What to tell the client when...

T_R_S · 7th December 2005

I've decided to tell to client to get a few peoples opinion before he releases it.
But I am not sure I should even go that far
A producer flies in from out of town. He's getting paid by the song so he's cranking it up so he can get to the next job. So he decides to start engeering himself putting in MP3 drums samples into the session. Taking 45 minutes to do what an experienced engineer do in about 10. The client is green and has no idea what's going on. The client ends up with OK average sounding mixes with no bass drum at all it the mix. All the songs sound very different as far a instument balance and tone. He tells the client don't worry they can fix all that in the mastering studio. The crazy thing is that the producer gets all kind of airplay but I know he has only started to engineeer he does what to cut his teeth and learn. He has his own home studio and I am afraid he's learning at my expense. OH WELL!!

slaves666 · 7th December 2005

I've been in some sticky situations as well, and I'm sure everyone here has. The truth is, depending on whether it reflects badly on you, i wouldn't say anything. If the client is paying the procuder, and the relationship is between them, without your involvement, stay out of it. Most bands are naive and might take it the wrong way. Also, if you do say something, they might handle it the wrong way with the producer and it may get back that you said something......

Good luck.

Rick Sutton · 7th December 2005

I agree with slaves666. No guarantee that you won't get bit by this either way, but your best bet is to just let it go. Almost certain to bring bad repercussions if you make an issue of it. If asked by the client, then I'd very diplomatically tell them my reservations about the sound but try not to bag on the producer as it will reflect poorly on you.
If you have had a long relationship with the client and you've done many projects with them it is a little easier to deal with this kind of thing, but otherwise, the producer is their guy and you just have to accept the results.

Jose Mrochek · 7th December 2005

Don´t say a word as long as your opinion has not been asked.

rvwainscott · 7th December 2005

Is your name or your facility attached to the project in any way? If so, then you should at least voice your concerns to producer X. Also, put your money where your mouth is and play producer X samples of what you and your place can do back-to-back againt this current project. If the average guy/gal can really hear the difference then there really is a problem.

Finally, I suspect that producer X will appreciate and respect you more if you take up this issue with just him.

Good luck,
Robert V. Wainscott
Full Clip Audio

dbbubba · 8th December 2005

Sometimes it's best to leave it alone and let it all happen as it will.
I wouldn't worry about your or your studio's reputation if your usual production work is better.

On the otherhand, I've had to speak up a few times and once on a cut that was being used as a centerpiece for a big bank's corporate blowout the vocalist was so bad that while mixing I turned to the client and said, "Look, you can't use this piece with this girl's vocal." The client said, "What can we do?" I said that my wife could be there in fifeteen minutes and nail the vocal in a few takes. While this was gutsy move I knew my wife could do the job and we ended up getting thousands of dollars of work from this client.
I had the guy's trust from then on.... but I delivered the goods (actually my wife did.)

I have also had a few occasions where I sat back and recorded some crap vocals by people that needed to do serious woodsheding before ever being in front of a mic. On more than one occasion I have been accused of letting them run up studio time while they were clearly singing "badly." Generally when backed into that corner I get REALLY honest REALLY fast! It's going to go either way at that point! I have hit fast forward and spun a 2"master off and never worked with a client again after arriving at this point, too! I had other clients who appreciated my honesty and trusted me from that day on.

If you are correct the client will respect you for it.

Danny Brown

7th December 2005	#1
T_R_S Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Canuk Posts: 5,278 Thread Starter	What to tell the client when... I've decided to tell to client to get a few peoples opinion before he releases it. But I am not sure I should even go that far A producer flies in from out of town. He's getting paid by the song so he's cranking it up so he can get to the next job. So he decides to start engeering himself putting in MP3 drums samples into the session. Taking 45 minutes to do what an experienced engineer do in about 10. The client is green and has no idea what's going on. The client ends up with OK average sounding mixes with no bass drum at all it the mix. All the songs sound very different as far a instument balance and tone. He tells the client don't worry they can fix all that in the mastering studio. The crazy thing is that the producer gets all kind of airplay but I know he has only started to engineeer he does what to cut his teeth and learn. He has his own home studio and I am afraid he's learning at my expense. OH WELL!! __________________ FB Page ========== Surplus Sale

7th December 2005	#5
rvwainscott Gear maniac Joined: Sep 2005 Location: LA Posts: 234	Talk to the producer Is your name or your facility attached to the project in any way? If so, then you should at least voice your concerns to producer X. Also, put your money where your mouth is and play producer X samples of what you and your place can do back-to-back againt this current project. If the average guy/gal can really hear the difference then there really is a problem. Finally, I suspect that producer X will appreciate and respect you more if you take up this issue with just him. Good luck, Robert V. Wainscott Full Clip Audio

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7th December 2005	#2
slaves666 Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 2,170	I've been in some sticky situations as well, and I'm sure everyone here has. The truth is, depending on whether it reflects badly on you, i wouldn't say anything. If the client is paying the procuder, and the relationship is between them, without your involvement, stay out of it. Most bands are naive and might take it the wrong way. Also, if you do say something, they might handle it the wrong way with the producer and it may get back that you said something...... Good luck.

7th December 2005	#3
Rick Sutton Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 4,057	I agree with slaves666. No guarantee that you won't get bit by this either way, but your best bet is to just let it go. Almost certain to bring bad repercussions if you make an issue of it. If asked by the client, then I'd very diplomatically tell them my reservations about the sound but try not to bag on the producer as it will reflect poorly on you. If you have had a long relationship with the client and you've done many projects with them it is a little easier to deal with this kind of thing, but otherwise, the producer is their guy and you just have to accept the results.

7th December 2005	#4
Jose Mrochek Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 3,830	Don´t say a word as long as your opinion has not been asked.

8th December 2005	#6
dbbubba Banned Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 7,099	Sometimes it's best to leave it alone and let it all happen as it will. I wouldn't worry about your or your studio's reputation if your usual production work is better. On the otherhand, I've had to speak up a few times and once on a cut that was being used as a centerpiece for a big bank's corporate blowout the vocalist was so bad that while mixing I turned to the client and said, "Look, you can't use this piece with this girl's vocal." The client said, "What can we do?" I said that my wife could be there in fifeteen minutes and nail the vocal in a few takes. While this was gutsy move I knew my wife could do the job and we ended up getting thousands of dollars of work from this client. I had the guy's trust from then on.... but I delivered the goods (actually my wife did.) I have also had a few occasions where I sat back and recorded some crap vocals by people that needed to do serious woodsheding before ever being in front of a mic. On more than one occasion I have been accused of letting them run up studio time while they were clearly singing "badly." Generally when backed into that corner I get REALLY honest REALLY fast! It's going to go either way at that point! I have hit fast forward and spun a 2"master off and never worked with a client again after arriving at this point, too! I had other clients who appreciated my honesty and trusted me from that day on. If you are correct the client will respect you for it. Danny Brown