what to do when the mixing guy is dragging on your project...

[Michael Mason]

He declined my offer of full $$, said 75% was 'perfect'.

It's very simple.

Let's say he would usually do it for $100. He told you he'd do it for 50%. You gave him $50, you got two songs. You offered more. 25% more. You gave him $25, you got a third song.

Seems to me like because you aren't paying him his usual rate, he is putting off your project in favor of those paying him in full. It's not very honest, especially if he told you he would do it for cheaper than his usual rate. You deserve the same speed and quality of service as anyone else handing him money for a product.

Some people don't see it that way, however.

[Mo Facta]

Never pay until finished and satisfied, all the discount in the world won't make up for never getting the product.

Do you mean don't pay anything up front?

If so, that's not really how business works. I run a studio and I have payment policies. When you book me, if you want to secure your desired time frame with me, a 50% deposit is required. This is non-negotiable because just as the client doesn't want to be strung along, neither do I. The deposit is to protect my interests and to make sure the client is getting what he is paying for without hassle. Upon delivery of the final product, the other 50% is due. It goes two ways. When I get the money, the clients gets his product. This is also not negotiable, and is why I don't give out rough mixes.

I've dabbled with other payment schemes over the years, but this one works best. It just protects the interests of all involved.

Cheers

[Doctor Varney]

I just want some clarity on this. Even though I'm paying 75% of his full rate, does it still justified 6 mo. wait? Do I have the right to be frustrated?

Putting myself in the other guy's shoes for a second, I have in the past dragged heel on creative projects in the past when I've had too much on and, even though I offered a massive discount on my prices, I wasn't offended when I was asked if I could speed things up a little. It all depends on how you ask - and if you're polite and respectful (which you seem to be) then I don't see too much of a problem. If he takes offence, then that might be more his problem though you might be doing him a favour by hurrying him along. I tend to work much faster now but I know how easy it is for them little jobs to end up on a seemingly endless backburner, if no one speaks up (usually because they're scared to ask). So don't be.

Hope this helps

Dr. V

[witzendoz]

Do you mean don't pay anything up front?

If so, that's not really how business works. I run a studio and I have payment policies. When you book me, if you want to secure your desired time frame with me, a 50% deposit is required. This is non-negotiable because just as the client doesn't want to be strung along, neither do I. The deposit is to protect my interests and to make sure the client is getting what he is paying for without hassle. Upon delivery of the final product, the other 50% is due. It goes two ways. When I get the money, the clients gets his product. This is also not negotiable, and is why I don't give out rough mixes.

I've dabbled with other payment schemes over the years, but this one works best. It just protects the interests of all involved.

Cheers

Just to clarify my statement, don't pay the full fee up front, it would be like "I want to build a house", the builder wants the whole amount paid before he starts. Ho long do you think it will be before the house gets built? It will never be finished.

My policy of charging the clients is to receive the payment for each day worked as the project goes along, at the end when the project is finished final payment is to be received before the final mixes, masters, files are handed over. However this is not strict, if it's an ongoing project and I know the client well I will often let them rack up an account that they can pay off along the way or at an agreed later date. The point I was trying to make is that the project dontouch is talking about is handing over full payment (Minus discount) for something that has not even been started, there is no incentive by the guy to get it finished as he has the full payment.

alan.

[Mo Facta]

Ok, gotcha

[JeffroMixesYou]

6 months for 4 songs? That's insane...
Signed or unsigned makes no difference. Payment is payment.

Last September I commissioned a local freelance mixer to mix a 4-song ep. Six months later, I'm still waiting for the last song. Is this the norm for unsigned artists? Granted it was a mistake not giving him a deadline, I just didn't think it'd take 6 months to mix 4 pop songs! I've been very patient to him but deepdown I'm anxious! But I don't want to breathe down his neck. Apparently he's overwhelmed with projects and he had apologized for it. I feel so dejected that I don't know what's the proper thing to say or do in order to get him to finish as well as maintain a positive vibe. Advices?

[witzendoz]

By the way dontouch, did the project get finished in the end and how did it come out?

Alan.