Ever sent someone home to practice?

[Steve Henningsgard]

I always wonder how far my "authority" goes as an aspiring producer/engineer, but I've definitely suggested that people go home and practice, and call me when they're confident with the material. Is this going too far? Or should more people do this in the name of higher-quality recordings?

I mean, it's my name on these things: wouldn't it stand to reason that, as the person the band sees as most directly responsible for how their recording turns out, it's my duty to tell them if their performances don't measure up?

 

[mikemorgan]

I usually just ask them how many measures are in the first track and at what tempo so I can set my delays. That screws up a face or two.

 

[Jamie Carr]

If someones paying me to record them, I could give a crap what their abilities are. I'll smile and say " man ya'll are good" to ANYBODY for the right price.

 

[pipelineaudio]

I have. Given back the money and told them to go practice.

If they come back and still suck its not on you.

If you need the money and cant afford them to split this time, let them suck and once they leave record all their parts yourself. If they suck that bad, theyll never know

 

[NYMorningstar]

I don't think it's the engineers authority or duty to judge performances. Granted we all want the best we can get but what about the guy that will never be great? Does he just not get the opportunity to record?

It's all about management skills and who's the customer.

Sometimes it boils down to is who is paying who. If you are paying them to play a certain piece of music and they're not doing it, then either tell them to practice till they get it right or don't pay them. Of course the arrangement should be made real clear to begin with.

If they're paying you to record and produce their music then unless they are asking for it, you should keep your opinion pretty much to yourself. It is real easy to hurt an artist's feelings.

There's alot of subtle ways to nudge them to do what you want without offending them. Using a team concept works well for me.

 

[Jamie Carr]

I don't think it's the engineers authority or duty to judge performances. Granted we all want the best we can get but what about the guy that will never be great? Does he just not get the opportunity to record?

It's all about management skills and who's the customer.

Sometimes it boils down to is who is paying who. If you are paying them to play a certain piece of music and they're not doing it, then either tell them to practice till they get it right or don't pay them. Of course the arrangement should be made real clear to begin with.

If they're paying you to record and produce their music then unless they are asking for it, you should keep your opinion pretty much to yourself. It is real easy to hurt an artist's feelings.

There's alot of subtle ways to nudge them to do what you want without offending them. Using a team concept works well for me.

well said.......and if you intended to STAY in buisness for very long,....you'd better take this approach.

 

[pipelineaudio]

well said.......and if you intended to STAY in buisness for very long,....you'd better take this approach.

Not necessarily. You may find yourself in a tight knit local community where the sound of a band sucking can be attributed, wrongly, to your recording skill. It happens. This is why a lot of engineers go to see the band first.

 

[Jamie Carr]

Not necessarily. You may find yourself in a tight knit local community where the sound of a band sucking can be attributed, wrongly, to your recording skill. It happens. This is why a lot of engineers go to see the band first.

well,...I can see that I guess,.....but in my community,....we're pretty much all broke,....so we'll do damn near anything for cash!!

Actually,..my younger brother bugs me all the time to help him record some material. I helped him a while back put a couple tunes down with his band,......it was an exercise in futility to say the least. Now when he asks,...I just avoid the subject,..or say I'm busy. They suck REALLY bad,...but bless their hearts they're trying!

I'll wait for them to come around(get better),......then offer to record them

 

[Steve Henningsgard]

Personally, as a musician, I'd rather have someone tell me I'm sucking (in a polite way of course) than let me suck it up and be disappointed later on.

Of course, if the record sounds good, it's the band's fault: if it sounds bad, it's the engineer's/producer's fault. :/

 

[Steve Henningsgard]

I'll wait for them to come around(get better),......then offer to record them

Wouldn't you suppose they might appreciate your help at getting better vs. feeling like you're waiting for them to be 'good enough' for you? (Whether or not that's the case!)

 

[Jamie Carr]

Wouldn't you suppose they might appreciate your help at getting better vs. feeling like you're waiting for them to be 'good enough' for you? (Whether or not that's the case!)

They are very novice,...and I simply do not have the time or patience to teach them how to play the respective instruments.
........cruel world ain't it.

 

[Daisy]

I'm sure they'll all go home and say ...

Wow. What a swell guy.

He's really looking out for our interests, and wants us to play our very best. I feel so grateful to have such a caring engineer, who is such a straight-shooter and tells us "how it is," and challenges us to be not just good - but great.

But more than likely they'll just think you're an asshole. And you'll probably never work agian.

 

[Jamie Carr]

I'm sure they'll all go home and say ...

Wow. What a swell guy.

He's really looking out for our interests, and wants us to play our very best. I feel so grateful to have such a caring engineer, who is such a straight-shooter and tells us "how it is."

But more than likely they'll just think you're an asshole. And you'll probably never work agian.

LMFAO,.....yep

 

[Steve Henningsgard]

I'm sure they'll all go home and say ...

Wow. What a swell guy.

He's really looking out for our interests, and wants us to play our very best. I feel so grateful to have such a caring engineer, who is such a straight-shooter and tells us "how it is," and challenges us to be not just good - but great.

But more than likely they'll just think you're an asshole. And you'll probably never work agian.

Actually, so far all that's happened is people have asked me to give them guitar lessons outside of recording. I've also had a couple of bands ask to come re-record their stuff now that they've practiced what I suggested.

 

[Daisy]

Actually, so far all that's happened is people have asked me to give them guitar lessons outside of recording. I've also had a couple of bands ask to come re-record their stuff now that they've practiced what I suggested.

I've ran out in the middle of the street before without looking, and not gotten hit.

I still wouldn't recommend it as being a wise thing to do. But to each his own, I suppose.

 

[Jamie Carr]

I've ran out in the middle of the street before without looking, and not gotten hit.

I still wouldn't recommend it as being a wise thing to do. But to each his own, I suppose.

ya gotta stop,.....I almost pissed in my pants.

 

[Steve Henningsgard]

I've ran out in the middle of the street before without looking, and not gotten hit.

I still wouldn't recommend it as being a wise thing to do. But to each his own, I suppose.

True. Of course, neither of us is making millions of dollars per project either, so perhaps neither of us are doing the right thing?

 

[EdWonbass]

At my little studio I beg people to record just so I have something to do in there when I get writers block.
My son is a pretty decent guitar player but he has some friends (non musicians) that like to write these crazy songs and record them. I know right from the start it is going to be lame at best but it's fun. I won't send them home to practice because it will do no good.

 

[Daisy]

... neither of us is making millions of dollars per project either, so perhaps neither of us are doing the right thing?

I'm working with people who don't need guitar lessons.



That's at least a start.

.

 

[Steve Henningsgard]

I'm working with people who don't need guitar lessons.



That's at least a start.

.

A fair point