do it for you and if the business grows that is a good idea. But in the beginning it is very useful to learn the basics and do it yourself just to actually know some of it. It can come in handy and also lessen the risk of getting scammed down the line.
Thanks for making great video’s. I love your channel. Any chance you could do a video on how to get drums to sound good for recording? I play guitar and record but I don’t know how to tune a drum. It’s a skill I want to learn because I don’t want to rely on the drummer to be able to do it.
What is the financial reality of starting out as an audio engineer? I understand there's no money to be made for a while, but how many do you know stay in perpetual debt? I never started because whenever I did the math, I couldn't feasibly come out in the green, at least for a few years, even assuming I did everything right. Even when you factor in those green years, do they outweigh the red? How do you factor in black swans, like what we've been through these last few years?
Reality is this is a complicated question. I will say opening any business involves taking a loss at first. I think perspective is very important. In your view, you don’t see people making money. In my view all I see are friends making livings at this. Neither is wrong but neither effects your own outcome. Ultimately it’s hard to answer your question with so many of your own details not included. (Not trying to be a douche… just saying.) I think this is a good discussion though. If you want to lay it out let me know. Either here or reach out of the website.
@@RecordingStudioLoser Please do! There are some things I touch on you didn't, and you touched on some stuff I didn't. Won't spam your comments with URLs, but it's called "Running a Recording Session", and it's my latest. Love to know your thoughts!
All good info. Wish someone had told me those things 20 years ago haha! Could have lessened the pain of learning those lessons through totally messing up 😂
Drummer here, I would love to get in with a studio some day to help on projects. When I eventually get all the audio recording gear in my home studio set up I'll be "available!"
Awesome content! I can't believe I just now stumbled on your channel! Although I do not own a studio, and would love to some day, is there any chance you can talk about ear fatigue in this channel? I was in a music school 6 years ago, and I might (not clinically proven yet) have developed tinnitus due to school projects after projects.
great video, also i think its super funny that you are wearing a windbreaker tho... like... studio guy wearing extremely loud jacket lol i mean hey... you do you bro hahaha keep cranking away ive seen other videos, well done man! you know what you are doing :)
I know I know. The jacket was a bad idea. I got to the studio sat down and just started filming. Didn’t think about it. As I was editing I hated myself though. lol.
This is all great info. I'm wondering if and how you charge for the setup before recording day? For example you're setting up drum mics, checking phase, trying different mics/amps/cabs etc. Is that on you or does the artist get charged? Thanks
@@RecordingStudioLoser I see, it's baked into the deal but not charged hourly. Makes sense for both parties. Agree 100% on proper setup before recording.
Good info but you should also check your sound so that next time you leave polyester-noisemaker-jacket out. Sorry I am so annoyed by that noise, can't even listen to the end.
I have been running a recording studio for over 40 years and I have worked with some amazingly talented bands and artists over the years. You have a pre-production meeting to iron everything out and you’re excited to work with the band, the band seem motivated, the songs are great and it looks like a good project to hang your hat on. During the first few days in the studio everything is moving along nicely, the band is quite productive and things sounds great. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, the band members start to second-guess everything you do, nothing seems good enough, they are constantly arguing with you, having band meets outside to come back to complain about something and suddenly you dreading going to work. The indications didn’t present themselves during the per-production meetings but later on during the recording session they would question things like: why are you only using 8 microphones on the drums, Don Henley demands 16, why are you using a AKG 414 on the vocals, George Martin always uses a Neumann U87 mike, why can’t you get a Neve console for the recording session Butch Vig hates SSL, why can’t we have 15 microphones spaced out in the room on the guitar amp like Slash and so on. It is very destructive in the recording process and eventually grinds everything to a haul. The band eventually determines that they are wasting their precious time and you get stuck with the recordings and no money. To legally get any money requires expensive legal action which is extremely expensive and I usually resort to erasing the recordings and moving on. How have you dealt with bands and artists like that? How can you tell that the band is going to flip like that?
I’d like to know too
I would also like to know@@BlakeWashington_
I'm gonna bookmark this one and come back to it a few times, I think.
Soooo much great information in here , thanks !
Outstanding. Keep it going!
Very nice of you to make this video. Some people act like there is a limit on how much work is out there
Very good content. Another thing we as creatives tend to forget is to keep the books in order and learn some basic economics. You can obviously hire someone to do it for you and if the business grows that is a good idea. But in the beginning it is very useful to learn the basics and do it yourself just to actually know some of it. It can come in handy and also lessen the risk of getting scammed down the line.
Thank you very much for the video!
Could you express better what are the best ways to release a record? Maybe you could make a video on it?
Great piece. I always get a lot out of your commentary and appreciate your transparency with the process. Peace from Panther City
🙌
Thanks for making great video’s. I love your channel. Any chance you could do a video on how to get drums to sound good for recording? I play guitar and record but I don’t know how to tune a drum. It’s a skill I want to learn because I don’t want to rely on the drummer to be able to do it.
What is the financial reality of starting out as an audio engineer? I understand there's no money to be made for a while, but how many do you know stay in perpetual debt? I never started because whenever I did the math, I couldn't feasibly come out in the green, at least for a few years, even assuming I did everything right. Even when you factor in those green years, do they outweigh the red? How do you factor in black swans, like what we've been through these last few years?
Reality is this is a complicated question. I will say opening any business involves taking a loss at first. I think perspective is very important. In your view, you don’t see people making money. In my view all I see are friends making livings at this. Neither is wrong but neither effects your own outcome.
Ultimately it’s hard to answer your question with so many of your own details not included. (Not trying to be a douche… just saying.) I think this is a good discussion though. If you want to lay it out let me know. Either here or reach out of the website.
Hey Jeremy! Take it off!!!!!😉 The scratchy wind breaker only....please... The sound is killing me!
Yeah… I noticed that a hit too late. Lol. No more jacket
Great video Jeremy! I did one a lot like this a couple of weeks ago. Keep going my friend!
I need to check it out!
@@RecordingStudioLoser Please do! There are some things I touch on you didn't, and you touched on some stuff I didn't. Won't spam your comments with URLs, but it's called "Running a Recording Session", and it's my latest. Love to know your thoughts!
All good info. Wish someone had told me those things 20 years ago haha! Could have lessened the pain of learning those lessons through totally messing up 😂
Drummer here, I would love to get in with a studio some day to help on projects. When I eventually get all the audio recording gear in my home studio set up I'll be "available!"
Could you change the name of the channel to recording studio cool guy?
Going from self deprecation to self aggrandizing seems pretentious. Lol
@@RecordingStudioLoser it’s a compliment
I know. I’m trying to be funny. #fail
It's got my vote!
Awesome content! I can't believe I just now stumbled on your channel! Although I do not own a studio, and would love to some day, is there any chance you can talk about ear fatigue in this channel? I was in a music school 6 years ago, and I might (not clinically proven yet) have developed tinnitus due to school projects after projects.
That’s a great idea actually. I have tinnitus and so do a lot of engineers I know.
great video, also i think its super funny that you are wearing a windbreaker tho... like... studio guy wearing extremely loud jacket lol
i mean hey... you do you bro hahaha keep cranking away
ive seen other videos, well done man! you know what you are doing :)
also when you said "...thats silly" i felt that hahaha, i react to conspiracy theory people like that.. the kinda... like.. "ughhh here we go" lol
I know I know. The jacket was a bad idea. I got to the studio sat down and just started filming. Didn’t think about it. As I was editing I hated myself though. lol.
@@RecordingStudioLoser hahahah bro dont even
Killin it
This is all great info. I'm wondering if and how you charge for the setup before recording day? For example you're setting up drum mics, checking phase, trying different mics/amps/cabs etc. Is that on you or does the artist get charged?
Thanks
I consider it part of what I charge.
It’s not a line item the client sees. However it’s something included in my prices.
@@RecordingStudioLoser I see, it's baked into the deal but not charged hourly. Makes sense for both parties. Agree 100% on proper setup before recording.
thanks, I’m still stuck in the educational part…
Do you need state or county business license to run your own studio?
yes you have to maintain a license to operate a business its not much in the grand scheme of things.
Hey Jeremy, the brenden Macy link is not working.
It should be working now. Just in case
www.brendenmacy.com/shop
Where's the link to the contract, please?
www.brendenmacy.com/shop here ya go
@@RecordingStudioLoser Cheers bud. Keep up the good work.
As an engineer you had to know that jacket would be too loud 😂 ❤
…yeah hadn’t worn it since. This is also when I was putting the mic below me.
I was an idiot.
@@RecordingStudioLoser all love homie .don't talk down on your past self, it was a dope jacket
Good info but you should also check your sound so that next time you leave polyester-noisemaker-jacket out. Sorry I am so annoyed by that noise, can't even listen to the end.
Keep in mind….you’re considered a professional if you make a living from it.
True
Correct