#1661844 - 03/05/04 08:26 PM
What have they done to my art?
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sign
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 2216
Loc: NETHERLANDS
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You probably know the great articles by Walther Sear don't you?
I was thinking about them when I saw the advers in the march issue of 'Music Maker', a Dutch music magazine.
What about this: a studio in the north of the Netherlands, SSL board, Studer 2" analog and digital machines, Neumann mics, lots of gear, Tubetech pre's, rates 160 euro per day including the engineer.
Another studio in Utrecht, 80 m2 room, 24 track digital, rates 19 euro per hour including VAT, engineer and use of all backline.
A plumber in the Netherlands costs between between 32-50 euro per hour excluding VAT (BTW).
And he makes approx 40% profit on the materials he delivers.
I love my job!
_________________________
The alchemy of the masters moving molecules of air, we capture by moving particles of iron, so that the poetry of the ancients will echo into the future.
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#1661845 - 03/05/04 08:54 PM
Re: What have they done to my art?
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Philip O'Keefe
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Registered: 12/17/00
Posts: 17674
Loc: Riverside,CA,UNITED STATES
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Well, you know what they say - if you got into recording music for the money, then you've made a big mistake. 
It's pretty darn competitive out there. With so many home studios, a lot of mid level commercial studios have had to cut their rates back so far that it's amazing they're still in business. Actually, many such studios have gone under.
How to survive? Well, it's the same as it always has been - just with added pressure: IMO, you stay in the game by offering something that others don't offer, or of better quality than what others are offering. IMO, the one thing that I have to offer than no one else has is... me. That cound sound incredibly fatheaded, and I don't mean for it to... but my point is, the gear is just the gear, and it doesn't run itself. The one thing that makes the difference is the person behind the gear.
Offering products and services that people are not likely to have available at home is a good way to differentiate your studio from home studios. Few of those have a drum room... so offer your services to people who normally record at home, but need a drum room. Or offer your ears and experience for mixing.
But ideally, you want to offer yourself. If you're musical, easy to work with, savvy, and "good", then there's still going to be people who want / need what you have to offer... and you don't have to get into the undercutting price warz.
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#1661847 - 03/06/04 01:30 PM
Re: What have they done to my art?
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miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
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Registered: 05/23/00
Posts: 12335
Loc: NY Hudson Valley, USA
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OK…so where is this all going?
I mean…if things are getting so tight for the full-blown commercial studios…won't it be even tougher for the mid-range project studios?
I know there are a lot of us here that have “project” or “home” studios that are very well appointed and are used primarily for our own projects…not really needing (though it would be nice) a steady, weekly income from them.
But…there are also many of us that may be trying or thinking about going more main-stream…to open our doors for hire…for more steady outside work.
Well…is it really a good idea these days?
I see a lot of people building out their 2-car garages and their basements. If it's mostly for personal work…hey, that's great! But…are they taking a risk, if they think it is going to bring them a good, steady living?
Even if you have the space and the gear…how many could confidently and comfortably live off of a studio income these days?
Yeah…I know there are those folks that are already established…and some are making a decent living…but how much “room” is there in the market for more large, medium or even small for-hire, full time studios?
For those of us that have a nice project studio that we use mostly for our own work, and some outside projects…it may be quite difficult to go bigger/full-time, anymore…
…unless you happen to be in a really good area where the demand will take care of things for you.
The commercial studios have the big rooms and the very hot gear. The full-time “project studios” may also have very nice rooms and gear. But…from there…where will it go?
More and more people are getting into recording…thanks to the technology…so it gets harder and harder to really offer something unique that will draw full-time business.
I've been toying with the idea of “opening the doors” to a more “full-part-time” routine…and even though I am in an area that doesn't have studio-after-studio…
…I just don't think it would really provide THAT much of a steady income…???
Also…to really go for a steady income…you almost have to take-what-you-can-get in the way of sessions/clients…which can really be a PITA!
I was at a point recently where I seriously considered doing a big addition to my studio, just so I could have a really large main room.
But, I'm thinking that as long as I have my steady multimedia day gig…even though I wouldn't mind having a large main room anyway…
…I'll keep my studio semi-private and mellow…and I can be quite happy with the space I have now, which is large enough and well appointed for my needs.
Not to mention that for my own projects, or the occasional outside work…I still have some nice rooms throughout the house I can use…
…though I would never want to use that “living space” for a more commercial operation.
I know that talking “m-o-n-e-y” is always a touchy subject…but I wonder how many of you here are really “making out” with a “project studio” operation?
Anyone want to share their secrets of success and/or their difficulties? 
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1661848 - 03/08/04 12:23 PM
Re: What have they done to my art?
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miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
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Registered: 05/23/00
Posts: 12335
Loc: NY Hudson Valley, USA
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*bump*
.....anyone?
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1661849 - 03/08/04 12:41 PM
Re: What have they done to my art?
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djwayne
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/23/03
Posts: 2816
Loc: Northeastern Ohio
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I'm making out by not have to spend cold hard cash at somebody else's studio. Unlimited recording time, plus it keeps me off the streets and out of trouble. That, my friend, can get expensive. So it's the money saved that is the big benefit for me, not the money earned.
_________________________
Living' in the shadow,
of someone else's dream....
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