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Has anyone hired an engineer to do the recording and mixing on their projects? If so, how much is the going rates. I could imagine the tweeking he or she would probably go through since they're working in a foreign environment. Is this something some of us are considering or have done so far? Is this becoming part of the norm? Anyone have any opinions or feedback? :confused:

Comments

UncleBob58 Fri, 08/15/2003 - 13:33

What kind of sessions are they specifically?

I work as a hired gun. I usually get $50.00 an hour, do block rates that are paid in advance like 12 hours for $500.00 (if you are a regular or I like you). These are, for the most part, in project studios. Some of them I have put together myself, others I have tweaked out the final details.

I get paid less at the commercial studios but they throw a fair amount of work my way, and I am beginning to build my own clientelle.

As a mercenary going into different environments is always a crap shoot. I bring a few CDs that I know well and listen to the room, bring my mic box and a small rack of mic pre's. I bring my plug-in disks and my iLok. Since most of my work is in Pro Tools or Digital Performer just getting a feel for the sound of the room and comfortable with my clients is about the extent of the problems. With ADAT or analog rooms I find all kinds of problems and spend the first hour or two trouble shooting, chasing noise, hum and routing problems.

I also bring some stuff home to do cleanup and editing.

It's actually pretty boring. Many of these wanna be's are pretty bad. There are a few diamonds in the cesspool, but they are few and far between. I guess I'm just a pair of ears searching for honest talent.

Peace,

Uncle Bob

:p:

Guest Fri, 08/15/2003 - 14:47

Im working for one of *those* bands right now....daddy has put up the cash...some really nice cash!!! :) (who said I wasnt a whore?) :)

oops I forgot to mention....recently I have hired an engineer im quite familiar with to do the tracking/mixing so that I can focus more on the production. Seems to work alot better for me sometimes (extra set of ears) He usualy charges $500-$750/day (worth every penny imho, he knows what im looking for everytime). I'll give him an example and 10 minutes later he has the sound down perfectly.