Wow i'm just working for free right now in some mixes. Coincidentally this video was uploaded today as reminder to never do that again. Thank you Maserati.
Great finally said this! I always thought it was ridiculous when someone advised young engineers to work for free to build connections - the only connections one can make that way is with people who will keep asking said mixer to keep working for free. NO ONE SHOULD EVER WORK FOR FREE.
I've heard similar ideas (beginners working for free). The only worthwhile concept I've heard like this was: If you have no client base, offer a band 3 hours of recording time (one song) with an agreed dollar amount for a final mix. If they like the mix, they pay you before they walk out the door with it. If not, you probably still need to brush up on your skills. Part of the agreement is you can use the mix as an example of your work. This still puts you on the hook for potentially a full day of work with no pay. But if you have absolutely zero clients and are just learning, I think it's a worthwhile investment. You get to hone your mic placement and mixing skills, learn how to deal with a whole band in your studio, etc. But otherwise, I'm in total agreement. Your time is worth money, as long as you can deliver a reasonable product for your studio's price bracket/client base
Now a days I am in that place where every mainstream artist expect work for free , thanx this video gave me more confidence . Never work free , if you work free make sure you are gonna take the royality from the earnings of song u produced .
many professionals learned many things by working for free. it's never really free because you always gain something. but in business, it's always wise to give something that is not paid for. it's finding a balance that makes the difference between truly wise people, and outspoken people, who are paid for their words.
Yes, there are royalties, but not from some no named, faceless, dickheef that's just trying to get you to do their album for free. Royalties.. Hahaha! Nothing from nothing leaves nothing.
I am going to join in on the festivities here and say Tony's advice is 110% correct. His bit about enhancing a client's value without any compemsation is enough to end the conversation right then and there. Do not work for free. There is nothing that comes from it. Even if "the publicity" is the tradeoff. If you work for free it should be in a charitable capacity because you are helping someone in need. Not a client who claims to be in need because their budget is too low. Pass it up and move on to the next paying opportunity.
So, a big big subject. Long hours I spent discussing this one...rarely people agreed with me for being so inflexible about it. Great to hear a pro being so sensitive and in my mind a very mature position.
Damn its so sad that even Tony Maserati recognizes the little value that people and the industry gives to engineers, it really makes me sad, cause they are seriously and without a doubt an essential part of music, I wish more people could understand / "see" sound like these guys do, so that way maybe there would be more recognition to them.
I think this happens often as an audio student I can say I'm familiar to this, I think you are bringing value to whoever you are working for and that should be appreciate it
I saw him at MixCon and he is one of the wisest people I’ve ever meet and seen speaking about this topic and mixing in general. Live long and prosper Tony Maserati!
I’ve always been a huge fan of his mixes. Watching this, I’m also now just a fan of him. I’ve worked in music professionally most of my adult life, and I have the deepest respect and admiration for mix engineers. They are the unsung artists behind the hits. It is a very real craft and art, it’s power is transformative
Love this video and love the fact that Tony puts a tangible value on his time even if an artist or artist's manager does not. Stand your ground Tony! I know you will
Agree... Working for gratis when you're trying to be established doesn't increase your value... It would be better to get paid by an indie band at a "what they can afford" price is better than fawning over someone who's starting to move the dial or has made it... Learn basic contracts and to learn how to politely and gently to tell people to love it or shove it... as Tony said... doesn't have to be heavy... but let people know you know your own value.... Now, giving someone extra time when you're being paid on the clock... that depends whether it's Union and who your giving a few minutes extra to... I paid someone to teach me how to use music software and each time he came over he gave me extra time... If I was to expand my studio he would enter my mind first and to be paid full price... Because it wasn't just about the money and the clock... It was about the mentorship and making sure I had it down and was getting the basic principles down. This individual got a lot of word of mouth advertising because he respected what you were trying to do... This issue comes up in Churches where people sometimes think that musicianship is easy or supernatural and that you should just donate your time... At least offer to pay for strings and an annual setup on your main guitar and also to pay the musicians something... lots of times they expect professional musicians to play for free... If people are doing charts and things like that the should definitely get paid....
Wise words coming from wise man. If you start doing stuff for free people will lose respect for you and see you as less valuable. Know your worth, you're no bitch to work just to get a compliment "hey man, good job". Just because your output isn't materialized it doesn't mean you didn't put a lot of heart and effort in it. Cheers
Working for free devalues your craft. But, if you are starting out and aren't feeling comfortable charging people you can use it to your advantage. There are no strings attached, if you can't pull it off you can just back out and go back to refining your craft. As soon as you feel you have something to offer NEVER work for free! Looking back, I worked for free for a year and it gained me so much knowledge that makes it worth it. Nowadays I value my skills and gear, nothing comes free now.
I understand what he says and most of the comments here agree that no one should work for free. However, there are those of us who are beginners and still learning, and still have no value to bring to any artist. The value is for us because we are getting experience. And learn from mixing other people's music. I think that is what other professionals recommend. Once you are good enough and make a name for yourself, then I understand your time becomes valuable.
When you work with experienced people then its maybe ok to do free work but not if you work with other mediocre ppl than theres a waste of time just to clarify.
Great advice, Tony has a clear perspective on this and he's absolutely correct.... there should always be a 'deal' of some kind between either party so that you both benefit, otherwise it's slave labour and you 'will' be taken advantage of, unfortunately, there are many young people especially being exploited in this business in the name of getting experience or a 'break'..... this simply has to stop if we stand a chance of raising the standards for the future of the audio industry.
This needed to be said. I've cut off business relationships because doing business with them ended up costing me money. You get a phone call from them later on and get that sick feeling like you know what their going to ask you before you even hear their voice. Lol.
A-fucking-men to this guy. I hear this ALL the time from friends in this industry who re ALWAYS getting taken advantage of. Yeah sometimes you gotta bite the bullet but this guys is right; there should be a fair trade or deal made for your time.
Damn...So true...! This "Working For Free" situation happens a lot here in Taiwan!! Especially, young people whom still studying in college. Some people might don't respect professional skills but just social experiences or degrees Even lots of teachers are thinking about that it doesn't matter whether you should work for free or not, because you learn things from those "Free Projects"
It also happens in Portugal, my mom and dad did free work around here, I dont, the moment people dont wanna pay I just dip on doing anything. The worst part is that many can try to guilt trip you into doing it on pity but I know better.
Something that makes me said is the truth that the music as art form has devalue as Tony said, I really don´t know why most of the people want music for free; our time is the must valueble possession (every second of our life is unique and when is given never comes back), second only for our knowledge, how can it be given for free! Totally agree with what been said.
I always say "how could you expect for someone to invest in you if you're not even willing to invest in yourself". To not want to pay someone for their services because they're gonna get paid before you see a dime is a prime example of why you should not be in the music industry. The best thing about having a studio now-a-days is that things are more affordable and not so far out of reach but remember that what you're trying to accomplish whether you're an Artist, Song Writer, Producer, etc. took a team of people to do and last I remember life does not stop because you want make music. Remember, paying eases off some of the load of taking on to much.
A lot musicians struggle these days doing boring sidejobs and waste their talent and energy...I critical hope for a better world for artistic people doing a craft and still practise that craft for growing and helping others...Its about giving and receiving and the balance is....gone...
I'm in that position right now, where i dont have the energy, when i lef my work, to do my stuff.. I'm planing to quit, but at the same time i need to keep living "properly" .. so.. its a continuous struggle..
I usually do 1 free song with a band. I work with young bands who don't have money and they aren't exactly sure what their money is going towards. I think if you are able to build a healthy relationship with the artist then it is worth it to start off this way. I've only had one band ever decline the free song because they couldn't play/record it lol. All of the 1 song bands have returned and are permanent paying clients. I don't think showing them the ropes of what goes on is a bad thing paid or not. I play in a band too and understand that sometimes engineering/producing costs can be pricey but it's all worth it, hence why I started my own studio to do my own recordings and whatnot. This is a great video. It got me thinking!
My firs t project I didn’t know what to charge. I ended up doing so much work on that album for so long, that I really kicked myself for not charging more. Looking back at it I was grossly underpaid for the work and the quality. But I also didn’t have much of a body of work behind me. I also gave a band final mixes and master as a favor to them, plus it was there a bass player’s 21st birthday and I thought that would be kind of a cool gift. In hindsight that was a bad idea because I still haven’t gotten the rest of my payment, but at the time I trusted them. I’ve learned from my mistakes though and that will never ever happen again. “If you are good at something, never do it for free”
@@devianthousend no, that’s exactly how it works. Engineers are paid how much they are paid just because there are always some dudes who are willing to do it for cheaper out of desperation. It fucks up the market
Back when I was gigging, our band was inundated for requests to play "benefits". Translation: play for free. We did play fundraisers for friends who fell on hard times (health issues, death-of-a-spouse). We played a biker-bar one time - and a biker came up between sets. He asked if we'd play a benefit. I asked what the benefit was for. He said "For us." Lol !!!! Hard pass. When you're at a level where people demand your services, you've probably invested thousands of hours and tens-of-thousands of dollars in reaching that level. That is worth renumeration. Great vid.
Full video available exclusively on mwtm.org/tm_working_for_free
this is probably one of the best videos I've ever seen in 2017.
you must have not seen the video of the cat speaking french
you should watch more videos guy
Wow i'm just working for free right now in some mixes. Coincidentally this video was uploaded today as reminder to never do that again. Thank you Maserati.
Your time is VALUABLE people. You decide the value it deserves. Well said Tony Mas!
Great finally said this! I always thought it was ridiculous when someone advised young engineers to work for free to build connections - the only connections one can make that way is with people who will keep asking said mixer to keep working for free. NO ONE SHOULD EVER WORK FOR FREE.
I've heard similar ideas (beginners working for free). The only worthwhile concept I've heard like this was: If you have no client base, offer a band 3 hours of recording time (one song) with an agreed dollar amount for a final mix. If they like the mix, they pay you before they walk out the door with it. If not, you probably still need to brush up on your skills. Part of the agreement is you can use the mix as an example of your work.
This still puts you on the hook for potentially a full day of work with no pay. But if you have absolutely zero clients and are just learning, I think it's a worthwhile investment. You get to hone your mic placement and mixing skills, learn how to deal with a whole band in your studio, etc.
But otherwise, I'm in total agreement. Your time is worth money, as long as you can deliver a reasonable product for your studio's price bracket/client base
Now a days I am in that place where every mainstream artist expect work for free , thanx this video gave me more confidence . Never work free , if you work free make sure you are gonna take the royality from the earnings of song u produced .
many professionals learned many things by working for free. it's never really free because you always gain something. but in business, it's always wise to give something that is not paid for. it's finding a balance that makes the difference between truly wise people, and outspoken people, who are paid for their words.
Royalties? Hahaha! What royalties?
You don't think there are royalties anymore? There are plenty of people, specially song writers, living a good life out of royalties and nothing more.
Yes, there are royalties, but not from some no named, faceless, dickheef that's just trying to get you to do their album for free. Royalties.. Hahaha! Nothing from nothing leaves nothing.
I would rather be paid an hourly rate then relying on royalties from someone that might not ever be signed.
Your Mixes are FANTASTIC!!!
You are in the highest possible level as a mix engineer.
Free Mix?!!!
word up! i found myself mixing an ep for free recently because i liked the guy...this video makes me reconsider these things. thank you!
Thank you Tony, I wish I could play this to all my customer
Upside Down me too
Dear Mr. Maserati, you are wise and inspiring. Wish all the young producers/artist would watch this. The entire music industry would benefit from it.
I am going to join in on the festivities here and say Tony's advice is 110% correct. His bit about enhancing a client's value without any compemsation is enough to end the conversation right then and there. Do not work for free. There is nothing that comes from it. Even if "the publicity" is the tradeoff. If you work for free it should be in a charitable capacity because you are helping someone in need. Not a client who claims to be in need because their budget is too low. Pass it up and move on to the next paying opportunity.
So, a big big subject. Long hours I spent discussing this one...rarely people agreed with me for being so inflexible about it. Great to hear a pro being so sensitive and in my mind a very mature position.
Damn its so sad that even Tony Maserati recognizes the little value that people and the industry gives to engineers, it really makes me sad, cause they are seriously and without a doubt an essential part of music, I wish more people could understand / "see" sound like these guys do, so that way maybe there would be more recognition to them.
Extremely well said and applies to every facet of life. Ultimately it's up to you to look out for your best interests, make sure you do.
Great lesson by Tony. I guess every one working in entertainment industry should watch thiis.
Timeless, Priceless Invaluable information. *This is GOLD.*
I think this happens often as an audio student I can say I'm familiar to this, I think you are bringing value to whoever you are working for and that should be appreciate it
I saw him at MixCon and he is one of the wisest people I’ve ever meet and seen speaking about this topic and mixing in general. Live long and prosper Tony Maserati!
this is a godsend, at last someone talking sense.
It’s this attitude and self respect that will keep the music industry breathing.
I’ve always been a huge fan of his mixes. Watching this, I’m also now just a fan of him. I’ve worked in music professionally most of my adult life, and I have the deepest respect and admiration for mix engineers. They are the unsung artists behind the hits. It is a very real craft and art, it’s power is transformative
Fantastic to hear - well done, Mr. Maserati! Top advice for all people in virtually all career paths.
This is my favorite Tony Maserati tutorial...
Love this video and love the fact that Tony puts a tangible value on his time even if an artist or artist's manager does not. Stand your ground Tony! I know you will
Clooney Maserati
Exit Paradise hahahah
HS, I thought I was the only one that thought that. LMAO! It's the eyebrows and that famous head-tilt right?
If you mixed him with Jeff Bezos
best words ever..... never!
Agree... Working for gratis when you're trying to be established doesn't increase your value... It would be better to get paid by an indie band at a "what they can afford" price is better than fawning over someone who's starting to move the dial or has made it... Learn basic contracts and to learn how to politely and gently to tell people to love it or shove it... as Tony said... doesn't have to be heavy... but let people know you know your own value.... Now, giving someone extra time when you're being paid on the clock... that depends whether it's Union and who your giving a few minutes extra to... I paid someone to teach me how to use music software and each time he came over he gave me extra time... If I was to expand my studio he would enter my mind first and to be paid full price... Because it wasn't just about the money and the clock... It was about the mentorship and making sure I had it down and was getting the basic principles down. This individual got a lot of word of mouth advertising because he respected what you were trying to do...
This issue comes up in Churches where people sometimes think that musicianship is easy or supernatural and that you should just donate your time... At least offer to pay for strings and an annual setup on your main guitar and also to pay the musicians something... lots of times they expect professional musicians to play for free... If people are doing charts and things like that the should definitely get paid....
Wise words coming from wise man. If you start doing stuff for free people will lose respect for you and see you as less valuable. Know your worth, you're no bitch to work just to get a compliment "hey man, good job". Just because your output isn't materialized it doesn't mean you didn't put a lot of heart and effort in it. Cheers
Exactly I keep telling this to my family, now we are starting to get a bit better.
So true, and not only for music
Smart businessman!
This brother preaching truth!
This Message is priceless... thanks 🙏
Great advise Tony. Exactly my thoughts.
Thanks
Thanks Tony. Nicely said
"I can answer that.. For money!''
Very well said sir. My favorite since the 90's.
I’m gonna show this video to every single artist that comes into my studio
I agree with him, but payment can also be experience and bragging rights that you can use to get more/better work later.
I am going to purchase all the waves Maserati plugs because of this video. I like this guy. Great advice.
Delon Lawrence waste of money
There are a few good ones.
Working for free devalues your craft. But, if you are starting out and aren't feeling comfortable charging people you can use it to your advantage. There are no strings attached, if you can't pull it off you can just back out and go back to refining your craft. As soon as you feel you have something to offer NEVER work for free! Looking back, I worked for free for a year and it gained me so much knowledge that makes it worth it. Nowadays I value my skills and gear, nothing comes free now.
I understand what he says and most of the comments here agree that no one should work for free. However, there are those of us who are beginners and still learning, and still have no value to bring to any artist. The value is for us because we are getting experience. And learn from mixing other people's music. I think that is what other professionals recommend. Once you are good enough and make a name for yourself, then I understand your time becomes valuable.
When you work with experienced people then its maybe ok to do free work but not if you work with other mediocre ppl than theres a waste of time just to clarify.
Thanks for the advice. Will definitely impact my work.
Bravo Tony!!
Tony Maserati . Well said !
❤Tony you opened my eyes man! ive been waiting for this video❤
Great advice, Tony has a clear perspective on this and he's absolutely correct.... there should always be a 'deal' of some kind between either party so that you both benefit, otherwise it's slave labour and you 'will' be taken advantage of, unfortunately, there are many young people especially being exploited in this business in the name of getting experience or a 'break'..... this simply has to stop if we stand a chance of raising the standards for the future of the audio industry.
Thank you Tony... and thanks for the Clip guys..
This needed to be said. I've cut off business relationships because doing business with them ended up costing me money. You get a phone call from them later on and get that sick feeling like you know what their going to ask you before you even hear their voice. Lol.
Francis Bawasanta Yep. I’ve had that feeling. I don’t even answer the phone when they call anymore
Francis Bawasanta, sounds like watching a Constantine Movie, you know whoever runs into him is so gonna ask him to do something.
i wish i could give a million likes as appreciation for this advice.. thank you so much Tony!
Amazing advice 👌 totally agree too
Really helpful advice! Thank you Tony!
Wow simply amazing, thanks much for this valuable advice, just love your work.
yes you're right
Great video. Well said.. Thank you Mr. Maserati.. Mix with the Masters should release more Real videos like this.
Really sensible and true !
wise words - thank you!
A-fucking-men to this guy. I hear this ALL the time from friends in this industry who re ALWAYS getting taken advantage of. Yeah sometimes you gotta bite the bullet but this guys is right; there should be a fair trade or deal made for your time.
Damn...So true...!
This "Working For Free" situation happens a lot here in Taiwan!!
Especially, young people whom still studying in college.
Some people might don't respect professional skills but just social experiences or degrees
Even lots of teachers are thinking about that it doesn't matter whether you should work for free or not, because you learn things from those "Free Projects"
It also happens in Portugal, my mom and dad did free work around here, I dont, the moment people dont wanna pay I just dip on doing anything. The worst part is that many can try to guilt trip you into doing it on pity but I know better.
Every word is true completely, this video make my vision storng and clear.
I agree with you.. it keeps the code of ethics with in the industry
Something that makes me said is the truth that the music as art form has devalue as Tony said, I really don´t know why most of the people want music for free; our time is the must valueble possession (every second of our life is unique and when is given never comes back), second only for our knowledge, how can it be given for free! Totally agree with what been said.
Andrew Scherps: "There's a very fine line."
Tony Maserati: "I would never!"
I agree with both, though...
I always say "how could you expect for someone to invest in you if you're not even willing to invest in yourself". To not want to pay someone for their services because they're gonna get paid before you see a dime is a prime example of why you should not be in the music industry.
The best thing about having a studio now-a-days is that things are more affordable and not so far out of reach but remember that what you're trying to accomplish whether you're an Artist, Song Writer, Producer, etc. took a team of people to do and last I remember life does not stop because you want make music. Remember, paying eases off some of the load of taking on to much.
Great video and trully powerfull advices. Thank you Tony!
I keep thinking I shouldn't like Maserati. I'm not a fan of any of the artists he produces. The truth is, I cried. Respect is due.
A lot musicians struggle these days doing boring sidejobs and waste their talent and energy...I critical hope for a better world for artistic people doing a craft and still practise that craft for growing and helping others...Its about giving and receiving and the balance is....gone...
I agree Karlos...!! ;) Lets make the best of it....
I'm in that position right now, where i dont have the energy, when i lef my work, to do my stuff.. I'm planing to quit, but at the same time i need to keep living "properly" .. so.. its a continuous struggle..
Damn I accidentally clicked this without reading the title and it really hit home.
I usually do 1 free song with a band. I work with young bands who don't have money and they aren't exactly sure what their money is going towards. I think if you are able to build a healthy relationship with the artist then it is worth it to start off this way. I've only had one band ever decline the free song because they couldn't play/record it lol. All of the 1 song bands have returned and are permanent paying clients. I don't think showing them the ropes of what goes on is a bad thing paid or not. I play in a band too and understand that sometimes engineering/producing costs can be pricey but it's all worth it, hence why I started my own studio to do my own recordings and whatnot. This is a great video. It got me thinking!
no one has said it better...thanks Tony
Best advice i have ever heard thank you sir.
Wise words.
So appreciative of this wisdom 🙏
This guy is the best! 🙏🏾
I still get contacted by music artists to provide free music services or instrumentals for them. I stopped doing that many years ago.
How genuine he is....
Speaks like a guru, looks like George Clooney, mix like a mofo. That's Maserati for you guys.
He even builds cars on the side ;) j/k
Great words of wisdom
Thanks Tony, what a dude!
I love his series plugins by waves.
i wanna cry
Well said - our art from should be recognised as a legitimate service that requires payment, whatever the level...!
My firs t project I didn’t know what to charge. I ended up doing so much work on that album for so long, that I really kicked myself for not charging more. Looking back at it I was grossly underpaid for the work and the quality. But I also didn’t have much of a body of work behind me. I also gave a band final mixes and master as a favor to them, plus it was there a bass player’s 21st birthday and I thought that would be kind of a cool gift. In hindsight that was a bad idea because I still haven’t gotten the rest of my payment, but at the time I trusted them. I’ve learned from my mistakes though and that will never ever happen again.
“If you are good at something, never do it for free”
Wise words!!!
Intro is on point!😂 Great video. ❤
This advice is so much more important than any "how to use gear" konowledge...
Why is this video being disliked?? Perhaps they're musicians who believe everything should be given to them
Thanks Tony, I agree with you 100%
😭😭😭😭 Iloveyou Tony Maserati you saved my life
Beautiful !
Fantastic lesson. I worked for free (just because) when I was young. Stupid. Make a deal....something. This is a great video.
wow Amazing advice thanks...
ahhh finally...this video just made my day
This is the best thing in the ever!
If I could like this more than once, I would.
"the music itself has been devalued" its depressing :(
Thats what happens when you work for free, you devalue the genre
@@devianthousend no, that’s exactly how it works. Engineers are paid how much they are paid just because there are always some dudes who are willing to do it for cheaper out of desperation. It fucks up the market
Welp thanks for telling me exactly what I wanted to hear!
Such a discourse from this master!
Back when I was gigging, our band was inundated for requests to play "benefits". Translation: play for free. We did play fundraisers for friends who fell on hard times (health issues, death-of-a-spouse).
We played a biker-bar one time - and a biker came up between sets. He asked if we'd play a benefit. I asked what the benefit was for. He said "For us." Lol !!!! Hard pass.
When you're at a level where people demand your services, you've probably invested thousands of hours and tens-of-thousands of dollars in reaching that level. That is worth renumeration. Great vid.
outstanding!!!
I totally agree!