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In Reply to: I'm Thinking of a career in Mixing or Mastering Engineer... posted by Steve71 on August 19, 2004 at 13:48:57:
Steve, The outlook is one of chance. Either you can purchase the goods to build a facility worthy of professional work and learn to use it all or you come on board with an exsisting studio (Duh...that is a no brainer)Seems these days, anyone with Protools and a few plug-ins and a good set of monitors/mics/mic pres, is now an "engineer". It is not that easy. When I taught professionally in the early 90's at a college for the recording arts, the students that did great with the books were all thumbs behind the desk and visa versa. Competition is heavy these days. In 1976, their were fewer than 600 facilities in the USA. It is estimated now that their are over 1 million places that you can come in, record something and leave with product to play and they are in business to do this. In my little town of less than 100K, I know at least 400 facilities so go figure. These days, it is not quality, it is price. Folks are out there charging less than 10 dollars an hour...and this is no way to make a living. Just last week, I offered my rate sheet up to a client that said they could get the job done for 1/30th of what I charge. I told them to go for it...due to the fact...they are going to pay twice if they want it done "right".
If I had not been in this so long and built up a regular studio base that uses me exclusively, I would not be in it at all. Even amongst the regulars, I still get a few clients that can't afford me and turn elsewhere due to price constraints.
It takes years and years of experience to even get close when it comes to mixing OR mastering and this industry still deems one indivigual should not do both...because the essence of mastering is that "other set of unbiased ears" in a "familar room" that "specializes" in mastering.
FWIW, do as you feel you can. You have a road of misery to deal with but if you don't mind all the expendature and time to be what it takes to compete, then go for it. You better have a second income or a great credit line though.
As far as working in other facilities, they ALL are of internship initially. You basically donate your time to scrub toilets or go get the meals. You becaome the "free servant" to the studio and do a lot of labeling and cleaning. Some studios won't even let interns in the "B" room until they have been a loyal servent for a few months. It is boot camp...and depending on how you conform to the studio depends on how long you pay out of pocket to provide them a service.After decades, their are only 41 facilities I can go to and have free reign of if I need to use their facility...and they get a huge cut...even if I bring in the talent. Sometimes one has to travel because of facilitation of the artist needs...but that is becoming something now...unneeded...due to file transfer and the internet. Agencies and Schools for the recording arts do not gurantee a position in a facility. As a matter of fact, this is why interns like to give it up...because many studios would rather have a greenhorn to mould rather than someone with a piece of paper. Formal education can land you a job in broadcast...but studios usually could care less of what school you gave 40K to for that piece of paper. All studios are different.
Well, got to go..
.
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- Re: I'm Thinking of a career in Mixing or Mastering Engineer... - RBP 18:19:26 08/19/04 (1)
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