Charging for recordings ?$$?

[Manuelj]

Hello,

Im going to be doing a recording for a friend of mine, just some instrumental tracks he has composed on his keyboard, how much should I charge him?

My recording setup is very simple, nothing spectacular: Im using a four track recorder as a mixer, and also as a mean to add some volume to the signal. Sound card is pretty much what came with the computer. I use Guitar Tracks 2.0. The quality I get is pretty good. I'll thank you in advance for your help

Manuel

 

[Track Rat]

With that as a front end, I could not in good conscience charge anything. Do it for the experience.

 

[Manuelj]

I know its pretty bad. The quality I get from my recordings is not bad though. I've recorded some guitars in top of beats written on fruity loops.

 

[crankz1]

Yeah if it's a good friend .... do it for the experience, unless you feel your time is more valuable. Then charge what you feel your time is worth.

 

[Imaduck]

Make him buy you lunch.. a good lunch.. sounds fair to me.

 

[VooDu Valve]

lunch is good............. especially if you can eat.......
have fun
chris

 

[mikeh]

I think having him buy lunch is a good idea. If it's only instrument tracks from a keyboard it should not take that long.

Often charging too early in a "career" can have a negative effect. If the "client" is not satisfied they think they were cheated and that word of mouth will kill your reputation. However, if it turns out great, he'll think you were very fair and may come back (or recommend you) at which point you may be in a better position to charge (at least for your time) and if it doesn't turn out that great the client can't get too bent out of shape cause all you asked for is lunch with a friend.

 

[bennychico11]

at the same time you want to have him at least take you out to lunch or do something in return....otherwise some people can think they will always be able to use you to record for free for them anytime they need something.

 

[VooDu Valve]

at the same time you want to have him at least take you out to lunch or do something in return....otherwise some people can think they will always be able to use you to record for free for them anytime they need something.

And tell him not to tell other about the deal and that they should contact you for a cost......... or you'll be eating a lot of hotdogs.....lol

 

[distortedrumble]

and if he takes you out to lunch...dont be nice and order the chicken fingers....get the fajita steak wraps and a nice import beer....that oughta let him know what your time is worth

 

[distortedrumble]

i think my experience is worth being paid for....but if its just some instrumental stuff....i can be bought for a plate of nachos and a beer

 

[Manuelj]

You guys having a nice time bashing the "newbie"? Thanks for your contempt. I risk looking like a fool thinking I was going to be treated with a bit more openmindness and respect. I'll find help elsewhere.

Assholes.......

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

You guys having a nice time bashing the "newbie"? Thanks for your contempt. I risk looking like a fool thinking I was going to be treated with a bit more openmindness and respect. I'll find help elsewhere.

Assholes.......

You really need to lighten-the-fuck-up....... seriously!

 

[stoctony]

You guys having a nice time bashing the "newbie"? Thanks for your contempt. I risk looking like a fool thinking I was going to be treated with a bit more openmindness and respect. I'll find help elsewhere.

Assholes.......

Dude, thats messed up. Was he calling everyone on this BBS assholes???

P.S. Pay for all recordings in beer. Hey Blue Bear..12 Pack for say......2 tracks. Deal?

I think they should have a newbie break-in page where only Blue Bear, C7sus and TexRoadkill can reply. That would break em' in just fine.

 

[randyfromde]

If he's a friend of yours, I'd chalk it up as a fun experience. I can't imagine my friend charging me when he turns a couple mics on while we're jamming.

If he's a good friend, he'll bring a 6-pack with him without prompting

 

[bennychico11]

Of course randyfromde means to add that you shouldn't drink while recording...right???

 

[randyfromde]

I am only talking about splitting a 6-pack here...not a whole bottle of Jack!

 

[distortedrumble]

i guess i can kinda see how it'd look like we were making fun of him but with a low quality setup and a few mics and just some instrumental work....what do you expect? asking us if you should get paid isnt the question...ask yourself if you want to be paid.....in monetary currency. back in 2000 my time was a bottle of boonesfarm and i was there for the night. now i can ask for money and sometimes people pay with money(beer/liquor is still a valid form of currency and sometimes holds a greater value than a dollar). welcome to a business of negotiation. pro bono work can go a long way towards client loyalty sometimes.

 

[distortedrumble]

Of course randyfromde means to add that you shouldn't drink while recording...right???

if you drink and then record....the singing may sound shitty....but the outtakes are priceless.

 

[bsanfordnyc]

You guys having a nice time bashing the "newbie"? Thanks for your contempt. I risk looking like a fool thinking I was going to be treated with a bit more openmindness and respect. I'll find help elsewhere.

Assholes.......

You can only get as much respect as you deserve.

Everyone here was just trying to help you out. You have a low-end setup, that you claim to have "recorded some guitar tracks over some beats"?? Are you fucking kidding me? And you want to charge a friend?? On top of it you're going to summarily call everyone an asshole??

You definately should go elsewhere to find help.