Quote:
Originally posted by slipperman
This, of course, is DESTROYING the up-market NYC rooms and will eventually be the death of the 'sound hotel' biz in NYC.
At least, as we have come to know it.
In addition to this phenomenon>
In a mad, gear buying, loft renting scramble... many NYC based audio professionals have rather belatedly decided to attempt to start "Cult of Personality Shops" all over the metro area in the past 2 years or so.
Certainly, IMHO, the vast majority will fail.
And their failures will be so catastrophic, that most will simply 'cease to be' as creative entities in the craft. These guys are second mortgaging homes, selling planes(not kidding), taking monstrous personal loans.... Etc. Etc.
Here is what they are going to find out:
What it takes to assume both the mantle of studio ownership AND the creative burdens of professional AE/RP work is a MUCH, MUCH greater burden than many folks might suspect.
ESPECIALLY, if the expectation is that FULL SERVICE(even remotely mimicking the efforts afforded by/expectations of, the 'A line' sound hotels) will be provided at an 'affordable' price point.
Wait till yer first $2500 monthly utility bill rolls in.
Wait till ya find out the clients can EASILY drink $500/month in coffee and spring water(Uhmmm... That's $6,000 a year... so it's basically "Their coffee" or "Your Vacation"... Choose wisely).
Wait till ya find out how much it's going to cost to get that annoying 'shortwave radio stylee' chatter out of the headphone feeds.
Wait till ya gotta deal with the 'Fire inspection' guys...
The "You guys are making too much noise" guys...
The "I twisted my ankle in the parking lot and it's your fault' guys.....
Wait till the first QUARTERLY insurance deposit is due.
Just letting ya know....
That's all.
Tip of the iceberg baby.
Tip of the iceberg.
As someone heading into almost 2 decades of doing EXACTLY that, in this area.... I feel modestly qualified/compelled to express my opinions on the subject.
In regards to Kevin's original rant.
These type of conditions(some illustrated in Kevin's missive) are the reason so many individuals are attempting to find 'streamlined' approaches to record making. Including ITB mixing, 'Project studio' ownership, desktop mastering.... and so forth.
It's all about the almighty dollar, and "living to see another day". Much more than a question of sonics or the betterment of record production...
Even for the folks who have real 'marquee' pull.
For.... As we all know...
That 'marquee value' and 50 cents will get you a hot cocoa in our "What have you done for me in the last 15 minutes" business.
Just a thought.
Best regards to all.
SM.
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Well Slip,
I hate to say it but some of the soundmotels have it coming to them after years of gouging the labels.
The days of the $50 CD/DAT,$20 cassetes and $1k phone bills are over.
I know, their rationale was don't charge them tax, but make it up on the amenities.
Problem was that alot of them were including tax as part of the rate.
I think in order to survive into the next music wave the sound motels here in the city will have to make (3) sweeping changes-
1)Stop hiring people that don't really belong at a studio and start promoting from with in.
I think the talent evaluations of personnel has gone down the tubes.
When i first started in the mid 80's you had to bust your balls to prove yourself. And not just anyone was hired. Also your tenure at a studio was really short if you didn't show talent or improvement. I think there are personally too many guys who either went to school or worked at some home studios and don't have an idea of what working at a studio is really about.
I think its time to up the ante.
3 months and if you don't show something as Trump would say"Your fired".
With the guys that are kept, start developing and promoting within.
Lets face it, all of the soundmotels are designed by most of the same guys, with the same gear in the rooms.
All provide amenities and kickbacks to the clients.
The only way now to set yourself apart is with the personnel.
Develop and support the best engineers from within.
I can't think of one professional engineer(except the cream of the crop) who would not like a steady stream of work. Also how about providing insurance? When you are married(which i am not mind you) this is a big deal.
I think where things went wrong was back in the late 80's ealy 90's one particular sound motel(which is doing horrible) thought by throwing money at all the best engineers in town and creating this large freelance/everyman for himself enviroment would benefit them.
Of course it did and they became the #1 place in town.
Now they are reaping what they sowed.
There is no LOYALTY.
And when they are doing bad everyone is going to the place down the block.
Because the people there are independent from their parent record label and now they run the place like it was their last day.
2) Hire compentent management and booking agents.
The booking managers here in town think they are as big as the artists sometimes.
They don't return your phone calls unless you are a major project.
They try to stiff arm you into taking the worst rates at the worst times.
They bump you if a major all of a sudden needs your spot.
One particular soundmotel won't even let you go in to speak to a receptionist. They have the gaull to have a security guard tell you so.
This to me its a joke especially if the entrance receptionist is just 3 ft away from you behind a booth.
The music business,artists and major studios have created such a chasm with the public that if they don't try soon to get it mended, it will be too late.
3) Try now to buy your real estate.
If you are on a lease than you are on the clock.
Your place will not stand.
Its impossible here in the city where real estate is at a premium.
I know for some it will be costly(in the millions), but i feel its the best investment you can make especially if you plan on keeping it and maybe passing it to your kids.
Even though things seem bleak right now, 2 new places i can think of are doing rather well.
One is in your neck of the woods i think Slip(Bennet Studios which is run by Tony B.'s son).
The other is a new place in Harlem(Ornette Coleman's place).