What to charge someone for studio time?

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MaximumMetal288

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Some friends of mine are looking to record about 3 or 4 songs, and they want me to record it for them. I figure I might as well give it a shot, I enjoy recording and this would be another experience to improve my skills. I'm just not sure what to charge them, I really have no clue if I should do it by the hour or per song. I've got a Firepod and about 8 misc. mics, and the band is a jam band/classic rock group so they don't expect to much out of the quality.

I guess something like $25 a song/$8 an hour seems ok, but I don't know if that is too much or not.

Thanks
 
Yeah go ahead, why not put the price up you fucking capitalist. And when you fuck up thier recording, come back here and whine about how shit they were. You stink!
 
ballroot said:
Yeah go ahead, why not put the price up you fucking capitalist. And when you fuck up thier recording, come back here and whine about how shit they were. You stink!
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Jake or Ed? I just can't decide! :D
 
haha, 5 red chicklets in less than a month, theres only a few people on here who can do that.............
 
Well I wouldn't charge for the simple fact that if you're not that great they'll probably hound you to "do this" or "do that" or "I don't like that" and it'll never end. If you do it for free and it sucks then you can say "hey you stupid bitch ass tricks I did this fuckin bullshit you called music for free, if you don't like it then fuck off."
 
I would charge them by the hour so they don't fool around and take forever.

The numbers you posted seem low, but I guess it depends on how good an engineer you are and how good friends they are. You could definitely charge more if you wanted to.
 
MaximumMetal288 said:
Some friends of mine are looking to record about 3 or 4 songs, and they want me to record it for them. I figure I might as well give it a shot, I enjoy recording and this would be another experience to improve my skills. I'm just not sure what to charge them, I really have no clue if I should do it by the hour or per song. I've got a Firepod and about 8 misc. mics, and the band is a jam band/classic rock group so they don't expect to much out of the quality.

I guess something like $25 a song/$8 an hour seems ok, but I don't know if that is too much or not.

Thanks
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KEy Words SOME FRIENDS
Dont Charge FRIENDS
What Type of Guy Are U
 
J-Cal said:
KEy Words SOME FRIENDS
Dont Charge FRIENDS
What Type of Guy Are U
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Damn...

Okay.. Say's your a rapper, in the other thread.. so 'ere goes...

You know the track, by Tupac: "2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted"?

Well yeah... Snoop and Pac were friends.. and guess what.. THEY BOTH GOT PAID FOR THAT SHIT!!!

Now do you get it? :confused:
 
I have also considered trying to find some bands to record. I don't think I would charge much until I was sure I could turn out a decent product. I wish my son would get a band together I would love to record high school bands. Of course I'm sure it would be take after take and many mistakes but the sound would be decent. :D
I say don't charge them for set up time but once the recording starts $8 seems cool.
 
for a kick off you said they were your FRIENDS and you needed the experience.

Record them and make them bring the pizza and beer
 
LemonTree said:
for a kick off you said they were your FRIENDS and you needed the experience.

Record them and make them bring the pizza and beer
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That also sounds fair.
 
Suck on what the lemon says,
Beer, pizza and, from my point of view, anything it costs you - if it's CDRs, tape anything - that they'll be walking away with.

Helping friends whilst learning is what it's all about BUT sometimes friends don't recognize that & can lean a little if it's all convivial & for laughs, especially your time.

If it's at your convenience (& not in your loo for those Brits who remember the Carry On flicks) and within your parameters it's for mates, beer, pizza & costs.

If it's to suit them & puts you out then mate's rates, (very minimal) ought to come into the pre event discussion.

You can't really charge for electricity, talent and to put something aside for that mic you've been after UNLESS you can really provide a semi professional service & "product".

Hey, I've hedged my bets & trimmed around the edges to get to a very compromised position.
If it were me I'd do it for free, & if I were illused probably whine about the inconvenience afterwards.
Cheers
& sorry to be no help at all
rayC

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, (Horshack impersonation), one thing I have learnt & can pass on is DON'T crack open the beer until the setting up & the planning is done AND keep both the beer & pizza away from your gear.
 
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Another vote for Lemon's advice.

You'll be sure to keep your friends that way AND get some good experience running the studio for someone else. Its a different beast that recording yourself.

So enjoy the pizza and beer, and make it a learning experience worth the time you're spending. Push it as far as you can and GET the best quality- even if they aren't expecting it. Then you have a resume item and spent time that wasn't wasted.

Enjoy!
Chris
 
I use the term friends loosely... What happened was my friend Alex came up to me and asked if I'd be interested in recording the band. I know of one of the kids in the band, Eric, but otherwise I do not know the rest of the band personally. I don't even know Eric too well, we've just crossed paths and had a few chats now and then. I used to know the drummer 3 years ago, but we haven't talked in a long time.

Well anyway, Alex said they are willing to pay, so maybe I'll just ask the guys in the band what they think is fair. They wouldn't be jerks about that, that's one of the few things I know about those guys.

I guess I'll figure something out.
 
100 dollars, divided 4 ways is only 25 bucks. They can swing that. A flat rate tends to make stuff more relaxed/better product. When this band shows others the quality, (improved from not being rushed) other bands will come and you can charge hourly
 
I learned, the hardway, NEVER CHARGE A FLAT RATE, jesus christ. Hourly is the only way to go because think about it, if you're a "artist" in someone studio, why would you feel like you had to do it correctly in one take like a live preformance? I will never charge a flat rate again after one band. Jesus.


-jeffrey
 
OhSh1rt said:
I learned, the hardway, NEVER CHARGE A FLAT RATE, jesus christ. Hourly is the only way to go because think about it, if you're a "artist" in someone studio, why would you feel like you had to do it correctly in one take like a live preformance? I will never charge a flat rate again after one band. Jesus.


-jeffrey
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at 14 I'd pay you in pizza, NO BEER!
 
If you are new to the game, flat rate + costs for non friends, costs for friends. I think charging at least a nominal fee will help your credibility a little bit. You bring Joe Puffy into the studio, record a free 4 track demo, and he can trash it all he wants, blame the studio, whatever. Invest like thirty bucks, and it goes from garbage rookie record to "you get what you pay for" which is better IMHO.
 
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