#989955 - 02/20/05 01:29 PM
Half a**ed clients
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ECBRules
Gold Member
Registered: 03/03/02
Posts: 537
Loc: Gaithersburg, Md, Usa
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OK.
A couple months ago i recorded a demo for this band of thirty somethings. They totally half assed it. I offered them a 3 songs for this much but they opted to just buy a day of time and record like that. It ended up costing them the same as it would with my deal, but the product was balls.
They performed sloppily where the stuff they were doing needed to be a lot tighter to come across right.
They left with the product happy.
Now they are asking me to record an album. What can I say to them that will explain to them their half assed-ness without me coming acrost as a jerk? I dont really have an interest in recording an album in two days, and they want a price quote from me.
From what I gather, I could:
* take their money and just play engineer, appeasing them, furthering myself none.
* try to convinve them to make a better product
* not respond at all 
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#989956 - 02/20/05 01:52 PM
Re: Half a**ed clients
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MASSIVE Mastering
Senior Member
Registered: 12/16/04
Posts: 63
Loc: Chicago (Schaumburg, Hoff Est....
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Say yes, then ask them if they're going to do songs they actually know this time, so you know "which microphones to use" for the session. 
If they show up, record them. 
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#989957 - 02/21/05 02:43 AM
Re: Half a**ed clients
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Bill Roberts
Gold Member
Registered: 01/18/03
Posts: 704
Loc: Florida
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Set up a meeting. Ask them if they have a producer in mind. Explain to them in the nicest way possible that you feel they could produce a lot tighter project if someone took the reins as Director/producer to critique the performances, perform punches and work with them on a quality project.
Before you go into all of that...during this meeting, ask them what they thought of the demo and if they thought they were putting their best foot forward or if they did it half cocked because it was a demo and wanted to just "get past" the initial stages of the recording process. Who knows, they may have some tight tunes. Never underestimate musicians. Just let them know (if they thought they were "pretty good") that with a producer, a cattle prodder..someone with leadership capabilities, they could do a more professional performed recording.
Unless these people simply disgust you, I would try to work with them if it were me. I hear sucky talent all the time played daily on the radio...so see what you can do with them.
_________________________
Bill Roberts Precision Mastering
-----------Since 1975-----------
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#989958 - 02/21/05 07:15 PM
Re: Half a**ed clients
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bdbklyn
Platinum Member
Registered: 04/04/01
Posts: 1035
Loc: Los Angeles,CA,UNITED STATES
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Pretty good advice Mr. Roberts.....
Bill Dooley
_________________________
Studio Guru
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#989959 - 02/22/05 12:17 AM
Re: Half a**ed clients
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ECBRules
Gold Member
Registered: 03/03/02
Posts: 537
Loc: Gaithersburg, Md, Usa
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their drummer called me for lessons today. I told him that I should come to the band's house and pre produce them before they come in to record again.
Slick. I avoided a direct confrontation with mr slop, and I put the 'do it right' bug in the drummer's ear.
They are definitely wanting to record with me again. This is good. I actually liked the people, I just wanted to see what other people's ideas were.
they're very Rock n Roll, which is always fun, but those Damn Ibanez 7 string's have a lead tone that blows my ears out every time. 3 out of 3 bands.
Maybe I can con him into getting some different lead axe but hes got a whammie bar / pedal affliction.
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#989960 - 03/25/05 10:26 PM
Re: Half a**ed clients
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Jazzman
Platinum Member
Registered: 08/15/01
Posts: 1409
Loc: ,,Hartland MI,USA
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I agree, tell them the clock ticks away when they come into the studio. However, I would spend a little more time with them up front about how much time it really takes to produce them properly. Most folks think once they are on tape, it is over. Tell them you really want them to sound good, but they need to get things tighter. I've stopped the music many times and told the folks to do things over. These folks apreciated that I stopped them for another take. They also agree once they were stopped. These people want me to more with them.
Sometimes the band is not hot enough. I find that most people are better after an hour of playing. Too many takes after that and they could loose the feeling.
I would record them, give them something to talk about.
Ps. I also have my clients sign a release from the studio that they are happy with the outcome once the tunes are handed over to them.
It's only money.
Jazzman 
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