Never do anything "free," if you want respect for your time and talent.

Trade for some talent they have.

I know you are right, I recorded one guy for free and he would come unprepared, could not play his own song etc... Yeah I kind of forgot about it. So do you think I should start advertising for a small rate around $15/hr. What do you think of my setup?

I've recorded tons of stuff for free and still do, I also do a lot of gigs that pay - but the pay was very minimal in the beginning, kinda like an internship but without the coffee and toilet paper. That's how it is when you're by yourself starting from scratch.

I've done a hell of a lot of shows in dirty, backwater bars and nightclubs, for the free beer and gas money - and occasionally I can be found in some of those same places, pushing faders for beer...

So, what is the best way to start? What should I say in my ad?

Some new pictures, what do you think about the look of the studio?

Carpet Diem!

Cool rooms. Nice and clean.

Are you tall or do you mix standing up?

Sorry for being so unconstructive.

Do you go to a lot of local shows? I've been able to drum up business by talking to bands after their sets...espeically opening acts. They will probably be selling CDs of their stuff which they've probably recorded (badly) in their home or warehouse. Offer them your services an experience and give them a good product and word should spread.

Table was built high, so my chair is high too + HS80m sit on angled auralex mopads.

My only criticism(s) of the pics would be -

Are those carpeted walls?? Or speckle paint?

Also, the monitors are so high and way too far off of center. They're essentially acting as headphones at this point.

Can you rearrange, or are you stuck with this??

Walls are carpeted, at the corners diy bass traps, I guess I can make stands shorter(made them myself too). How close should I set them? The closest they can be is right next to lcd monitors stand. By the way control room traps are diy too... and table... 8-)

I took stands off seems to sound better, more highs definitely

I read somewhere (acoustics site, may have been Ethan Winer's) that you're supposed to have the tweeters at ear level anyway.

Oh, Perfect! That is where they are right now 8-) And mixes really sound different. It feels like I walked closer to the mix... hope it makes sense, just able to hear more details hmm... 8-)

Take to heart what Pr0gr4m said above.
That's exactly what I'm talking about - if you're good, word will spread.

There's nothing wrong with doing your first gig or 5 for free, you're just starting out. Treat it as a hobby (I still do), and put smiles on peoples faces - that, ultimately, is what this industry is all about.

The money will come, you'll know when the pendulum swings over to that side - do some gigs to build up your chops and your repertoire first.

I know you can!

(I did)

8-)

And while you're at it, shrink your pictures by a feww hundred pixels!

:wink:

"Ideal" monitor placement is when your head (and ears) are sitting at 38% of the distance from either the front wall (or the back wall) and have the center of your monitors on a 30 degree angle to each side of your head... preferably with a slight downward angle to minimize the reflection of sound off of the rear wall.

The space between your monitors will be determined by your distance (38% front to back) and the 30 degree angle towards your listening position.

Just be aware of early reflections off of your desk can (and do) occur.

8-) thank you.

I e-mail a couple of band on myspace. That did not have very good demos. Got response from one. Will see how we can negotiate everything 8-) I told him 3 songs $150 or 15/hr.

After moving monitors to the right place.... Can't believe how much detail I can hear in songs.... Even my wife noticed... thank you 8-)

Offer free time and then charge them for it? Now it sounds like a contractor:)