How to stop band from sharing unfinished rough mixes?

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If the people you are feeling with seem intelligent, you could explain to them that you only get one chance for a first impression and if that first impression is made with an unfinished mix, they are effectively running around giving people the impression that they suck.

If they aren't smart enough to handle that, only give them what they need to hear. for example, if the guitar player needs to listen to what he just played that day to make sure its all good, give him a mix of just that guitar and drums for context.

But if this is a band that you are not in and they are paid up, its not your problem if they take all the value out of the recordings by circulating unfinished stuff. Do your thing, get paid and move on.

I am kind of with an earlier comment, it should sound like something useable in scratch form. Normally what happens to me is that that ever instrument was recorded that day will be too loud in the mix simply because I got used to hearing it that way while monitoring the performance.
 
I used to give out rough mixes and I got so tired of everyone calling or coming to the next session saying this needs to be fixed and this needs to be louder, etc. etc.

I then started to spend waaaaay too much time trying to make the rough mixes as good as possible - which required a lot of time that I never billed and in a couple of cases, people took the rough mix, decided it was good enough (to demo the band to clubs, etc.) and ultimaly never paid me to finish the project.

I think what finally caused me to draw a line in the sand and say no more - a songwriter I worked with had a few skeleton songs which I spent a lot of time on , working out solid arrangements, etc. (I played all the instruments, sang lead & harmonies, etc.). I also spent a lot of time educating this guy on how to copyright material, etc. etc. He was elated with what I did and asked for a rough mix. The next day, his wife called me with a whole list of things she did not like and demanded that I change this and play this part different, etc.

I told her as soon as she paid me for the hours I put in to create recordings that her husband had loved 12 hours prior - then I would start to make whatever changes he/she wanted (at my going billing rate). Never heard from either one of them again.
 
As I'm handing people their rough mixes, I always say "these mixes are going to suck because..." and tell them that they are just for reference to see if everything is played correctly.

If they choose to post them, it just makes them look like crap. I have more than enough good product with my name on it that I'm not worried about my image being tarnished by an over-excited band member prematurely posting a song.

But I have to say, I have only had one guy that does this. And he is an actual rock star that should know better and has the most reputation to lose by doing it. But I can't seem to get through to him.
 
If someone gives you any issues about it, cash out the project and hand them a CD, problem solved!
 
Ive already explained what to do, theres no need for elaborite schemes, leave one track out, an important one.. period. When everyones done and everything is paid, then you get all the tracks.
 
I took my cue from Amazon and iTunes. I only had roughs of 30 second snippets. They want more to hear, listen in the room, pay me for the time. You just have to make it plain FROM THE MOMENT THEY CONTRACT that that is how your studio rolls. Good musicians want to hear their stuff when its rough for a multitude of reasons. Good studios don't want others to hear their stuff when its rough for a multitude of reasons.
 
I don't give out mixes until it is finished and I'm paid
 
Just tell them what you posted.

"Sorry, I'd rather not give out unfinished mixes because people will say such-and-such needs to be fixed, and it makes me look bad as an engineer because the unfinished mixes usually sound horrible."
 
dreib said:
Ive already explained what to do, theres no need for elaborite schemes, leave one track out, an important one.. period. When everyones done and everything is paid, then you get all the tracks.
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That's the last thing I would do.
I mean, it's personal preference but I'd feel awkward working with someone after giving out a massive "I don't trust you or your friends" vibe like that.

I base it on project expectations and respect.
With a young band who just want to record and bish bash bosh they've cut a record, I don't give out overnight demos.
They sit and listen properly on the day and give me their attention and feedback there and then.
Maybe I'm trying to implement some kind of discipline; I don't know.

With older or more experienced guys I'll usually give out demos because I want their proper time honoured feedback.
I want them to be happy because if they're happy they come back.
Usually people like that aren't one bit interested in spreading around unfinished demos anyway.

For those reasons, it's never been a problem.

Also, most of the people I record are friends, or at least friends of friends. Someone at some point vouched for them.
I wouldn't give any kind of demo to a stranger on the basis that it might be good enough for them, so why pay for it? Just cut and run.
It's never happened but it wont. :)

I had a know-it-all band ask for stems to play with overnight once. No chance! I do the hard work then hand over the blueprint???? Don't think so.
 
Maybe I don't have as much of a problem with it because everyone pays me at the end of every day they are here for the time I've put in so far.

I give people stems because sometimes they are recording some of the stuff at home and bringing it back to mix (or not). I actually have a few bands that come in here to record drums and they do everything else at home.

I have no problem handing a band anything because I'm always paid up. I'm certainly not worried about handing them the recipe to my "secret sauce" or anything. That's just silly.
 
Farview said:
I have no problem handing a band anything because I'm always paid up. I'm certainly not worried about handing them the recipe to my "secret sauce" or anything. That's just silly.
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LOL. Of course not. I didn't quite mean it like that.
Just if someones doing 4 quick tracks in two days, they'll not be getting any material home with them over night.
I suppose if you're getting paid by the day it's a little different. Fair enough.
And if they're recording bits at home that's totally different!
 
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