Questions for recording bands/artists

[xmicxcorex]

A friend of mine (Zach from Typhon - KS black metal) and myself (Mic from ...and ATTACK! - KS hardcore) are looking to basically start a studio here in our hometown of Newton, KS from the ground up. We are discussing many pricing options and have ultimately concluded that the idea of an hourly/daily price is, while sometimes profitable, somewhat unreal. We have stumbled upon an attractive new idea (my band is using this option as Zach records our new release) of an all around "Project Fee". Basically, rather than charge some ungodly amount per hour (if you step back and take into consideration how much $40/hr calculates to in the event that your band is doing a full length at a local studio, you'll see my point), we would discuss with the band a manageable amount that would prevent the band from going broke on their independent releases, and bring profit for ourselves as well.
My question is, as a recording band/artist, is this an attractive option for yourselves, or your band. Both of us being in recording bands ourselves, we understand that the idea of recording a well-put-together cd, cd duplication, merch (tshirts, stickers, buttons, etc.), and touring costs can be overbearing, so we want to find a more affordable way of recording.

Let me know what you think...


note to moderators: if this is in the wrong thread, feel free to move it, I really wasn't certain where to put it and didn't feel the polls thread would be quite right.

[The Boathouse]

This is a very attractive idea. It'd be nice if it caught on. I feel like records paid for by label budgets don't go by hour. How come us independent cats have to get fucked? :-|

[i234i]

ive got a studio in the uk, i know that alot labels who work with studios usually get a "total" fee for the project and the producer works out a budget and its all negotiated before the recording starts. so each party knows the total cost before starting recording... then if it runs over there are some negotiation in place.

depends on the artist/release though but alot prefer to know a set fee for what they are getting.

[Esrb99]

also have a per hr. option, lower than 40 of course. some bands just want to record one-5 songs for like a demo or ep, and a large flat rate seems like a bit much psychologically, even if you lower it for them.

[splitsecond]

we are using a well known producer, and we got a total fee that included preproduction, studio time and mixing. this is not a "new concept", but it is a good one.

[miketrondson]

we are using a well known producer, and we got a total fee that included preproduction, studio time and mixing. this is not a "new concept", but it is a good one.

Do tell!!

[splitsecond]

Do tell!!

who we are using? jamie woolford

[TheSkyline]

This is definitely a good idea, but like said above, I would have an hourly option too.

[Esrb99]

we are using a well known producer, and we got a total fee that included preproduction, studio time and mixing. this is not a "new concept", but it is a good one.

who's doing the mastering?

if you don't got anyone set up I suggest looking at the man Bob Katz, or for exceptional quality at a great price, John Scrip at Massive Mastering. http://www.massivemastering.com/html/rate_sheet.html

he's done artists such as After The Sirens, Shadows Fall, and sound stuff for Fox's American Idol.

[splitsecond]

who's doing the mastering?

if you don't got anyone set up I suggest looking at the man Bob Katz, or for exceptional quality at a great price, John Scrip at Massive Mastering. http://www.massivemastering.com/html/rate_sheet.html

he's done artists such as After The Sirens, Shadows Fall, and sound stuff for Fox's American Idol.

Right now we are planning on send it to the Blasting Room to get mastered, but I will definitely check those guys out.

[remoteCONTROL]

When we went with play/work we did a set price for the whole record. We paid half down payment to get it locked and the other half on return of the masters. I think the four year strong record was $40k total but they were in and out of the studio for about two montha all the time tweaking things. My friend does recording for about $200 a song if it's an unsigned band and negotiates a set price for labels. He started out by recordnig a song for us for free just to build up a portfolio and then chrged $100 per song after he built up his reputation. It's going to change with every band you record. I know with Aaron sprinkle you get him recording you at ithe compound studio on lock for a month including the condo for $40k. It's probably my gone up since we checked last. Setting up lodging would be a thought if you're going to be buildigthe whole studio anyways. It would be a good selling point for out of town bands. Casey bates just has 4 bunks beds, a kitchen, bathroom w/ shower and living room set up. Just some ideas

[TheSkyline]

I think the four year strong record was $40k total

Holy shit that's a lot of money to get a record done... right? I mean is that normal?

[xmicxcorex]

It wouldn't be like one set fee. We are in the process of learning about (or bringing in someone who can already) Mastering, and eventually even including an option for mass duplication. Bascially, a band would contact us, let us know what all they wanted done, a number of tracks they are looking to do, give or take 1 - 2, and the details about the songs (length, in particular)We would then sit down (Zach and myself) and figure up an idea cost, then present it to the band. The prices will always be available for negotiation, we don't want to tell a local band they have to pay $1000 for an EP, but we also dont want to do a full length for $250. There will be differences in every price rather than one flat fee. I apologize for not mentioning that.

On another hand, i am thrilled at the response I have received and we have decided to go ahead and push forward with planning. We'll keep you all posted.

[remoteCONTROL]

Holy shit that's a lot of money to get a record done... right? I mean is that normal?

For an indie label like isurrender or tooth and nail that's about standard. When all was said and done, we spent about $17k and we're unsigned. $13k for the actual month recording, $700 for the apartment that we shared with FYS, $500 a piece on airfare, $1200 for finishing touches with casey bates/Allen combs, $750 for mastering with troy glessener, $1000 for our first 1000 pressed discs...other than mastering, everything else was about half price

[remoteCONTROL]

It wouldn't be like one set fee. We are in the process of learning about (or bringing in someone who can already) Mastering, and eventually even including an option for mass duplication. Bascially, a band would contact us, let us know what all they wanted done, a number of tracks they are looking to do, give or take 1 - 2, and the details about the songs (length, in particular)We would then sit down (Zach and myself) and figure up an idea cost, then present it to the band. The prices will always be available for negotiation, we don't want to tell a local band they have to pay $1000 for an EP, but we also dont want to do a full length for $250. There will be differences in every price rather than one flat fee. I apologize for not mentioning that.

On another hand, i am thrilled at the response I have received and we have decided to go ahead and push forward with planning. We'll keep you all posted.

A good place to go check out would be black lodge with ed rose in Kansas city. The setup he has there is perfect. An internship with that guy would be one of the most valuable investments on how to run your studio

[xmicxcorex]

A good place to go check out would be black lodge with ed rose in Kansas city. The setup he has there is perfect. An internship with that guy would be one of the most valuable investments on how to run your studio


Ya, some friends of mine recorded up there. They didn't work with Ed, but I know Ed is amazing, and ive visited black lodge a couple times. Im a fan of the way he has that whole place set up. Its a shame though, that the place is for sale. If i had the 350k, id own it.

[splitsecond]

When we went with play/work we did a set price for the whole record. We paid half down payment to get it locked and the other half on return of the masters. I think the four year strong record was $40k total but they were in and out of the studio for about two montha all the time tweaking things. My friend does recording for about $200 a song if it's an unsigned band and negotiates a set price for labels. He started out by recordnig a song for us for free just to build up a portfolio and then chrged $100 per song after he built up his reputation. It's going to change with every band you record. I know with Aaron sprinkle you get him recording you at ithe compound studio on lock for a month including the condo for $40k. It's probably my gone up since we checked last. Setting up lodging would be a thought if you're going to be buildigthe whole studio anyways. It would be a good selling point for out of town bands. Casey bates just has 4 bunks beds, a kitchen, bathroom w/ shower and living room set up. Just some ideas

$40k seems like a lot for what was done on that record. I would have guessed around $20k.

[remoteCONTROL]

$40k seems like a lot for what was done on that record. I would have guessed around $20k.

Renting out Big Sky Audio alone is over $1000 a day. Nik and Matt get a discount but still for two months of work on an album including the salaries of two producers and all the teching, that's a pretty solid deal.

[splitsecond]

Renting out Big Sky Audio alone is over $1000 a day. Nik and Matt get a discount but still for two months of work on an album including the salaries of two producers and all the teching, that's a pretty solid deal.

Well, I can see how the tab gets that high, but its so excessive for that record/style of music if you ask me. Maybe I am jaded from seeing too many bands lose their asses on records.

I won't post what we are paying for our upcoming project, because quite frankly it is unbelievably low for what we are getting.

[Esrb99]

Well, I can see how the tab gets that high, but its so excessive for that record/style of music if you ask me. Maybe I am jaded from seeing too many bands lose their asses on records.

I won't post what we are paying for our upcoming project, because quite frankly it is unbelievably low for what we are getting.

haha, I charge around 300-500 at the moment, but just because it's all ep's and acoustic stuff around here, and im still learning and getting decent gear together. I want to keep it cheap enough too so that I can make good raw tracks that they can send to a good mixer and master and get the best for them.

[splitsecond]

haha, I charge around 300-500 at the moment, but just because it's all ep's and acoustic stuff around here, and im still learning and getting decent gear together. I want to keep it cheap enough too so that I can make good raw tracks that they can send to a good mixer and master and get the best for them.

If you can track well, that price is great. We spent $600 for a 3 song demo that is decent, but not great. Basically we pumped it out in 2 days, and didn't do any vocal doubling or get heavy into the mixing aspect.

As far as the record goes, we are using a very solid, somewhat known producer (Jamie Woolford) and we are getting 2 weeks in the studio, a week of mixing, and basic preproduction for a flat price plus some producer points. Since we have written a bunch of the songs over the past 2-3 years, we have a good idea what is going into them and Jamie basically polished them and took out some of our less appreciable ideas and replaced them with awesome ones. We honestly would not even benefit from spending 4 weeks tracking - we know what is going into the songs, and we know how to play them.