You wouldn't be happy at an entry level position. This denotes cleaning bathrooms/setting up stage mics and moving them at the engineer's command/driving to the nearest dunkin donuts because if you aren't the engineer then you aren't anybody. You are much better off biting the bullet and starting your own studio/record label. If you've got the skills then it's not too far of a stretch, then you've just got to learn the gear. Do you have any mixes that we can hear?

IMO working under an engineer doesn't help you record either. I used to and I didn't know jack about jack until I began pressing the button myself. You won't know until you get out there and start to do it. Try to see if you have any friends that you can record as a test run to get your feet wet. After that then see if there are small local bands that you can record a demo for free or at a low price until you start to make a name for yourself and get a stable clientele base, then raise your prices to offset the startup cost.

Starting a studio without having actually done the job is a daunting task. Working under an engineer who is also going to mentor you rather treat you solely as an intern lackey will be the key. When you go full time professional with your own business you have to be ready for prime time and not dicking around learning stuff on the fly.

TheJackAttack wrote: Starting a studio without having actually done the job is a daunting task. Working under an engineer who is also going to mentor you rather treat you solely as an intern lackey will be the key. When you go full time professional with your own business you have to be ready for prime time and not dicking around learning stuff on the fly.

+1

I have been a victim of exactly what Jack talks about - nothing worse than tech issues bogging down a session.
Unfortunately, there's hardly such a thing as an "intern" around where I am anymore, so I did what I could, with a little help from my friends.

It's been a ride, and a constant struggle to make sure I was "ready for prime time" w/ each new session I landed (and challenge I encountered).
Of course, I still carry a fair amount of debt from this venture (bad idea), and while things have been good lately, I'm quickly finding this is often a business of feast or famine.
Because of that debt (and a lack of fulfilling options as I grow older), I'm committed to the cause, for better or for worse.

Lessons learned, yes - but I repeat one of Jack's phrases one more time - "daunting task". Going it on your own ain't easy bro, and you better have a deep pocket and a deeper will.

My .02

while interning years ago i was somebodies bitch & donut boy... Then I was the cable bitch and actually got to be in the studio, i was paid in 'patching cables' ... Then I got to actually do some sessions ... then I started my own little biz.

3 things you need getting into this biz. 1. patience 2. industry client experience, not just technical. 3. Clients... nothing worst then starting a full-time biz with huge overhead and no cash flow.

If you mainly make electronic tunes, spread your wings in varies directions,.. keep going with getting on bearport labels (I assume you are), make beats for video games (that's a hot market, and you still get to make looped beats all day). start mixing other artists tunes, practice and charge what you think you're worth.. and grow from there.

Same boat

I'm in the same boat...but probably a little further down the road in terms of the amount of time spent.

I've stayed at home with my work. Quit playing gigs entirely. Here are some quick thoughts.

1. Don't try to write hits. Write music that pleases you. I heard Stevie Nicks or somebody of that stature talk about it once. That's when her music actually came to life.

2. Try to write on a schedule...not just when you're in the mood. Something like...a song a day...even if it sucks. Keep a highly-organized log (with backups) of everything. Within your DAW, give every single track a specific name...even though it seems like a waste at the time. When you're looking for the magic track that you've lost, it can be very frustrating.

3. Find an excellent musician to team with. Kind of like McCartney & Lennon. Help, criticize, change, etc.

4. Make a YouTube website and put videos (even simple slide shows) with your better songs. Give them names that will attract people. Form a band website with an mp3 company online that sells mp3s and link this to your YouTube site. Actually, have 2 or 3 mp3 sites that use different types of payment methods. Paypal is a popular and friendly way to pay now. iTunes is really hard to get on now. BandBox has served me pretty well.

5. Make a Facebook & MySpace websites and connect to every friend & relative that you can find. Provide them with links to all of your sites and ask them 'nicely' to spread the links.

6. Pay to copyright any song that is meaningful to you. Use the US Copyright online with electronic transfer of your mp3s.

7. DO NOT get stuck in the 'I gotta have new gear every month' routine. It'll kill you financially. It's big trouble. Find equipment that you like, get used to it, and make music. Don't get hung up with learning to use new tech more than writing music.

8. Keep the computer (or whatever you record with) on 24/7. When you think of a melody, a beat, or a riff...record it immediately.

9. Try to find a part-time job that isn't demanding...with flexibility. Anything to keep a little bit of cash-flow to eat on. 20 hours a week won't destroy your music career. Something that you don't need to be awake to do. Custodian, etc. Writing music, as you know, can be a low-sleep lifestyle.

10. And finally, don't listen to other music much. Live in 'your' musical world most of the time. When you need inspiration...go to a concert or a club to hear a great band. See real musicians doing their thing 'live.' Recordings can be extremely deceptive and sterile.

Be yourself. Relax. Write. Don't flip out if nothing happens. Enjoy writing music. Enjoy it my friend. Write good music lots...and market it some. Emphasis on writing.

And oh...avoid the scams online to make a CD. Never pay to have your music looked at....EVER.