yes, a screwed up life

[johnnyblotter]

Okay, I made every...and I mean every mistake in the book when it comes to doing engineering/music production. I had a rehearsal/recording studio for five years when i was 19-24. We put tons of money and construction in only to see our investment wiped away by our piece o' crap landlord. Since then I've done sporadic work as a composer for some local tv stations, but mostly I've done office jobs and spent time recording my own stuff. Last year I had a huge manic episode and decided I was going to take over the world via a software program my friend wrote. I stayed up for days at a time acting crazy, and have almost ruined my life because of it. The question is, is thirty too late to start over, and do things right? I mean, possibly go to grad school to study recording, etc. Or should I just accept the fact that I totally blew it and be a frickin lawyer or something?

i know, no one can really answer this...maybe some of you got started later than others....

[JHOOKS]

i somtimes feel like a late bloomer too, but as long as you got the will behind your efforts you will and can do it! i know a lady that decided to go to law school while in her 50's! and this is after she was "retired" from being a teacher. know she works as a lawyer for inmates in prison. remember life is never a straight one way road, its mixed with turns and hills! sometimes we have to get lost in order to find our way!

[Jonboy79]

Dude its never ever too late. If you started over again now you'd probably have a good 40-50 years behind you. And lets face it as fun as this job CAN be its something you may wanna do that long. Plus really if you think about it if you get something going, 20 years from now people could be talking about how great you are, and you'd only be 50 which really isn't that old at all. Go for it dude, don't spend the rest of your life regretting something. I mean if worse comes to worse you'll figure out if its going to work over the next decade and if it doesn't then start over, my mom just did and at 50 she's a successful business woman, and thats after being a nurse for 20 years.

[djui5]

30's not too old at all, but what you need to do is get your life in order first, before you do something you'll regret again.

Andy Wallace is in his late 40's early 50's right? You've got plenty of time :)

[octatonic]

Never too late.
Get busy.

[tedcrop]

Man if 30 is too old then I am screwed.

[johnnyblotter]

Yeah, I know. It's just stuff like - I never learned pro-tools, only Logic as a main tracker. Lots of basic stuff I just didn't learn. My biggest strengths are that I have good ears and have run a bunch of sessions (even if they were Mackie/16 track 1/2 inch with no outboard) so I know how to work with people. The question is, do you guys worry about being old and poor? How do you afford to be in this line of work?

[dingo]

If you want to do some lawyering, go do it. If you want to do audio, go do it. It's as simple as that. Figure out what you want and then find a way to do it.

[johnnyblotter]

That said, I would gladly scrub some toilets in exchange for knowledge, perhaps a small cot. Hehe. Oh wait...I'm serious.

On the other hand, I actually do have some interesting/useful recording ideas. I've gotten some mean drum sounds out of a suitcase and cardboard box. I find a nice sounding vinyl suitcase to sound like an already processed kick drum. And cardboard boxes with brushes make for an extremely nice shaker effect.

I'm down for an adventure, who needs help?

[gitarrero]

..have I screwed it up.. haven't I...

well the big question is: WHAT DO YOU WANT?

honestly - there are some happy people who do homerecordings and might never have a release, but they love what they're doing e.g. their music.

do you want to make a living from music? Why does it need to be from the music? Do you think you're better when the money comes from the music and not from a office job..?

I personally don't - because I don't want to do every shit just it gives some cash.

but that's up to you - what do YOU want?

I have a 2 day office job that pays all the bills, the rest of the time (5 days/week!) I can spend on doing music (music _I_ want to do) or with my girlfriend or go fishing or whatever.

believe me, that is a very relaxed atmosphere to work in.
It seems funny but since I don't really search for that commercial success, it starts happen - got some songs placed on MTV USA, one of my songs was the single of a UK Artist, etc.

[Jonboy79]

Originally Posted by johnnyblotter

Yeah, I know. It's just stuff like - I never learned pro-tools, only Logic as a main tracker. Lots of basic stuff I just didn't learn. My biggest strengths are that I have good ears and have run a bunch of sessions (even if they were Mackie/16 track 1/2 inch with no outboard) so I know how to work with people. The question is, do you guys worry about being old and poor? How do you afford to be in this line of work?

First if you already know Logic then pro tools shouldn't be hard to pick up at all so don't worry about that. Your biggest strengths as you put it are the best ones, so you got a leg up. After all talent is THE most important part of the equation, everything else can be learned down the road.

There's one motto I've always lived by. I'd much rather be happy and poor than rich and miserable. If this business makes you happy then by all means give it a shot.

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by Jonboy79

There's one motto I've always lived by. I'd much rather be happy and poor than rich and miserable. If this business makes you happy then by all means give it a shot.

Absolutely... also a positive mental attitude will always win out.

[guid0]

Originally Posted by gitarrero

It seems funny but since I don't really search for that commercial success, it starts happen - got some songs placed on MTV USA, one of my songs was the single of a UK Artist, etc.

Great post overall but this is the line that nails it, IMHO.

Over the last two decades, I spent my life "trying to make it".

Polishing the image thing, writing and producing songs that have "commercial appeal". Sending demos of the said songs to "industry people". The whole nine yards. What do I have to show for it? NADA! Just a bunch of CD's with crappy songs that make me puke whenever I hear them.

I then took a long time off from the whole music Biz and went about trying to "make something out of myself". I became an IT guy. The job was good and I made a decent living from it and still do but something was not quite right. Something important was missing.

I discovered that the good lord put me on this green earth to write music and play it, not to sell records or troubleshoot sytems.

Got the instruments and recording gear out of storage and you know what? The stuff I'm writing right now is just out of this world and I've found that it speaks to many different types of people. Me and my band are now in the process of recording an album and preparing a tour to support it.

When it comes from the heart and you are expressing yourself in an authentic fashion, the public will respond and you will finally be at peace with yourself.

[joelpatterson]

I was nambly-pamblying along until I hit 30... then I realized I'd end up a bitter old man unless I pursued what was in my heart. My head had misled me for too long.

[Dave Peck]

A very wise person once asked me -

"Which do you think we regret more - The things we tried that didn't work out,
or the things we WISH we would have tried and now we'll never know what could have happened?"

EDIT - on re-reading this I figured I ought to clarify. I'm not implying that it's too late, but just the opposite. If you really want to try something, go ahead and DO IT even if you're getting a late start. That way, even if it doesn't work out, you'll know you gave it a try and you'll have no regrets.

DP

[dplitt]

I probably have 15 years on you so my advice is:

1: Dont worry about what you haven't done, just be proud of what you have done. (I:E you mentioned "Grad School" so I would imagine you already have a degree)

2: Dont dwell on what you haven't got, be grateful for what you do have.

As long as you have family that loves you and a friend or two that will listen, well your way ahead of the curve.

Since I was your age I have lost several (5) very close relatives and friends due to natural causes and accidents. I have been in several bad relationships that have tended to bankrupt me both financially and emotionally(I always have been terrible reading women..lol). I have been screwed over numerous time by supposedly friends and I have close to 20 years at a dead end (day) job but if I leave now I would lose all accrued bennies and pension and the list goes on and on.....But you know what....that's all OK because compared to a lot of people in this world I have absolutely nothing to complain about. There is always someone worse off than me and I am very grateful for what I DO have in life.

I am not trying to preach to you and I apologize if it comes across that way but I know where you are coming from (been there, done that) and I spent a long time dwelling on "what could have been" instead of "what really is". Believe me there is nothing more amazing than the brevity of life and it goes by quick. Just enjoy it and don't drag your past into your future, their just aint enough room for the two of them.

I hope this "jumble" of words helps you out in some way and good luck in what ever you choose.
Oh, and please excuse my spelling...another one of my life's shortcomings

P.S. Wow, i just re-read this post...I really sound like a touchy feely bleeding heart liberal...I just hope my buddies at the local Gun club don't read this post....just kidding.


Dan Plitt
Sound Source
San Diego, Ca.

[gitarrero]

Originally Posted by guid0

Great post overall but this is the line that nails it, IMHO.

When it comes from the heart and you are expressing yourself in an authentic fashion, the public will respond and you will finally be at peace with yourself.

..thanks man!

sometimes it's hard not to fall back in old structures - I just had it today (for about 1/2 day) and noticed "f**ck, what the hell am I thinking about all the time - only business stuff *doingthatdealbuttakecareofthis..blalba*

I just noticed that I was in a rushy mood, not relaxed at all like I used to be since stop care about bizz that much. Fortunatley I found the way back and am relaxed again;)

...and I keep telling me: there is NO need to rush, I'm 26 years old, so there is PLENTY of time for everything - just do what you *really* want.

I think it's important to separate creative work and bizz work. So basicly I don't want to know which A&R is looking for what when I'm writing songs.

Once they're finished and I'm feeling like doing it, I might send the stuff around - but then it's still music I like and not cheesy *universal told me they're looking RIGHT NOW for this and that*

[djui5]

Originally Posted by johnnyblotter

Yeah, I know. It's just stuff like - I never learned pro-tools, only Logic as a main tracker. Lots of basic stuff I just didn't learn. My biggest strengths are that I have good ears and have run a bunch of sessions (even if they were Mackie/16 track 1/2 inch with no outboard) so I know how to work with people. The question is, do you guys worry about being old and poor? How do you afford to be in this line of work?

I'm taking over this industry, so at 27 I've got quite a lot of time to do it, if I need it. Knowing that in my 40's I'd still be young enough to be the top mixer on the planet is comforting. I'm shooting for the next 7 years. I've done a lot in the "short" span I've been in this business, and see no reason why in the next 7 years I can't be the top mixer in the world.

[G-Dawg]

god i hope 30 isnt too late. i'm just now trying to start doing this whole following my dream thing and just turned 30 a month ago. seeing someone who already had some success doing this thing complaining about 30 being too late is highly depressing. luckily all the other posts got me psyched up again.

[TampaBaySound]

In Aug 1992 I had just finished the build out on my first studio. It was about a week before my grand opening. Did I mention I was in south Miami at the time. For those of you who don't remember that's when hurricane Andrew came to town. He turned 6 months work into a pile of rubble overnight and turned me into a street person. I got my first CARE package literally, and was glad to have it. I was 42 at that time.
I've owned a couple non-music related business as fund raisers since then and did well enough to finally do another studio. I'm just getting ready to start my build out on my new studio after a year of finding bargins on enough equipment to get me started.
I know some days it just doesn't seem worth chewing through the restraints, but what other choice do we have? Becoming a lawyer, tapping your feet under the table?

John

[dougb415]

Originally Posted by johnnyblotter

The question is, is thirty too late to start over, and do things right?

I'll try to be nice (resisting the urge to laugh hysterically):

No, 30 is not too late to start over.

[proxy]

I can only speak from my own experience, but I think you're in a good position some ways. If you decided to shift your focus, you may then only realize how much you've learned in the past decade or so. Sometime it takes looking away from what you're staring at to realize what you're looking at. It's like dynamics in music, dynamics in life. You appreciate the quite because of the loud and one actually defines the other.

Having recently taken a break from music to focus on post-production, I was pleased to see how many lessons of music-making craft actually translate to other disciplines. Not to mention working with people collaboratively which you always take with you.

Now, after that break, I'm returning to music with some new lessons and skills and perspective. Even though I never thought I'd say it, I'm really glad I had that forced-break. I've so been where you're at - just keep going and know that it turns around... and around... and around...

- Justin