Got my first runner job....advice from veterans?

[troublejr]

So I start my first job as a runner at a decent studio here in town.

I've taken some good pointers from this thread (http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...ghlight=intern) along with some good insight on studio ethics.

Anyone have anything else to add?

Also, anyone have any good advice on what I should study up on before starting (pertaining to engineering, not toilets and/or windex)?

Thanks

T

[Eric Greedy]

be invisible.kick ass. be invisible.do better than everyone else around you. be invisible. always. learn everything. be invisible. think of any and everyway possible to make things better for the assistants on up. be invisible.

[Jan Folkson]

Lots of listening.
Not so much talking.
Don't ask questions in front of clients.
Be personable.
Be punctual.
Don't take stuff personally, some people get really stressed during sessions.

Oh, and in case Eric was too subtle...BE INVISIBLE!

[JHOOKS]

i agree with these two statements! be invisible but you make your self known. what i mean is that dont bad mouth nothing or the clients, but if you can get in a studio on the off times, do it! learn the gear, learn the boards, learn the studio. giving that its ok with the boss. and never talk to much, just do your job, there are going to be times when it seems like your wasting your time, but just fight through it! it will pay off in the long run, you have to give before you get!

[Ol' Betsey]

In YOUR 'down' time, meaning when your having a quick cuppa coffee etc, read manuals (My favoured reading material was the SSL, Lex, Eventide and Akai manuals, fun....) and in the studio's down time get familiar with your desks patch bay.

Then when you get a chance at 'hands-on' down time (could be a month, could be 6 months...) your SLIGHTLY ahead of the game.

It's not for everyone but... I actually had a cheapy-demo 2" master of my band at the time that was recorded at another studio and I would put that up and mess about with automation, different effect patches, etc.

It was always easier, after you've zero-ed everything in preparation for a new session/project, to a get your hands on a desk for a few hours instead of asking if you can bring a whole band in on the weekend.

OH... And in these early days? BE INVISIBLE!

R.

[bpatural]

get really fast at protools (and be able to tech it), it's probably the best way to get in on sessions instead of getting coffee.
-brian

[troublejr]

thanks everyone. i appreciate it.

t

[troublejr]

Originally Posted by Ol' Betsey

In YOUR 'down' time, meaning when your having a quick cuppa coffee etc, read manuals (My favoured reading material was the SSL, Lex, Eventide and Akai manuals, fun....) and in the studio's down time get familiar with your desks patch bay.

Then when you get a chance at 'hands-on' down time (could be a month, could be 6 months...) your SLIGHTLY ahead of the game.

It's not for everyone but... I actually had a cheapy-demo 2" master of my band at the time that was recorded at another studio and I would put that up and mess about with automation, different effect patches, etc.

It was always easier, after you've zero-ed everything in preparation for a new session/project, to a get your hands on a desk for a few hours instead of asking if you can bring a whole band in on the weekend.

OH... And in these early days? BE INVISIBLE!

R.

Can you or someone point me to a good article, thread, or help me out with the difference between open, half-normaled, normaled, and parallel patch bays?

Thanks again.

T

PS I will be invisible, but noticed!

[Ol' Betsey]

Heya Trouble,

I'll leave you to figuring out normaled, half normaled etc (don't worry, just Google it and you'll understand enough to get you started.)

But what I really meant was get you head around the STUDIO'S patchbay.

Figure out what's there, what's where and not just the desk/equipment but also all the tie-lines throughout the live room, control room, overdub booths etc.

Somebody wants this over here, going through that over there, coming up here while he's sittin' on the can cuz that's where he's most inspired...

You start pullin' that stuff off quickly and SILENTLY and you'll get noticed.

But first thing to remember... YOUR JUST A RUNNER right now.

Bide your time, learn your lessons and impress when you get the chance.

Good luck.

Oh... And can I have a slice a pizza with extra tuna and black olives, a coke and Magum?

Take it easy buddy,

R.

[Steve G]

Get to know the asst engineers. They are the ones that are going to help you the most. Don't worry about what the engineer is doing at the console, watch what the asst engineer is doing. He's got the job you want next. Keep your eyes open and just learn. If you have questions, wait until the session is done and ask the asst. Good Luck

Steve

[s.d.finley]

Originally Posted by Steve G

Get to know the asst engineers. If you have questions, wait until the session is done and ask the asst. Good Luck

Steve

Steve is so on the money....especially the last part, ask only when all is done and client is gone!!

rock

sdf

[mjlaudio]

First Off Congrats heres to a short running assignment and a long career


I always have my interns go through the cable closets and rewrap and organize on their first day. Its what I did and I find that it helps. Invariably some one needs some weird cable and now you will know exactly where it is, and when this happens dont make a big deal about how you saved the day to the client, or engineer. Work on winning over assistants first.

So Far I have had 3 1 day interns this year(meaning I told them not to come back)

1st one: Handed his bands demo to artist as they walked in for the first time!!!!

2nd one: turned knobs on amp when he decided he didnt like the tone, couldnt complete taking lunch order let alone straighten out money. Told bassist "Man I just love your bass I couldnt put it down!" after playing instrument with out asking for permission. fuuck

3rd one: Told artist "I think that solo is just fine!" without being asked. Showed up 30 min late, and asked to leave after 4 hours. session ended 5 hours later. Asked me about all the Protools key commands I was using while the band was tracking, after I told him to stop very politely.

[troublejr]

Originally Posted by Ol' Betsey

Heya Trouble,

I'll leave you to figuring out normaled, half normaled etc (don't worry, just Google it and you'll understand enough to get you started.)

But what I really meant was get you head around the STUDIO'S patchbay.

Figure out what's there, what's where and not just the desk/equipment but also all the tie-lines throughout the live room, control room, overdub booths etc.

Somebody wants this over here, going through that over there, coming up here while he's sittin' on the can cuz that's where he's most inspired...

You start pullin' that stuff off quickly and SILENTLY and you'll get noticed.

But first thing to remember... YOUR JUST A RUNNER right now.

Bide your time, learn your lessons and impress when you get the chance.

Good luck.

Oh... And can I have a slice a pizza with extra tuna and black olives, a coke and Magum?

Take it easy buddy,

R.

Wow thanks Ol' and everyone else. All this is really insightful.

and no you cannot have a slice a pizza with extra tuna and black olives, a coke and Magum...haha

[Ol' Betsey]

Originally Posted by mjlaudio

I always have my interns go through the cable closets and rewrap and organize on their first day.

Yep, we called em' 'happy' cables.

Actually I never called em' that cuz it sounds kinda gay but god was it nice having a clean cable closet.

R.