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davemc · 9th May 2003

Seriously if you are going for band work the gear in the end does not make the final choice.
5 years ago I was charging AUD$30/hr for a Tascam M3500, VST studio running on rogers clone speakers and one LD mic.
Now I have spent over AUD$120k in upgrades and have a HD3 192/96io system loaded with plugs, a Control24, Soundelux U99, Royer Sf12, lots of mics, 11 ex pres (API,Calrec,buzz,isa430,1969), a fatso some nice quested monitors...I struggle to get over AUD$40-$45/hr.
I upgraded the gear faster then the clientelle, so I am stuck in the middle to expensive for teh small bands, not enough cred for the mid-larger ones..I have always struggled to push out of the weekender only crowd, probably a lot to do with my bad sales technqiue..

As most bands ask price first and who you recorded second.. They might of heard of pro tools but a 001 system is still pro tools and as they are not gearsluts they really know nothing.

I never upgraded the room seriously, I have done some acoustic treatment myself sort of hit and miss. I did the gear first as the rooms maybe do not look the best but sound ok.
Bands are after that wow factor, so I might have to pop $25k+ into doing out the rooms... Although where I am I am renting and the landlord is baulking at doing a new 10 year lease. So I will have to go elsewhere and buy or rent or stay where I am

Although at the end it comes back to your marketing.
Which i am crap at....
A friend of mine interstate runs a 001 studio with a 02r and he is booked out constant. He picks and chooses his bands as he is at a level to do so.. He has a great ear and produces nice work..

9th May 2003	#11
davemc Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Melb, Australia Posts: 1,021	Seriously if you are going for band work the gear in the end does not make the final choice. 5 years ago I was charging AUD$30/hr for a Tascam M3500, VST studio running on rogers clone speakers and one LD mic. Now I have spent over AUD$120k in upgrades and have a HD3 192/96io system loaded with plugs, a Control24, Soundelux U99, Royer Sf12, lots of mics, 11 ex pres (API,Calrec,buzz,isa430,1969), a fatso some nice quested monitors...I struggle to get over AUD$40-$45/hr. I upgraded the gear faster then the clientelle, so I am stuck in the middle to expensive for teh small bands, not enough cred for the mid-larger ones..I have always struggled to push out of the weekender only crowd, probably a lot to do with my bad sales technqiue.. As most bands ask price first and who you recorded second.. They might of heard of pro tools but a 001 system is still pro tools and as they are not gearsluts they really know nothing. I never upgraded the room seriously, I have done some acoustic treatment myself sort of hit and miss. I did the gear first as the rooms maybe do not look the best but sound ok. Bands are after that wow factor, so I might have to pop $25k+ into doing out the rooms... Although where I am I am renting and the landlord is baulking at doing a new 10 year lease. So I will have to go elsewhere and buy or rent or stay where I am Although at the end it comes back to your marketing. Which i am crap at.... A friend of mine interstate runs a 001 studio with a 02r and he is booked out constant. He picks and chooses his bands as he is at a level to do so.. He has a great ear and produces nice work.. __________________ Bye Ya Dave INDENT