Many engineers and producers have preferences on the variety of music they may want to record or work on. One of my professors told me that if you are seeking to expand a business, you can’t be choosey. Even if you don’t care for the music type, it will be a paying gig, and you gain a relationship with the community. It’s possible to specialize in one or two styles of music and still work with other styles, too. You will find that the experience will create more ideas when you are creating the music of your choice. Let’s not be narrow-minded with our opportunities. Reach out to everyone, and attain the respect that you need to grow your label. You’ll also gain references from those artists for more business.

If you had a choice, would you be doing what you do, musically?

If you had a choice, would you choose only the people you want to work with?

If you had the choice, would you do what you do for free?

Are there any choices in your past that you wished you hadn’t done?

Aren’t you glad that you have the option to choose the way you want to do anything?

You control the choices you make. Don’t authorize anyone to make your decisions concerning yourself!

I’ve chosen this topic simply to render some advice to my fellow engineers/producers. I know how dedicated you are to your work habits in the studio. I sometimes get lost in my work, and hours have passed before I take a break. What results in my neglect is tired ears, strained eyes, and a sore bum. It is recommended for every two hours, one should take fifteen-minute breaks. This will rest tired ears, and allow you to hear what was missed in the mixing process before the break. Take responsibility for your hour work hours, and stick to a schedule that compliments work habits. You will extend the life of your most precious tools.

What makes you certain that your product is what you’re audience will purchase? You must have confidence in yourself and willing to go the extra mile. The more you work on your performance and delivery, the better you’ll be as an artist. If you look at the celebrity artists who have made it in the industry and read about their journey to stardom, you’ll find that they had to work hard on their craft to get where they are now. Don’t cut corners on your career. Give it your very best and gain the confidence that you are reaching for.

I don’t know about you, but I get frustrated when a client comes to a session late, and not prepared. It really bothers me when they ask for more time to get their lyrics together, which is not really a problem, but they don’t want you to charge them for it. Two things, I didn’t make you late, and I don’t write your lyrics, because if I did, you wouldn’t be unprepared. Am I overreacting? Tell me your story for comparison.

Hey there! I want to share some pointers that may be useful to you when choosing microphones for your studio. First, you need to know what type of studio it is that you are starting. If you’re just recording vocals sung on a track, then a good quality condenser mic is a good investment. Now, depending on the interface or mic pre you’re using, will determine what you can get away with. But I would suggest a mic that would perform well with multiple vocals, unless you can afford several different mics. Second, understand your frequencies and how to adjust them to your taste. Not every microphone performs the same. Maybe you can have a mic shootout, then choose from the favorites. Thirdly, try to have your studio soundproofed to get a true measurement of the mics potential. You don’t want unnecessary reverberation in your testing. And lastly, have the vocalists that you plan to use available for testing. Maybe someone that you’ve used before and are familiar with. Now if you are recording a full band, then your choice of mics broadens, because you have to have both condenser and dynamic mics. But that’s just my opinion. There are great condensers that can do just as good as a dynamic mic, but having a choice is always good. Certainly there are more tips to use, but here is a starting point.

This one is for the client as well as for the engineer. There are so many studios out here than can be counted. But do you know what to look for when you shop for studio time? Yes, they may have a website with them sitting in front of a $250,000 mixing board, but what does their studio actually have? I’m not fronting on what is done, but a description of what they are working with should be available for the client to know what type of equipment you’re using, ie.., Mics, analog or digital, compressors or eq’s,…. this way the client can determine if you are the right fit for them. It’s also called professionalism. You’re welcome.

I’m just going straight to the elephant in the room. Some clients believe that studio pricing is too high. I’m sorry, did you go to college, or self teach yourself for a number of years just to give away your talent? Will you volunteer to pay off student loans or pay utility bills for me? Our prices are an indication to you that we are experienced, and we are giving you the best product that money can buy. If it’s not to your expectations, then ask us to correct it, and we will. But don’t ask us to work for free. We have responsibilities, too! Respect our prices, and if it is possible, we may give you a discount for being a loyal client. js

I know that it’s early, but being that I don’t blog on Sat. & Sun., I wanted to let all of the fathers in the industry, and fathers not in the industry know that they are appreciated, and to keep being the example to your children that they know you to be. Have a Happy Father’s Day, and many more. Now, let’s make some music!

I’m a multitasker. I play keyboard, sing, and sometimes direct, and keep vocal levels and harmonies all at the same time. But that isn’t always the case for some. Just to be able to concentrate on one thing is enough to deal with, let alone thinking about something else. Multitasking requires repetitiveness, practice, and desire to make what you’re doing perfect. But even if you can’t do it, appreciate those who do. Artists who write, and play an instrument, all while in the studio recording, are very talented. And what they are doing, is multitasking. Watching others who multitask deserves paying attention to. Find one that fits what you are working towards, and build your abilities.