Looking for assistant at WireWorld Studio

[mwagener]

Well, Ryu, my trusted and wonderful assistant of the last 4 years unfortunately had to go back to Japan because his student visa ran out

So, now I am looking for a new assistant for WireWorld, but before you email me, here are the non-negotiable conditions:

1) I can’t pay a salary (for various business reasons). I look at this as an education, somewhat like going to a recording school, except you spend your money on living cost instead of paying the school and you will actually learn something useful. I will pay for your food whenever we go out to dinner with a band or workshop guests (which is quite frequently) other than that you will have to be able support yourself. If you don’t have a way to support yourself, don’t even read on.

2) You have to have a functioning, safe car, which can get you to the studio every day on time (you pay for gas) and might be needed for you to run errands, like getting strings or drumheads in an emergency situation, not to get Pizza. If you run errands for the studio/session, I pay for gas.

3) You have to have a place to stay in or around Nashville and be able to commit to this for at least a year. The studio is about 30 miles outside of town.

4) You have to able to be at the studio anytime there is a session, without exception, this will be your new, unpaid day job . There will be times when the studio is not being used, or I am on outside projects. This will be off time for you.

5) You have to be willing and able to work long hours if necessary. The usual workday is from 11AM to about 9PM, but there will be days when we work until the early morning hours and others when we only work for a couple of hours.

6) You have to be willing and able to follow instructions (speak and understand English at least as good as I can) and be good indealing with people, even if they are a bit eccentric or crazy (like most of us).

7) There will be no advising platinum selling musicians, which drum sticks they should use (yes it happened before with an intern from a recording school). Officially you don’t have an opinion on ANYTHING to do with the music, even if asked by a band member. I might do things in an odd, hard to understand way, but there is (normally) a reason behind all this, which might not be obvious to you.

8) If you take drugs, drink alcohol past the occasional bottle of beer or smoke, please don’t reply to this, it’s a waste of your and my time.

9) I expect you to be clean and orderly, there is nothing worse than BO in a tight control room.

10) You will have to be able to blend into the background and get out of the way of the session until you know enough to be an asset to the session.

11) We will have to meet before I commit to taking you on for this job and you might be turned away without any reason given.

12) You have to have a "general" understanding of the recording process, no bankers please.

13) There might be things I forgot...

Here is what I can offer:
You won’t get any certificate, but you will get a useful education in recording, mixing, producing and running a studio, way beyond what a recording school can offer you. If you are willing to learn, I will show you everything I know and who knows, I can’t run the studio forever...

You won’t be making coffee or cleaning the toilet or be made to do anything that is not connected with recording, mixing or everyday studio business (unless you see a need for it), but I do expect you to keep the studio organized and in good shape. You will have to observe and learn quietly during sessions, there is plenty of time for questions after the band is gone. After a “getting-to-know-you” period and after you have earned my trust, you will receive a studio key and alarm code, so you can be there before and after the sessions to prepare. That key will also entitle you to use the studio for your own projects when there is no session going on (after clearing it up with me), but you will be 100% responsible for all and any damage or stolen gear during your own sessions.

If you agree with the above conditions, I am sure you can learn a lot about recording and mixing and have a great time doing so, if you don’t agree with ALL of the above conditions, please don’t even contact me!

If you are interested and think you can deal with the above conditions, please email me at wireworld [@] comcast dot net

[atticus]

This is a great opportunity........

[drew]

wow. brave of you Michael to put it out there like this. good luck.

[Fletcher]

Fukk.

I was all set to jump on this until I got to 8.

There's always a catch ain't there.

[blackcatdigi]

Originally Posted by mwagener

Well, Ryu, my trusted and wonderful assistant of the last 4 years unfortunately had to go back to Japan because his student visa ran out

Aww crap, that is terrible news. I had hoped he would figure out some way to stay in the states.

Good Luck in your search. If I were 20 years younger and could handle No. 8 (like Fletcher) I would be hounding you for the gig!

Somebody is going to hit the recording lottery jackpot!!!

[George Necola]

8) If you take drugs, drink alcohol past the occasional bottle of beer or smoke, please don’t reply to this, it’s a waste of your and my time.

damned.. this point 8 is knokin me off..

btw. michael. If you dont pay your learner, and he has to work whenever a project is up, and whenever yuo want him to be there, how should the poor guy survive? I mean money is not falling from heaven.. or I just didnt find it

cheers

[rmx16]

Michael
#8 is a killer for me too.Ah, to be 20 years younger

Peace

[Andi Rauscher]

what´s up with you guys, ah? are you all drug addicts??

well, I guess I´d be the perfect candidate, but I live in germany and I can´t afford it to be over there "unpaid" (of course it´s absolutely OK for Michael to do so! and I understand why he´s doing so... but how do you make a living??)
well, long story short, I´d love to get over there, but I see no way for me, since I have my engineering jobs and my studio here in Berlin...
But, best of luck to you, Michael, and all the candidates!
May the best one win!

best wishes,
Andi

[ILL]

^--- Almost the same as above... Damn. Awesome opportunity.

[T_R_S]

Aww Crap #8 is the deal braker for me too!

[Sqye]

Originally Posted by George Necola

damned.. this point 8 is knokin me off..

btw. michael. If you dont pay your learner, and he has to work whenever a project is up, and whenever yuo want him to be there, how should the poor guy survive? I mean money is not falling from heaven.. or I just didnt find it

cheers

This is, WITHOUT QUESTION, an amazing opportunity, and MW clearly states that whoever gets this position will be garnering an education (and, with one of the most talented producer/ engineer/ musicians with an EE background - not to mention extremely knowledgable and unbelievably cool, savy and experienced guys) in the industry.

No one could get an education like this in ANY recording school - are you kidding me? And what does the cheapest school cost PER SEMESTER?? Jeeeeez.

Don't look a fr*gg*n gift horse in the mouth. If I were younger, I'd DEFINITELY jump on this.

Good luck, Micheal.

[kats]

btw. michael. If you dont pay your learner, and he has to work whenever a project is up, and whenever yuo want him to be there, how should the poor guy survive?

Considering it's the same deal at recording schools - except you PAY THEM 10s of thousands of dollars over and above that, I'd say it's a good deal.

[George Necola]

ok, accepted

[Lynn Fuston]

Originally Posted by Andi Rauscher

well, I guess I´d be the perfect candidate, but I live in germany and I can´t afford it to be over there "unpaid"

How do you think people go to college to get their Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate degrees? Ever heard of student loans?

This is the most amazing opportunity I've ever seen posted on the internet and people are picking on the drinking and the pay? I've only seen one other opportunity like this in the past 25 years and it was when George Massenburg needed help. It WAS NOT posted publically and I did find him an assistant, who moved here just two years ago and is now gainfully employed at Blackbird Studio (killer studio) and has a list of credits (in two years) more impressive than mine (Faith Hill, Martina McBride, etc.)

As far as I can see there is NO downside to this opportunity and anyone who is serious about learning this business could give up drinking for a few years to learn their craft from Michael. Beg, borrow or steal. If it's not worth that much to you, then it's clear where your priorities are and, as Michael said, "don't bother reading further."

[Jam]

Wow for the right person this is an incredible opportunity !!

[Andi Rauscher]

Originally Posted by Lynn Fuston

How do you think people go to college to get their Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate degrees? Ever heard of student loans?

This is the most amazing opportunity I've ever seen posted on the internet and people are picking on the drinking and the pay? I've only seen one other opportunity like this in the past 25 years and it was when George Massenburg needed help. It WAS NOT posted publically and I did find him an assistant, who moved here just two years ago and is now gainfully employed at Blackbird Studio (killer studio) and has a list of credits (in two years) more impressive than mine (Faith Hill, Martina McBride, etc.)

As far as I can see there is NO downside to this opportunity and anyone who is serious about learning this business could give up drinking for a few years to learn their craft from Michael. Beg, borrow or steal. If it's not worth that much to you, then it's clear where your priorities are and, as Michael said, "don't bother reading further."

I absolutely agree with you. Period.
All I wanted to say that it´s just not "makeable" (can you say that???) for me personally.
I would absolutely love to do this, but in December I bought a Pro Tools HD System, and I have a new girl friend since December, on Tuesday I´ll have my first job in a big studio, so my life changed a lot in the las few weeks.
I absolutely KNOW and understand that these things are no reasons not to do this, but it "just doesn´t fit in" at the moment. 2 month ago I would have written Michael an email to see if I could get the job, but now, I see just no way for it...
and there is one part in me that regrets this. The other part of me says, there´s a reason why things turn out this way.

I NEVER INTENDED to bash this opportunity or ANYTHING LIKE THIS!
This is a once in a lifetime chance, that´s for sure.

[alohannes]

Originally Posted by Lynn Fuston

How do you think people go to college to get their Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate degrees? Ever heard of student loans?

Dude, he's from Germany. You probably don't know that, but we don't have to pay ridiculously high amounts of money for education over here. So there ain't no student loans system like in the states. And I think it's good that way, since it kinda allows everybody to get good education and knowledge. Believe it or not, education is a good thing.

And regardless for whom or in which area; I think not paying interns is shady.

Originally Posted by Lynn Fuston

Beg, borrow or steal.

Well said, but put to the real world; If I would like to work for Michael, I simply have NO WAY of getting enough money to just exist. I mean, I really would like to eat something at least once a day.

[Knox]

if there is anyone thinking of dropping thousands going to Full Sail . . . take this gig and use that money to live. I guarantee it will be more productive. He's a great guy and you will learn more watching and assisting him then you ever will at FS.

as far as #8 . . . come on already . . we all know it was IN to act like a junkie / drunk in the 80s, but now you are just a cliche. I got 15 years clean, and can tell you that leaving that rock and roll cliche behind was the best thing I ever did for my life / career. Doesn't take a genius to see that getting wasted to be cool or learning a life long craft from a world class guy like M . . the answer is pretty obvious.

[GilWave]

Apprenticeship used to be the norm in most trades. Not only did you "learn as you go", but it enabled you to make important connections not possible in a university or audio school.

In our industry, experience counts more than a degree. Nashville is still booming from a recording standpoint (unlike New York and Chicago), and the sheer amount of artists and genres being recorded there would assure anyone a "sky's the limit" opportunity.

Not to mention getting to work with Michael. I'd say it's a win win all the way around, and a lot cheaper than 2 years at Full Sail. The cost of living around Nashville is much more reasonable than NYC or LA, and the social scene is mostly like minded folks who are passionate about music. The clubs and live venues showcase some of the best musicians in the counrty, and if Michael does ever allow any time off, there's plenty to do to live love and learn.

Great chance for the right person. Good luck in your search Michael.

-gil

[maskedman72]

wow...look at his client list

http://www.michaelwagener.com/html/discography.html

this is insane.
for all of you who dont know mr. wagener mixed master of puppets.....enough said on how big of a shot this is for someone.

[Chucho]

Originally Posted by Jam

Wow for the right person this is an incredible opportunity !!

Rich parents you mean.

[dasbin]

Aren't things like this technically illegal?

I mean, I understand the personal value of the experience totally, but you don't get a master carpenter asking you to be his sanding assistant just for the "education and experience." He pays you, no matter how good he is.
If you're helping a business make money then you should be too. I think that is what it comes down to.
Doesn't matter if you're a peon or the head engineer - peons are doing work too (in many cases far worse work which the head engineer really doesn't want to be doing) and deserve compensation.

And yeah, this clearly puts those without alternate sources of income (rich parents) at a big disadvantage.

I find it interesting that this is the only industry where it seems okay for the bigshots to sit down and say "we need an extra hand to do all the stuff I don't have time for." Anywhere else the answer would be "hire some kid who wants experience in the industry." Here the answer is "con some kid into doing it for free who wants experience in the industry."

[GilWave]

Originally Posted by dasbin

Here the answer is "con some kid into doing it for free who wants experience in the industry."

No one is being conned. Michael couldn't have detailed the position and situation any clearer - you don't like it, don't apply.

Unpaid Internships are common in all aspects of the entertainment industry. Radio, Television, Film, Recording all use the concept. I've had Summer interns work with us to learn how to build and configure PCs for audio and video production. When they leave they are Intel and Microsoft certified and can go on to make real money with the skill set they picked up. The resume-building value alone is usualy worth it.

In MW's case, I believe the pitch is more "before you spend thousands of dollars at Full Sail or SAE or IAR, come work with me and when you're done you'll have a much better shot at a career".

Michael is not getting something for nothing here.

[kats]

Michael, charge 20k/year and call it "school" to make Dasbin etal happy

[Lynn Fuston]

Originally Posted by dasbin

I find it interesting that this is the only industry where it seems okay for the bigshots to sit down and say "we need an extra hand to do all the stuff I don't have time for." Anywhere else the answer would be "hire some kid who wants experience in the industry." Here the answer is "con some kid into doing it for free who wants experience in the industry."

Here's what the application requirements could read.

"Astounding chance to learn from a master. This educational opportunity is available to only one person. Applicant will be paid $30,000 salary per year to learn.

Annual fee for this program: $30K/year."

Does that make it more palatable?

Did anyone mention that the $60K investment would equip the right person to potentially earn millions of dollars over their career? This is an investment in your future and should be considered as such.

[dolo]

Originally Posted by GilWave

No one is being conned. Michael couldn't have detailed the position and situation any clearer - you don't like it, don't apply.

Unpaid Internships are common in all aspects of the entertainment industry. Radio, Television, Film, Recording all use the concept.

i've been engineering for over twenty years and have had plenty of interns over those years. we never demanded that they be at every single session. it was purely up to them how much they were at the studio and how much they got out of it. and for the ones we demanded this type of dedication we at least stipend them.

[dasbin]

Originally Posted by Lynn Fuston

Did anyone mention that the $60K investment would equip the right person to potentially earn millions of dollars over their career? This is an investment in your future and should be considered as such.

I get that part of it.
The part I don't get is that you are ALSO investing your time in someone else's business venture and helping them succeed and make money.

It just seems a totally logical deduction to say that if you help someone make money, you should be entitled to get some money out of it. Otherwise you are being used, even if there is a good chance you could personally benefit from it in the future. It is still only a probability, not a certainty, and it still only exists in the future, while you are helping his business now in the present.

[Audio Hombre]

Was the departing Ryu making any money after 4 yrs?

For the right candidate, this looks like a heck of an opportunity.

[slobbermonster]

what's the age limit ? Do I have enough time to sell my house?

[Ruphus]

Let´s say the applicant wouldn´t be worth any money for ~ 18 month, for at first Michael will have to put in with educating the person and explaining and reminding him many things.

How about a GS fellowship? For a minimum of 600 bucks per month we would need 540 guys paying one time 20,00 dollaros.

And then let´s ensure that a talented person gets that chance who otherwise would had never have any remotely close to such in life.

That would be a great twenty bucks karma deal, wouldn´t it?

And you´d see his signature on future productions and think

How is it, would we get over 540 guys to pay that? - provided Michael was thinking to start paying a minimum after 1 1/2 years.

Who ever would be interested might confirm so that heads can be counted to see if we could get together enough folks for something thelike or not.

Ruphus