Another mix and mastering tip(s)

  • Thread starter Thread starter BeatsBuY
  • Start date Start date
Ya, I feel you on that. I now write every dime I make and all my expenses...

Cause you have to take into account gas and travel... If you make $60 and spend $10 on gas and then have to buy CD's at $15.00, it all eats up what you made... So I try to budget myself. If I go over my budget, well no eating out that night or buying those new shoes this month... :D

Sometimes people don't understand that running a studio costs money. And you have to pass your overhead into your rates... If my rates don't pay for my overhead with no profit, I have to close. So when you charge $30-$40 an hour, half my go to lighting, rent, or workers... If I cut someone a break at $20 an hour, I just dug my grave... So always aim higher then your rate. Say $40 if you know the client will cut you down to $30...

I know this off topic for mixing and mastering, but good info...
 
BeatsBuY said:
Ya, I feel you on that. I now write every dime I make and all my expenses...

Cause you have to take into account gas and travel... If you make $60 and spend $10 on gas and then have to buy CD's at $15.00, it all eats up what you made... So I try to budget myself. If I go over my budget, well no eating out that night or buying those new shoes this month... :D

Sometimes people don't understand that running a studio costs money. And you have to pass your overhead into your rates... If my rates don't pay for my overhead with no profit, I have to close. So when you charge $30-$40 an hour, half my go to lighting, rent, or workers... If I cut someone a break at $20 an hour, I just dug my grave... So always aim higher then your rate. Say $40 if you know the client will cut you down to $30...

I know this off topic for mixing and mastering, but good info...
Click to expand...

I'm with you homie. I don't have as much overhead as most, but there is still some I have to deal with. Cutting my rates, is near to impossible at some points. I do it if I can afford to, but I always try to break even at the very least.

Which reminds me... I need a new spindle of CD-R's, a spindle of DVD-R's, and another package of slimline jewel cases... There goes 2 hours of engineering work right there. :(

People also forget that time=money. If my time isn't spent making money, then I prefer to be using my time with my family. Playing with my son, or going out with my wife. My time is important to them, and if you (the client) are taking me away from them, you have to pay me for my time.

I get maybe... 3 or 4 emails a day, asking me for collabs, or what not. 90% of those people go away when I tell them I charge $100 for a collab. Which typically gets you a 16 bar verse and a hook... The real emcees, the ones who are in this for the long haul, always pay me. They're down, and they know it's just business... The people who rhyme as a hobby, never even e-mail me back after I tell them I charge.

You can tell the real ones from the fake ones as soon as it comes to putting money behind your product.
 
For CD-Rs, Office Depot and Best Buy always have these 2 for 1 100 spindle deals on the first week of every month. So you can get 200 CDs for only $10 or so. Not bad at all... You check back at the end of the month and it's something like $39 for 1 spindle. So you can save a lot. Might even be better then internet... ;)
 
Change - What price do you pay for your CDR/DVDR. and jewl cases?

If I can find my link to the site I goto on the web to get them..it might be cheaper for you..plus the CDR are Silver on Silver..im seraching now..
 
Good look on the links! Ya, if we can find the best deals for Silver on Silver, that would be it...
 
I usually buy Maxell 80 min Silver on Silver in 100 pack spindles for like, $22.00 I think. DVD is usually DVD-R by Verbatim. 20 pack for $18.00.

I'll check those links out...

Jewel cases are usually $20 for 50, and I try to get 100 at a time.
 
Change how are you promoting your music besides online?
You seem like your doing your thing, I might be able to pick up a few tips from you.
 
mentalattica said:
Change how are you promoting your music besides online?
You seem like your doing your thing, I might be able to pick up a few tips from you.
Click to expand...
My online promotions, suck...lol..

I'm really bad at promoting myself, man. Maybe I'm too humble, I dunno... I just hate "big upping" myself.

Anyway... I do shows. I perform almost anywhere they'll let me. Some places, I charge, some I don't... I tour, I go on the road, I grind our the bar/club scene, and I stay on stage.

Also, being a Mixing and Masterng engineer, has allowed me to work with some major names in the underground, and has granted me favor in certain circles.

It's all just hustle, fam.
 
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