making a living out of recording

[mikeweezer80]

im a senior in highschool and am currently working on pickign my major for colelge and cant decide. i want to do something either in music business or recording but i dont want to be poor, . i dont want to be rich either, just be comfortable. is it realistic to make a living out of it?

 

[famous beagle]

Are you talking about recording your own music or just working at a studio as an engineer or owning/operating a studio?

 

[Masterofnone]

Yes! I know someone who's a professional musican, working for the studio his band is recording their album at, having been a sound tech for a few years, and doing a good bit of recording at his home, since the studio is a bit of a drive for them. I've been asking him myself and he said it had its ups and downs and could be downright unstable as a job at times, but he loves it. I know for a fact it pays good!

Matter of fact, I'm a freshman Mech. Engnerring and smoke is coming out my earholes, so I'm contemplating a switch to Audio Production. No doubt in my mind it's easier than ME.

He did add that it's a feild that your not likely to get a job easily or especially quickly in, unlike engineering.

 

[peritus]

Yes! I know someone who's a professional musican, working for the studio his band is recording their album at, having been a sound tech for a few years, and doing a good bit of recording at his home, since the studio is a bit of a drive for them. I've been asking him myself and he said it had its ups and downs and could be downright unstable as a job at times, but he loves it. I know for a fact it pays good!

Matter of fact, I'm a freshman Mech. Engnerring and smoke is coming out my earholes, so I'm contemplating a switch to Audio Production. No doubt in my mind it's easier than ME.

He did add that it's a feild that your not likely to get a job easily or especially quickly in, unlike engineering.

Sup, fellow HoHighHoan (Ohioan)?

 

[peritus]

im a senior in highschool and am currently working on pickign my major for colelge and cant decide. i want to do something either in music business or recording but i dont want to be poor, . i dont want to be rich either, just be comfortable. is it realistic to make a living out of it?

Do you play any instruments? It would really help.. computer knowledge doesn't hurt either...

 

[mikeweezer80]

i have been playing drums for 5 years and do have a pretty good understanding of computer knowledge.. i just want to be a professional sound engineer buti just dotn want to be brokee

 

[Nick The Man]

thats a great question ... i was just about to ask it myself

uhh im a junior and i really wanna become an engineer .. or do some work in the studio and i play drums and guitar .... i heard that helps by reading further in the thread

what are my chances?

 

[peritus]

thats a great question ... i was just about to ask it myself

uhh im a junior and i really wanna become an engineer .. or do some work in the studio and i play drums and guitar .... i heard that helps by reading further in the thread

what are my chances?

Going to Berklee (like in that other thread) would up your chances exponentially, I believe...lemme find my thread on this... brb

 

[peritus]

Going to Berklee (like in that other thread) would up your chances exponentially, I believe...lemme find my thread on this... brb

Don't let it get ya down.. but here is some real knowledge...

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=186597&highlight=nightmares

 

[cpl_crud]

If you don't want to be poor, then maybe it's not the best route.

I'm mostly a live engineer, and run my recording buisness on the side to get some extra cash.

The work is irregualr as hell- one month you might be able to afford to eat out every night and still have enough left over for a new mic, other months you'll be deciding between the rent or some food... But, over a year, it evens out, and if you're willing to put in a bit of effort it's not hard to earn more than your peers in entry-level jobs (or even low-mid managment jobs)

But, there's a lot of freedom as well. It's quite easy to run away for a week.

A studio, however, wouldn't have as much freedom, but then again it's unlikely that you'll be working crazy hours on a regular basis. Then again, I'm not sure what the job market is like over in the US, however over here (Aus) it's a lot easier to get into live sound and then migrate to studios than it is to walk straight into a studio job (unless you're willing to sign up for some bogus "cadetship" type deal- however they usually involve some really dodgy terms and conditions, so I'd read all the fine print before signing into one of them).

As for choosing a degree/course... I dunno. I did a BSc in High-energy physics, and still ended up here...

 

[Fade]

My cousin/drummer just quit his regular job to focus on starting his own studio. He has spent a lot of time paying his dues, working for very little or even nothing at a local studio. I also know another guy who runs a small local studio out of his basement and makes a "comfortable" living at it. It's not an easy road, but it is possible if it is what you love.

 

[bennychico11]

honestly, it's what you make of it

there are a lot of people in the industry who don't respect someone who gets a degree in recording...period. Berklee, Full Sail, Recording Institute....some guys just don't give a shit. They care more if you know how to run an SSL console than if you have a degree.
If you honestly believe you can put your heart and soul into it though....you'll be able to do it. Sounds corny, but it's true. It's a dog eat dog world out there and you really have to just stop sitting on your ass and get out there and find work.

Music recording is the hardest to get into. So many big name studios are shutting down and most people just do their recording at home...unless they are good enough to get big name label attention. I do mostly post production work, and that's where the consistent money is. I wouldn't say I'm going to be a millionare anytime soon, but I at least can make rent, pay bills, and go out. Just like a typical 9-5 job.
Live concert work can also get you some good money. If you can hook up with a tour, they pay for mostly everything for you (room and board) and then give you an allowance. I've known people who just save up the allowance money in order to buy a house with it.
Freelance work is some of the hardest to get, and you really have to know people in the industry in order to make it work. And if you want to work with a company full time, expect to start as an intern making $0 an hour. It sucks, but hopefully you can move up slowly.

We don't do it for the money. We do it because we can't imagine ourselves doing anything else.
I could never see myself in a suit and tie, driving a BMW and typing presentations all day in Microsoft Word at work just to impress my boss who is in charge of the Peterson account. I'd rather be running around, syncing up tapes, troubleshooting word clock issues and calibrating meters than dealing with the business side of client relationships.

 

[cpl_crud]

We don't do it for the money. We do it because we can't imagine ourselves doing anything else.
I could never see myself in a suit and tie, driving a BMW and typing presentations all day in Microsoft Word at work just to impress my boss who is in charge of the Peterson account. I'd rather be running around, syncing up tapes, troubleshooting word clock issues and calibrating meters than dealing with the business side of client relationships.

Here here!
I spent three years in the military as an Officer... I've had more than enough of dressing up and impressing the higher-ups.

RE: the touring world
It's a lot easier to get into, the work is "more" stable (although still random as hell) and you meet a lot of different people. Plus, working with other entertainment disciplines may open up new doors- I started walking this path as a lampie (Lighting Designer/Tech), even did a couple of tours on the LX crew, but now I'm a full-time audio nerd.

Plus, the whole "accomidation" thing is pretty good. You'll find most touring companies have deals with half-decent hotels. Some of the places I've stayed have been better than home...

Definatley worth looking into if you plan to make a living out of the technical side of music

 

[boingoman]

Matter of fact, I'm a freshman Mech. Engnerring and smoke is coming out my earholes, so I'm contemplating a switch to Audio Production. No doubt in my mind it's easier than ME.

He did add that it's a feild that your not likely to get a job easily or especially quickly in, unlike engineering.

An EE wouldn't hurt in addition. That's how people who were called engineers got that name originally.

 

[mikeweezer80]

how do you go about getting a gig on a tour?

 

[Rokket]

how do you go about getting a gig on a tour?

In that, as well as audio engineering, it's more of who you know (or who knows you) than anything else. You may have to do a lot of pro bono work as an intern just to get your name out there. Getting the degree will help with learning some of the basics, but as stated, if you don't have any time on a mixing board, it won't matter how many degrees you have.

What type of touring gig are you talking about? Being a roadie, or as an AE? Most of the pros travel with their engineer and use them exclusively to make sure they get their sound each and every time. Being a roadie, see my above statement.

If you are looking for a career, be prepared to starve for a bit and gopher coffee and anything else an established engineer wants you to do until you get your name out there. And also be prepared to spend an inordinate amount of time with that engineer before he ever lets you touch the board.

I don't want to down your dreams or anything, but you do realize that a lot of long established recording studios are going under? Getting work in this field is getting harder every day. Some blame those of us on this site: home recording.

Good luck, I hope you make it. Just be prepared to sacrifice a lot to get there.

 

[Rokket]

A lot guys on this board built their own studio and did a lot of free stuff to establish themselves. You may want to consider that too.

 

[mikeweezer80]

any other opinions?

 

[cpl_crud]

I'll have to agree with Rokket. It's who you know, not what you know.

I'm not sure what they're called in the US, but a semi-decent "entry route" to the entertainment industry (esp touring) is being a "loader"- basically a shit-kicker who helps load/unload truck, rig/focus lights and hang PA. Whilst it sounds like crappy work (which it is), the majority of loaders wouldn't have it any other way. Plus, there's always need for more loaders, and the job interview consists of "So, you've got two legs and two arms? Welcome aboard!"
Whilst not a career in any sense, it will give you the skills, and, more importantly, the contacts that you will need to try and tour.
Unfortunatley, getting into the audio side of touring is a bit harder than trying to geting into the lighting or mechanist side, however it is possible. Befriend the systems engineers (if they 've got time to talk, that is). Whilst most bands will tour their own personal FOH/Monitor engineer, the Systems guy will generally be sent by the company providing the PA system. Get to know the systems that go out in your area- I4, V-Dosc, Mylo, Vertec etc. If you show that you know the stuff, then chances are someone will notice, and when it's time to get new staff, your name will pop up.
Admitedely, this is a fairly slow process. If you choose to go the traineeship/cadetship route, chances are it will be 2-3 years before you're considered "mature" enough to even go out on gigs.
If you're a "sideways entry" (ie, hired as a skilled engineer) to a company, then chances are you'll still be running systems for a few months before they even consider putting you in front of a console. (Once again, if you know someone, then this time can be drastically reduced...).

As with any career, it takes time, however, unlike a management or buisness job, the path isn't always clear. There are times you'll wake up from nightmares that you'll still be living off rice for the rest of your life, but, most of the time, you'll have a blast.

Touring can be a great experience, espically if you're young (so long as you're over the legal age, obviously). "Living the dream" is always interesting, and, although you'll be doing back-to-back 18 hour days for a fortnight, you'll always feel great after those first few post-show beers.

 

[bcains]

For my reply.