When is \"When\" - Time spent mixing

For a perfectionist (such as myself) there is not enough time in the world to mix in. I think you were onto something when you mentioned "good enough to have at least my name on it". That, i think, is key. The more you mix, the more familiar you become with your setup, the quicker you can make quality decisions (and be satisfied the first time!). With that said, I would never tell a client there is nothing else I can do. If they come in and pay for an 8 hour demo session, they will leave with a demo sounding like it was done in 8 hours. They know to expect this when they first walk in the door. An 8 hour demo though, may take me 10. Like I said previously if my name is going on it, I want to be proud of it. I think that is the bottom line for me.

Agreed, and I will not put junk out, at least in my mind. The problem is that bands think that they can do a 4 song DEMO, EP, whatever ya want to call it in 8 hours. Mixed, mastered etc..... and be CHEAP about it. The fact is, recording is not cheap and to get a top notch project it will cost money. Guess time and more time will help, along with finances to get a product that is RADIO/INDUSTRY ready? I don't know. Just thoughts to get out. - Doc

I like the Sting quote: "You never finish a record, you abandon it".

Hello Doc, This is how I see it; By the time you've done all your tracking you will have a rough idea how long the tune will take to mix it. Let them know. A bit of your own extra time is OK, if the mix can be improved. Now..make it clear to them, that is it ! If they are willing to experiment charge for it. Give them all versions ( after the bill is paid, of course.. ) The producer should decide "when" it's done. If you are producing ( $$$ ), it should be your call. Give figures before the mixing starts ! Does that make any sense ..? cheers,

Doc: for a band like the one you are mentioning, honestly if you are going on an hourly rate, you have to stick to your guns man. The best thing that you can do is tell the band that you are recording straight up when you first meet or talk with them to prepare so much time for tracking, mixing..etc.. and see what level they want to take their tunes to. In the same breath you don't want to scare them off caus you want clients for your studio and you gotta pay off your gear. If a band comes in and thinks they can do a record in an 8 hour day, I would say that they are sadly mistaken for starters... they would be pushing it very much if they were finely tuned/well rehearsed and could do everything live and you could give them a "rough" mix to take with them at the end of the day that might be demo quality, but they would nowhere have major label radio quality in that amount of time. They would also have to come in with click tracks set, new strings, heads..etc. and play straight through to do something like that though to get the best of their time with you. Believe me, I have done 8 hour days and they suck caus there is so much potential some times but just not enough time. Be honest with them though, and say something like "you guys did a great job in the studio today tracking, when would you like to schedule to come back and mix on your songs?" which might get you some further business booked, or they might say "Hey Doc, we love the sound of our tracks the way you did them" and take their disc and go publish it. Either way, I would say have something that you are confortable with leaving your studio in their hands. One guy I know that thinks he needs more mixing on stuff after bands are finished will say something like "great session guys, I can have the disc burnt by the end of the week if you would like to drop by and pick up a copy" and will really do some extra mixing and tweaking on their stuff in the mean time before the disc is even burned to give them the best quality. His rates also reflect this, but are packaged as tracking/demo sessions. He allows the extra rates in the package though to fund his mixing time and the band gets an amazing sounding demo and he gets more business by word of mouth because folks think he is that good. Just a sneaky way to get more time IMO...

When is "when"? "When" is when the mix is done/finished/spot on and everybody's happy with it. "When" is when the time they paid for is up. "When" is when the client realizes they suck and give up hope. "When" is when the deadline catches up with you. "When" is when everybody's tired of toiling with it and throws in the towel. "When" is when the client runs out of money. "When" is when the band splits up (usually over rights and credits...or girls). "When" is when your studio is struck by lightening and it all goes up in smoke (and client or owner cuts their losses). "When" is when the client is sentenced to a 30 year term with no chance of parole. "When" is when the client is shot by police after a 20 mile car chase. "When" is when the client has one concussion too many in his NCAA championship football game. "When" is when the studio is burgled and all is lost (and everyone cuts their losses). I'm not saying these are everybody's "when's", but these are a few that I've met in my experience. -Chris

Love ya Chris.... Always the guy o chime in.. "Doogie RULES!" not O'Doyle, but DOOGIE! - Doc