Im gonna be uploading vlogs from my studio too...I started out paying studios in the 90s, recording and learning and building a home studio a lil piece at a time and practicing at home....flash forward after many years...and now I have a full blown studio and been producing my own albums for years. I look at all my time paying other studios was my collage years...I learned alot from them and my quality at home got better and better through the years as I got better and continued to upgrade my equipment. It's been my life's work. started in 1996.
Hey Jeremy! Just wanted to chime in. Dude, you are 100% spot on with EVERYTHING you said in this video. I have always dabbled in engineering but when the pandemic hit, I lost my job as a session drummer. The studios weren't open here in NYC. Plus my side job was playing in the pits on and off-Broadway and they are still closed. I was depressed, collecting unemployment, which because of being a gig worker was equal to around $250 a week and I didn't know what to do. My girl is a singer and I started mixing some stuff for her and her coworkers and next thing I knew I had people asking me to work on some stuff for them. At this point, I was doing it for free but people were really happy with my work so I said screw it and started charging for mixing and mastering. Just like $20 or $30 at first and I sat there for wayyyyy to long probably. Then about 3 months ago I decided to start charging what I feel like I am worth and it has been the best decision I made! I am making pretty good money, working with a much much higher caliber of musicians and I get to do what I love every day. It's a scary business but if your work is good and you have decent people skills you can make a living doing this. It's A LOT of work. A LOT of hours but it's so rewarding! I don't have any experience tracking (except vox and drums) but once the world gets back to "normal" I am thinking about learning the basics and starting to do that as well. I really want to stick mostly to engineering tho. Just thought I would comment because I heard a lot of my story and just wanted to let people know that in my experience everything you just said is spot on! Thanks for all the vids, I have learned a lot from you and always find myself relating to your content. Rally looking forward to the video you referenced about pricing, even tho this is subjective. In my case, I charge a little less than most (only like $25 less) but it's deliberate to ensure that I stay working. I work on several projects daily and have been for the last few months but would love to hear what you have to say about it! Stay safe man!
Dude I love hearing this! Also, since you’re a drummer on that level… And you can record… Do you offer any remote session drum recording stuff. I feel like a lot of people even watching this channel would be stoked to know they could have access to a real drummer who knows what they’re doing and can record on their tracks remotely. Just a thought
@@RecordingStudioLoser Hey man, thanks for the comment back! I do but it really depends on the job. The best thing would be for anyone to reach out to me and we can talk! My email is matthewkutoloski@gmail.com my home setup is an Alesis Stike Pro SE (full acoustic to electric conversion) 6 pieces (snare, bass, and 4 toms) 5 cymbals (typically 3 crash, 1 splash/effect cymbal, 1 ride), and hats. I trigger SSD5.5 (Steven Slate Drums) and SD3 (Superior Drummer 3) in Logic Pro X. I appreciate you mentioning it and if anyone wants to shoot me an email to discuss their needs they can certainly do that. I do have a few vids on my channel of some covers I played and engineered. However, they are on my old kit (much much nicer one now) :) but the samples you can hear are the same software I am currently using! Thanks again, man! Really cool of you to even mention it.
I'm 19. I'm currently studying music production at community college, and in the process of applying for a course in sound production at a university. I feel like this is what I want to do in life, and these videos are really motivating and inspiring - it's like hearing: "Yes! You CAN do this." Thank you for that! :) Greetings from Sweden and a happy new year.
This topic is exactly what I'm working on. After slacking for a lot of years where I should have been trying much much harder I'm finally taking it more seriously and am taking steps to make it happen. Long hard road to go, but it needs to be done. Excellent advice here.
I’ve been audio engineering in multiple studios over the last 4-5 months your videos have been giving me way more confidence to take more of a chance on myself and step out on my own. Can’t wait to make progress🙃
Kudos to you and your hard work. Where is your studio??? Economy crashed in that time frame of 2008 - 2009. I had a multi-million dollar film project deal that would set me for life, only to have the Writers Guild to go on strike (shutting down all production) and losing everything from economic crash, including my home. It's been a hard time to claw back.
I too have an MBA and do not want to use it…I want to do audio as a full time job…I have a job that pays me very well that needs to be replaced. I don’t have a studio, I have been freelancing FOH and have just lately gotten into theatrical mixing and I think I want to open a theater! This video was AMAZING. I am really enjoying the videos and the channel (and yes I subscribed and I’m headed over to Patreon now)…keep well.
Great video! Completely agree with the files and giving copies. When I work with clients.. they have paid for everything that happens on the project up until that point, weather they continue with me or another studio. If they’ve paid, it’s their product.
Excellent quality informative videos. My end goal is evtually to come of site work and turn my hobby of guitar and music into a career. You've earnt a sub 👍
Im watching your videos since around 4 months and I totally love them. But after watching most of your videos, I still couldn't get around your name. Have a great new year!!
Great video! 100%agree about giving files - I do the same thing - i make sure I get paid to track - and they know they're getting quality from just that alone.
This is an incredibly helpful video man! I’m hoping to open my own place as a commercial outfit next year, so this was some invaluable advice! Thank-you! 🙌🏼
Funnily enough, I also have a degree in HR and work in HR. My dream is to make this as a professional career and live well. The goal is to be able to do this maybe in 2024. Still need to move out of parents' house which due to the current situation we all live in, is more complicated than it seems. I'm focusing on starting to create a portfolio, having my work exposed out there and slowly and gradually start to create a clientele
Just had to say I just discovered your channel this weekend it's already one of my favorites. I'm 25 now and my best friend and I are self taught and have been producing for 10 years this past October. I'm the main engineer and he's the main instrumentalist. This year we dumped 90% of our income from our day jobs into gear such that we can start a home studio / livestream venue. We've only produced one album with another EP to be released in January. I'm curious what your opinion is on how people like myself with what I'd consider "professional" skill level to aquire and sustain a decent client base in "the new normal". As a follow up I'm also curious if you thinking taking out a substantial business loan to kickstart a studio is too risky a move to make in these times. Hope you're having a great day man, and thanks for the content.
Dude that’s awesome! Congratulations on making a jump. I think those questions are related. I definitely wouldn’t take out a loan if you’re asking how to sustain clientele. That said without knowing more specifics it’s really hard to get into the nitty-gritty. About a loan. It least when I was starting it wasn’t even an option to get one. That said weigh out your options. I don’t really like going into debt unless I absolutely have to but that said there are a lot of really good programs if you need the gear to go through somebody like Vintage King or Sweetwater to do financing. BUT. Never spend money you don’t have. For me, slow growth is always better and more sustainable. But there are definitely certain gear choices if you’re starting a studio that you just have to have and in that case financing might be the best option. Especially if there’s already clients coming in.
I really appreciate the response. If it's agreeable, I'd be interested in paying you for a half hour call to perhaps provide more context and get some ideas on how to move forward. We've been forging ahead with our best knowledge but sometimes one little detail can illuminate ways of thinking we hadn't considered. Thanks, again.
Do you have any tips for someone who has a day job that pays the bills, how would you recommend facilitating a move to a creative career? I'm not in a position to stop working and start recording
I did this in 2010 and it was the worst 7 year mistake I EVER made musically! but,, I'm in a part of Georgia where everyone and their granny is a rapper now, and a majority were damn near carbon copies of each other. Haven't had so many problems with payment and arranging payments for services since I was 15 or 16 and figuring out how to work odd jobs...
Yes, like I said I won’t have a session unless it’s paid for… So in that instance I’ll give them their files. What I was referencing was even in cases where a bane has paid for the recording process there are still engineers who won’t give them the files. That’s really what I was getting at.
@@RecordingStudioLoser got it, thanks! I was pretty sure I was picking up what you were putting down, but wanted to be sure! I love you channel! Trying to make the transition to professional myself so your videos are crazy insightful!
So when you talk about giving them their files. That’s cool, can you elaborate, because if you give them the session files, they then in turn get your presets, vocal chains, the lot. Now, for someone who’s confident this won’t matter but I can see why people would be apprehensive. Stems are a no brainier though, nobody should have a problem with that. What’s your advice on the natural inclination to want to keep your gems to yourself. (Btw I have given session files)
I’ve never really been worried about giving away my files. Now when it comes to chains you could decide to take the plug-ins off. That’s an awfully quick action that could get rid of that. In the case could be made that they possibly don’t even have those plug-ins so why included in the session files. All that said I’m not going to give away a file where someone could replicate exactly what I’m doing without paying for it however if they want their files I’m happy to give them a blank session file of it, and sometimes during the tracking process I do put plug-ins on some thing. They normally get all that. But either way, the way I see it they’ll never be able to fully replicate what I would do so I’m not that worried about it.
@@RecordingStudioLoser firstly, thanks for taking the time to respond. Secondly, awesome advice. I’m thinking to maybe save a separate version, then commit to the plugins, that way they get the sound, but not the secret sauce. Otherwise you’re right, they can replicate without ever needing you again. Thanks dude! 👊🏻
If you select all your tracks you want to remove. (I’m not at my computer and it’s more muscle memory than actually memory) but if you select your tracks then hold shift and command (or ctrl) then click on the plug-in instance and select no plug-in it will delete every plug-in that same slot across all selected tracks.
@@RecordingStudioLoser thanks man appreciate it. Appreciate you explaining the whole studio business side of it too. You can be the best engineer but not now how to price, whether it’s by hour, project etc. So, thanks.
Hard for me is finding customers. Really, can't even ask low rates, since no one wants me to work for them. I don't even have a bad history of mixed music since some of them went to some important indipendent labels here in italy. Just thinking moving to canada
Have you checked in with clients you've worked with in the past to try to get feedback? Sometimes they can tell you things could improve that maybe you don't even notice?
Done. Work's cool and fun to do with me it seems. Problem is Italian market and people's expectations. I'll try focusing on my music for now. I'll let it speak for my skills. Maybe I'll do some playthrough or live streams
Im gonna be uploading vlogs from my studio too...I started out paying studios in the 90s, recording and learning and building a home studio a lil piece at a time and practicing at home....flash forward after many years...and now I have a full blown studio and been producing my own albums for years. I look at all my time paying other studios was my collage years...I learned alot from them and my quality at home got better and better through the years as I got better and continued to upgrade my equipment. It's been my life's work. started in 1996.
Hey Jeremy! Just wanted to chime in. Dude, you are 100% spot on with EVERYTHING you said in this video. I have always dabbled in engineering but when the pandemic hit, I lost my job as a session drummer. The studios weren't open here in NYC. Plus my side job was playing in the pits on and off-Broadway and they are still closed. I was depressed, collecting unemployment, which because of being a gig worker was equal to around $250 a week and I didn't know what to do. My girl is a singer and I started mixing some stuff for her and her coworkers and next thing I knew I had people asking me to work on some stuff for them. At this point, I was doing it for free but people were really happy with my work so I said screw it and started charging for mixing and mastering. Just like $20 or $30 at first and I sat there for wayyyyy to long probably. Then about 3 months ago I decided to start charging what I feel like I am worth and it has been the best decision I made! I am making pretty good money, working with a much much higher caliber of musicians and I get to do what I love every day. It's a scary business but if your work is good and you have decent people skills you can make a living doing this. It's A LOT of work. A LOT of hours but it's so rewarding! I don't have any experience tracking (except vox and drums) but once the world gets back to "normal" I am thinking about learning the basics and starting to do that as well. I really want to stick mostly to engineering tho. Just thought I would comment because I heard a lot of my story and just wanted to let people know that in my experience everything you just said is spot on! Thanks for all the vids, I have learned a lot from you and always find myself relating to your content. Rally looking forward to the video you referenced about pricing, even tho this is subjective. In my case, I charge a little less than most (only like $25 less) but it's deliberate to ensure that I stay working. I work on several projects daily and have been for the last few months but would love to hear what you have to say about it! Stay safe man!
Dude I love hearing this! Also, since you’re a drummer on that level… And you can record… Do you offer any remote session drum recording stuff.
I feel like a lot of people even watching this channel would be stoked to know they could have access to a real drummer who knows what they’re doing and can record on their tracks remotely.
Just a thought
@@RecordingStudioLoser Hey man, thanks for the comment back! I do but it really depends on the job. The best thing would be for anyone to reach out to me and we can talk! My email is matthewkutoloski@gmail.com my home setup is an Alesis Stike Pro SE (full acoustic to electric conversion) 6 pieces (snare, bass, and 4 toms) 5 cymbals (typically 3 crash, 1 splash/effect cymbal, 1 ride), and hats. I trigger SSD5.5 (Steven Slate Drums) and SD3 (Superior Drummer 3) in Logic Pro X. I appreciate you mentioning it and if anyone wants to shoot me an email to discuss their needs they can certainly do that. I do have a few vids on my channel of some covers I played and engineered. However, they are on my old kit (much much nicer one now) :) but the samples you can hear are the same software I am currently using! Thanks again, man! Really cool of you to even mention it.
hi! this is Ruud Reiher... from Switzerland... dude.. your words and story touched me... thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Wow, thank you
Literally on the cusp of quitting my dayjob and opening up my apartment studio. This content landed at just the right time !
...I’m in your head....
@@RecordingStudioLoser great news - now please imbue it with more recording wisdom !
Very good guy you are bro! Thanks for the advice! Greets from Greece.
I'm 19. I'm currently studying music production at community college, and in the process of applying for a course in sound production at a university.
I feel like this is what I want to do in life, and these videos are really motivating and inspiring - it's like hearing: "Yes! You CAN do this."
Thank you for that! :) Greetings from Sweden and a happy new year.
Can’t wait to hear what your take is on pricing and contracts... so many factors and different opinions out there.
FIRST! Proud of me
This topic is exactly what I'm working on. After slacking for a lot of years where I should have been trying much much harder I'm finally taking it more seriously and am taking steps to make it happen. Long hard road to go, but it needs to be done. Excellent advice here.
I’ve been audio engineering in multiple studios over the last 4-5 months your videos have been giving me way more confidence to take more of a chance on myself and step out on my own. Can’t wait to make progress🙃
That’s awesome. I’m glad I’m helping in some small way
I like you simple honesty...subscribed
Really I feel you are a nice guy...I feel like we are friends from a long time ...Bless
Kudos to you and your hard work. Where is your studio???
Economy crashed in that time frame of 2008 - 2009. I had a multi-million dollar film project deal that would set me for life, only to have the Writers Guild to go on strike (shutting down all production) and losing everything from economic crash, including my home. It's been a hard time to claw back.
Bro I can tell there was major growth with you. The positivity I respect.
Excellent advice! Enjoy the channel
Great video!! 👍🏼
So inspired by your video man. Keep it up!
Appreciate it!
I needed this.
Tx for this.. really appreciate the realness
I too have an MBA and do not want to use it…I want to do audio as a full time job…I have a job that pays me very well that needs to be replaced. I don’t have a studio, I have been freelancing FOH and have just lately gotten into theatrical mixing and I think I want to open a theater! This video was AMAZING. I am really enjoying the videos and the channel (and yes I subscribed and I’m headed over to Patreon now)…keep well.
Dude i think im in the same boat as you were in the beginning. You are really inspiring, thank you for this information.
Well said sir! We need more people with a strong positive outlook like yourself who's been there. Thanks Jeremy!
Great video! Completely agree with the files and giving copies. When I work with clients.. they have paid for everything that happens on the project up until that point, weather they continue with me or another studio. If they’ve paid, it’s their product.
nice set up
Thanks!
Excellent quality informative videos. My end goal is evtually to come of site work and turn my hobby of guitar and music into a career. You've earnt a sub 👍
Go man go!!!
👍💪💪 here we go!
Loving your content. Thanks very much
Yeah, you are right. Treat client like the best person in the world is my problem. Thanks for the clue.
Im watching your videos since around 4 months and I totally love them. But after watching most of your videos, I still couldn't get around your name. Have a great new year!!
Haha. Get around my name? Like the channels name or my name personally? Haha!
Thanks man! Great video! Great advice/words!
Glad it was helpful!
Nice one! I really like the topics of your “talking” videos.
Thanks for the great advice, looking to move out of the bedroom studio into a commercial space and all these tips are so helpful. Keep em coming!
I needed this video! Thanks RSL.
Happy to help!
"Being forced into it"? I always wonder what you mean by this.
This is some great information, across all of your videos. Thanks a ton for your work
i wan spend time with my kids cracked me up hahah respect and thanks for helping out bro
Great video! 100%agree about giving files - I do the same thing - i make sure I get paid to track - and they know they're getting quality from just that alone.
Amazing video, you provide so much knowledge and motivation, thank you for this! I subbed on both of my channels can’t wait for new vids!
Greatly instructive. Thank you.
Very welcome
If you really love what you're doing it will and it can always lead you to success. Very inspiring! :)
I see you watching me Jeremy, I see you reading my mind and making videos that are awesome!! Haha I’m excited for your video on pricing
Haha. You didn’t know I was psychic? Haha
I want it!
This is an incredibly helpful video man! I’m hoping to open my own place as a commercial outfit next year, so this was some invaluable advice!
Thank-you! 🙌🏼
Funnily enough, I also have a degree in HR and work in HR. My dream is to make this as a professional career and live well. The goal is to be able to do this maybe in 2024. Still need to move out of parents' house which due to the current situation we all live in, is more complicated than it seems. I'm focusing on starting to create a portfolio, having my work exposed out there and slowly and gradually start to create a clientele
You could almost stay "Make your hobby a Jobby!" Great info. Thanks Dude
haha I will now rhyme all of my titles.
@@RecordingStudioLoser Totally..it worked for Dr Seuss.
I feel like this should’ve been made 10 years ago... thank you!
I would have been way to young and arrogant... ahaha
or like, any time before an active pandemic?!
Thank you,I'm struggling and this really helps🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
You got this!
What he said, you got this
Just had to say I just discovered your channel this weekend it's already one of my favorites. I'm 25 now and my best friend and I are self taught and have been producing for 10 years this past October. I'm the main engineer and he's the main instrumentalist. This year we dumped 90% of our income from our day jobs into gear such that we can start a home studio / livestream venue. We've only produced one album with another EP to be released in January. I'm curious what your opinion is on how people like myself with what I'd consider "professional" skill level to aquire and sustain a decent client base in "the new normal". As a follow up I'm also curious if you thinking taking out a substantial business loan to kickstart a studio is too risky a move to make in these times. Hope you're having a great day man, and thanks for the content.
Dude that’s awesome! Congratulations on making a jump.
I think those questions are related. I definitely wouldn’t take out a loan if you’re asking how to sustain clientele. That said without knowing more specifics it’s really hard to get into the nitty-gritty.
About a loan. It least when I was starting it wasn’t even an option to get one. That said weigh out your options. I don’t really like going into debt unless I absolutely have to but that said there are a lot of really good programs if you need the gear to go through somebody like Vintage King or Sweetwater to do financing. BUT. Never spend money you don’t have.
For me, slow growth is always better and more sustainable. But there are definitely certain gear choices if you’re starting a studio that you just have to have and in that case financing might be the best option. Especially if there’s already clients coming in.
I really appreciate the response. If it's agreeable, I'd be interested in paying you for a half hour call to perhaps provide more context and get some ideas on how to move forward. We've been forging ahead with our best knowledge but sometimes one little detail can illuminate ways of thinking we hadn't considered. Thanks, again.
Do you have any tips for someone who has a day job that pays the bills, how would you recommend facilitating a move to a creative career? I'm not in a position to stop working and start recording
Being forced now , just rented a room today , I’m going I’ve been mixing at my church for 7 years, I love my job but I’m going
I think I'm the 14.000 subscriber. 🤔🙃
😮🤘
Welcome to the party
I did this in 2010 and it was the worst 7 year mistake I EVER made musically! but,, I'm in a part of Georgia where everyone and their granny is a rapper now, and a majority were damn near carbon copies of each other. Haven't had so many problems with payment and arranging payments for services since I was 15 or 16 and figuring out how to work odd jobs...
I'm assuming by giving them the files before they leave, that's under the pretense that they've paid in full already right?
Yes, like I said I won’t have a session unless it’s paid for… So in that instance I’ll give them their files. What I was referencing was even in cases where a bane has paid for the recording process there are still engineers who won’t give them the files. That’s really what I was getting at.
@@RecordingStudioLoser got it, thanks! I was pretty sure I was picking up what you were putting down, but wanted to be sure! I love you channel! Trying to make the transition to professional myself so your videos are crazy insightful!
So when you talk about giving them their files. That’s cool, can you elaborate, because if you give them the session files, they then in turn get your presets, vocal chains, the lot. Now, for someone who’s confident this won’t matter but I can see why people would be apprehensive.
Stems are a no brainier though, nobody should have a problem with that.
What’s your advice on the natural inclination to want to keep your gems to yourself. (Btw I have given session files)
I’ve never really been worried about giving away my files. Now when it comes to chains you could decide to take the plug-ins off. That’s an awfully quick action that could get rid of that. In the case could be made that they possibly don’t even have those plug-ins so why included in the session files. All that said I’m not going to give away a file where someone could replicate exactly what I’m doing without paying for it however if they want their files I’m happy to give them a blank session file of it, and sometimes during the tracking process I do put plug-ins on some thing. They normally get all that. But either way, the way I see it they’ll never be able to fully replicate what I would do so I’m not that worried about it.
@@RecordingStudioLoser firstly, thanks for taking the time to respond. Secondly, awesome advice. I’m thinking to maybe save a separate version, then commit to the plugins, that way they get the sound, but not the secret sauce. Otherwise you’re right, they can replicate without ever needing you again.
Thanks dude! 👊🏻
@@RecordingStudioLoser also, you said it was easy to remove the plugins, how would you do that quickly in pro tools? Thanks.
If you select all your tracks you want to remove. (I’m not at my computer and it’s more muscle memory than actually memory) but if you select your tracks then hold shift and command (or ctrl) then click on the plug-in instance and select no plug-in it will delete every plug-in that same slot across all selected tracks.
@@RecordingStudioLoser thanks man appreciate it. Appreciate you explaining the whole studio business side of it too. You can be the best engineer but not now how to price, whether it’s by hour, project etc. So, thanks.
You missed the opportunity for “Hobby to Jobby”
You are the second person to say that is there some reference that I’m missing besides a dope rhyme?
@@RecordingStudioLoser nope! That's it haha. Great video man!
Hard for me is finding customers. Really, can't even ask low rates, since no one wants me to work for them. I don't even have a bad history of mixed music since some of them went to some important indipendent labels here in italy. Just thinking moving to canada
Have you checked in with clients you've worked with in the past to try to get feedback? Sometimes they can tell you things could improve that maybe you don't even notice?
Done. Work's cool and fun to do with me it seems. Problem is Italian market and people's expectations. I'll try focusing on my music for now. I'll let it speak for my skills. Maybe I'll do some playthrough or live streams
Perhaps your prices are too low then.
@@scacchomattho dont limit yourself to your local market, the internet lets you work with people all over the world
Trying. Any suggestion on how to reach potential clients beside fiverr?
did you lease your studio, and hire engineers?
I own it. And am the main engineer and producer. Others work in here with their own projects and pay to use the space.
@@RecordingStudioLoser I’ve got about 10K and don’t even know where to start. I’m still learning pro tools
Are you looking to start your own space, is there a possibility for you to join up with somebody in your area? At least as a jumping off point?