Quote:
Originally Posted by six_wax  Here's a rough breakdown of typical rates out here:
Top Flite Guys: $3-5k/track
Other Guys, Major Label Client: $1-3k/track
Indie Labels: $250-$1k/track |
This is a good list!
I have read a few post which say that 1 guy can engineer a record from top to bottom, which is true.
Take this into consideration:
One of my mentors (a top flight guy) was brought in to mix "Men In Black" by Will Smith. When he first listened to the tracking, the chorus was not really good and the record "production" didn't spell out "arraignment".
He called in a singer he knew, changed the drums a bit and arranged the record to what won the Grammy.
While telling me this story, I was taught that it is the mixing engineer's job to deliver the best record possible to the label. Whatever has to be done to fix the record from replacing drum sounds, arrangement of the song, even to cutting additional vocals if need be, whatever you do, finnish the record and provide alternative mixes to choose from (and keep all parties happy).
Top flight guys have the reputation to command big prices because they work on a level of a record director after initial production.
The 1k-3k guys will provide major label sound, but will likely not push any boundaries unless they are ballsy and will one day be a top flight guy.
The $250 - $1k engineer is likely also a recording engineer and will work up demand until he can get more $$$ based on a resume with some hits on it.
Just my take.