How's the studio/producing business in LA?

[SoulSpace]

Just wanted to pose the question to those of you who are full-time working professionals in the studio/engineering/producing business here in Los Angeles (NY'ers and Nashville can chime in as well).

I'm being drawn more into becoming full-time (producing/recording) because of some limited success I have enjoyed, but I have ALWAYS kept a good day gig because music is just too damn flaky.

Any thoughts you had on trends and the current status quo would be appreciated.

Some specifics;

1) Have to have Protools HD to compete?
2) Size and quantity of indy/major deals going up/down?
3) General state of the studio business and trends?
4) Virtual sessions (over the internet/ftp) catching on?
5) Film/ad/jingle work to be had?

Thanks

[SoulSpace]

Wow, 44 views and no replies...

That bad, huh?

Nevermind...

[ekimeno]

Good LA - related thread: http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=37201



Hmm - pity this didn't appear in the Similar Threads section...

[phunkyt]

Hey dude.. I'll post u one..

Not sure about trends.. However, I guess I've been fortunate to never have a day gig and still work as a producer/musician here in LA.
As far as having HD to compete.. It doesn't matter.. I've been running TDM for some years now and been making records.. I was comfortable with my setup til recently when I decided to buy into the hype and get "all new" stuff. Dude I've been down for 2-3months trying to learn this stuff. Lucky for me, I kept the old setup and while I'm mixing on 2 projects I'm producing.. I just power up the old stuff and wala!! I'm saying all that to say if you're getting a good sound with what you have.. KEEP IT LIKE THAT!!
The major budgets have DEFINITELY decreased as far as for artists as well as producers. Man 6 years ago I was getting healthy checks for a remix (20-30k) Now.. I'd be good to get 12k. Unless you have the name of Neptunes or so.. It's all about quanity.. I do know that it is still the same as far as getting your own act and producing them and put them out there and if it does well then you're in.. Which after all this time I've decided to do so instead of chasing a check or 2 here and there just to get on the B side.
Indy budgets.. Don't expect much. It's all about (if you're writing) your song hopefully getting on the charts and establishing yourself as a writer/producer. Otherwise I call it "staying afloat" money.
Studios.. Have been shutting down all over town.. I've been to 4 auctions from major studios. Although I do feel that they made their money I do miss going into them and actually being in a session with other musicians and playing and vibing. That is what's missing in music to me today. Being able to vibe off of other musicians.. Everything is about 1 or 2 point persons.
Virtual sessions.. It's catching on Slooooowly. Everything to me is still being created by one person for the most part. I'm working on a record for myself and people have asked for that but I hated the idea because it doesn't allow me to be there and "produce" them. You never know what you may get back.. Scary..
Lastly, film and jingle work you can definitely find.. Actually I've been getting more film work lately than anything. Although that circle is quite tight as well. But like any other job.. If you're in than.. Bingo.. It's definitely more about your hussle. Cause their are a lot of fish in the pond.. It's according to who's hungriest!!
Peace,
T.

[RoundBadge]

I'm all about the indy rock type projects right now...IE:bands I like
F*ck the major labels dinosaurs and all the bullshit that comes with it..been there.
My big cash flow comes from commercials /Tv/Film mixing..4-6 six days of that a month allows me the time and financial resources to do what I want to do[and thankfully buy the gear I want]...
For me, recording music has become FUN again.
and i'm making a record over the internet with a guy in canada right now
We have an FTP ...which rules for mixes and sending single tracks.
he'll send a guitar/bass/keys vocal guide ,click... scratch track...I'll track drums- FTP rough ideas/mixes back for discussion/ approval..then Fedex overnight the files on DVD ..He starts final overdubs ..same process back to me
works great ...3 thousand miles apart- 2 PT rigs,2 cell phones and an FTP
Really fun

[Bounce]

Greetings. I've been producing, recording in L.A. for the last 8 years or so (moved here from the east coast). You don't HAVE to go HD yet to be competitive as a producer (That day may come). It WOULD make things nicer with plug-in latency compensation, better audio, yada yada but I still use a Mix Plus and have PLENTY of work (very very thankful for that). As a commecial or project "recording only" facility you would probably want to go to HD as soon as you can. I keep saying I'm going to move up to HD but keep buying other gear instead (new monitors, new pre's, mics, etc.).
My workload consists of producing artists or bands making records, a good bit of music created and mixed for TV and film (just did a theme for a show on MTV! Yippee!), and basic recording of artists or mixing of projects recorded elsewhere.
As for online projects, it will be exciting to see that pick up in the future and I AM doing a little of that (just had a friend on the east coast lay down some guitar tracks via ftp swaps. I upload to my web host, he downloads the session adds some noise, uploads again, I download the new session or files and continue- works great!) but it's not a large market yet.
However, I'm thinking of moving to San Diego and renting out my current place. I've met some nice folks in L.A. but the ratio of them to the absolute inconsiderate, mean, poopy pants, knuckleheads is way too small (yeah, I said poopy pants). I gotta get outta this dump ; ) Many of my clients say they will follow me around or I can drive up to helL-A and work with my clients at another facility.
There is a LOT of business to be had here if you have skills and really capitalize on your STYLE. Find what you're best at and target those skills to people that appreciate it. Focus on YOUR ABILITIES AS THE PRODUCT and the gear will start to take care of itself (that's what I think anyway, but what do I know, there's a lot of gear I don't have yet!!).

mckay