How Do Recording Engineers Get Paid?

[ProToolzLE]

I know this is a crazy but I thought a good question. I wanted to know if any of my Gearslutz knew how do Recording Engineers get paid if you work for a well profitable studio?

[Jules]

monthly
Weekly
Daily
hourly
Not at all

[johnwy]

Originally Posted by Jules

monthly
Weekly
Daily
hourly
Not at all

..so true

[ProToolzLE]

Damn!! I mean really like by the hour paycheck our salary or how?

[soundeq]

with money....... hopfully...

[IJsman]

it all depends on the kind of deal you make. Sometimes a package deal (along with for example mixing and production), sometimes on an hourly basis, usually per day.

Some clients will pay you cash, most will ask you to bill them.

[t.dizzle]

Originally Posted by soundeq

with money....... hopfully...

Screw that...I want cocaine and steroids.

[cynic one]

Originally Posted by t.dizzle

Screw that...I want cocaine and steroids.

haha seems kind of counter productive there..............

[adrianex]

Monthly here......

[johnwy]

Originally Posted by ProToolzLE

Damn!! I mean really like by the hour paycheck our salary or how?

Originally Posted by IJsman

it all depends on the kind of deal you make. Sometimes a package deal (along with for example mixing and production), sometimes on an hourly basis, usually per day

I want to add to this by saying if you are getting paid directly by a major or independent label, you can probably not expect to see your money anywhere from 30, to 45, even 90 days. These labels should issue you a purchase order when you are booked as a "guarantee of payment", in which the purchase order is included on your invoice when you submit it. Cash clients (as is with certain production companies) usually will pay at the end of the session. These scenarios usually pertain to freelancers.

If you are a staff or "in-house" engineer, you will probably be paid either by the hour or on salary, of which you will see a paycheck weekly or biweekly.

[Edge]

I'm freelance engineer I bring my own clients into the studios, I talk to my clients to find out what studio will work for them then I book the studio the clients pay me as a engineer and they pay to book the studio I get paid after every session

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by t.dizzle

Screw that...I want cocaine and steroids.

Heh...don't forget coffee and beer...you know, for the morning sessions...

[foldback]

Pay?

People get paid for this?

Really? Are you sure?

[NesNeedsGear]

well, rappers usually tell me they'll pay me when they "blow up, son."

Then I say I'll record them when they come back with $50 usd/hr.

And if they don't have someone to edit and mix for them, I'll do it for another fee, "son!!!!"

[demonfuzz]

By the project.

[taturana]

well we usually get paid after bugging the hell out of who hasn't paid yet...
or better yet, to prevent this.... in advance.

as for prices , it really depends on the job.

for production projects i simply do not work unless i get 50% upfront. it may seem exagerated for people living in more advanced economies, but here it's the difference between getting paid or not. sometimes even if you get half the money and the project does not get fully paid. you, at least lose less money.

sometimes people suggest we get paid in promises... but any pro will tell you what to do with those... i tell the customers in that case, that since i can't get a spec deal at the bank they shouldn't expect one from me. and if they need a loan, the bank is the one they should look for... not us engineer/prods....

[Jules]

50% up front (or half way through) and the ballance at the end works well for a lot of people..

Never handing over any sound files untill the bill is paid - also works.

[taturana]

i agree with jules... definitely, no tapes or files go out before payment, well maybe and mp3 or so, but no final mixes or masters. if you break this important rule, forget it. most likely you are not going to get paid, ever.

[BOCATRON]

Is it safe to say that the job is basically a side job or even a hobby?

[IJsman]

Boca, no it's not. There are a whole lot of engineers making a fulltime living recording/mixing/mastering records.

[BOCATRON]

Originally Posted by IJsman

Boca, no it's not. There are a whole lot of engineers making a fulltime living recording/mixing/mastering records.

So is it common that a full time engineer/producer has time for a second full time career?

[Stitch333]

or gear..I get paid in gear sometimes and its very cool especially when they have NOOO clue what they have sitting in the racks. One time I got a U87, Lexicon PCM90 and NS10s for about 5 hours of work.

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by BOCATRON

So is it common that a full time engineer/producer has time for a second full time career?

If you arent very good behind the boards or dont know anyone who is willing to help your career along...

[mrsteaks]

I'm one who has a day job. I do location work for the local musicians (choirs, orchestras, big bands - etc), and the pay is meager. But, it supports the gear habit! My day job supports me and the missus....

Oh - I get paid by the job.

[illynoise]

Hourly

[mrlouie]

the recording studio i used to work for along time ago was really good about paying its assitants and runners. ... we got paid per hour .. time and half after 8 hours .. and double time time after 12 hours ... we also got a check every week ...

[taturana]

Originally Posted by BOCATRON

So is it common that a full time engineer/producer has time for a second full time career?

not really. pro audio engineers hardly have any time left in their day... but i can see what you're getting at... many of us actually live on breadcrumbs and salvation army soup.... others might be buying a new ferrari (or an ssl console). it's a tough carrer and you have to deserve your respect (AND YOUR RATES)

[junebughunter]

I am 20 years old. I won't get to specific but I manage to make 25-30% of my income off of producing and engineering. I'm a software developer on salary by day.

I make just enough to afford my gear habits, and always have my mini-fridge stocked full of New Castle, Sierra Nevada, Bass and Guinness.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...eID=1137871978

Just like that

[cap217]

Originally Posted by junebughunter

I am 20 years old. I won't get to specific but I manage to make 25-30% of my income off of producing and engineering. I'm a software developer on salary by day.

I make just enough to afford my gear habits, and always have my mini-fridge stocked full of New Castle, Sierra Nevada, Bass and Guinness.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...eID=1137871978

Just like that

25-30% of 5 grand a year isnt much!!!

[junebughunter]

Originally Posted by cap217

25-30% of 5 grand a year isnt much!!!

I make a pretty modest living but I am able to live on my own, have a very nice car. Afford some nice gear and any guitar equipment I've ever wanted I've managed to save up for and purchase.

I just don't feel comfortable posting my income online but for a single 20 year old guy I am quite comfortable.