Does ANYONE use session musicians anymore??

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by toneguru

Never once did I take down the number of a "reader" though, always prefer the guys who play by ear.[snip]
BTW: anybody need a creative guitarist here in San Fran? Best for tone, nuance, soul and pocket groove. Have slide, ebow, Les Paul, Tele, Tweed Fender amps. Reasonable rates too.

Can ya read?

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by gongbass

90% of the session work I do these days [snip] is either in glorified home studios, simple home studios or through in E-session fashion

This.

I use session musicians a lot. And I work as a session bassist almost as much as I do as an engineer.

But it's been months -- perhaps even years -- since I've done a session on either side of the glass where a group of hired session players were all together in the studio playing at the same time.

[monkeyman]

I do, and have done a lot of session work here close to my home (Long Beach, California). Most of it is for smaller studios that are doing "independent" recording projects. I started doing sessions for one particular producer/engineer, and word of mouth spread and I started getting calls to come in and track for a wide assortment of bands/artists/projects. I'm not saying this to toot my own horn, just to make the point that even though maybe session work for major studios is down, there are other avenues open and getting "opener". I make money for the sessions that I do, just not s%@*loads of it. The proliferation of online music outlets and myspace(eeeesssshhhhh), home recording equipment, and what-not are going to provide a lot of new opportunities for artists/engineers/producers/companies in the future. I'm looking forward to it. Love and music..........Monkeyman

[monkeyman]

" Now, I did think that he would do something great on the song, but what he came in and played was nothing less than mind blowing, and he did it on pretty much the second take in a complete pass." That's what session players do. That's why they get payed to play, you are paying for their expertise. ie: Steve Gadd Although very few are hired just because they have a very distinctive "sound" ie: Eddie Van Halen Love and music........Monkeyman

[Kingtone]

Originally Posted by roostert

A lot of us do it here in Nashville, 5-6 days a week. I track 6-8 piece bands regularly. We'll knock out as many as 5 songs in a 3hr (union standard) session. On masters, we will generally get 2-3 songs in 3hrs. If you haven't experienced it, you need to. These guys are truly amazingly talented, creative players. The best in the world IMHO.

I agree with Matt... err with Roostert!

Its alive in Nashville. 5 days straight of sessions this week... and again next week. With great players who put their heart and soul into each and every project. Next week will be a blast, playing with some of my favorite people to play with. We will play in the same room together tracking at the same time as happens daily all over Nashville.
They are a total cool hang.. AND they are some of the best musicians in the world, in my opinion, when it comes to sheer talent and creativity. AND... its not just country music. thumbsup

[JJAM]

Originally Posted by Methlab

I really don't care if you think I or anyone else is undercutting..etc, but this is how it is right now. I have been on major and indie labels and been doing session work for 15 years since I was a kid. I give people high quality tracks and you are welcome to test me out anytime.

Most beatmakers sell their beats for $500 or less until they get placed. I am trying to work with people financially. I used to do 4 hour sessions in studio and walk out with $250. Then I would get $75...then I would get $50..it dropped each year. It has nothing to do with my ability as a player, and I am sure that is the case for many other guys that are lowering rates too. Ask Lukather about the studio gig..he will tell you it IS DEAD. You have to change and adapt.

I just take offense to people who need to insult players they have never heard because they are giving people a good deal on session work.

(I actually only do this price for Sluts on here. Everyone else pays $50)

Don't get me wrong, I'm only stating my own personal position! I've done the odd session where it's been less than I'd normally ask for, but it's quite rare.

How I ended up adapting to session work decreasing was to push the producer angle more - I end up doing all the instruments/BVs anyway, so it's another way of getting playing work in an industry which is being decimated.

[Football]

Originally Posted by rolo

what is the world is this site coming to? in the past month, i've seen threads like
"Does anyone still use Reverb"
"Give me reasons why hardware analog synths sound better than Soft Synths"
and now this???
Perhaps I should start my own post...
Do professional engineers/producers/songwriters/performers still exist on this site?

Have you actually read through the responses to see where the conversation is going? For me this is one of the best threads here in a while.

[delcosmos]

I had wonderful results hiring Lee Levin for a drum "remote" session recently.
www.leelevin.com

He is a truly professional session drummer, he has his own studio equipped with all kind of API's and Helios Mic pres, compressors, good microphones, different snares, different kits, cymbals etc, etc.

His instructions for a "remote" session were:

1) A stereo track of the reference drums only
2) A stereo track of the music with no reference drums.
3) A Protools file with the tempo, sample rate, markers etc.... (If you are not working on Protools, just send a midi file and/or the info)
4) Any specific notes, reference tracks, or drum sounds is also helpful.

Next day he sent me 2 versions of his playing, one straight and one with breaks and suggestions, variations etc, etc.

I edited one final take from those two versions and that's it. A perfect performance with real drums and a perfect recording.

I highly recommend working with Lee, (if he's available!), IMHO one of the best Drum Players these days along with my dear friend Enrique "Bugs" Gonzalez.

Best regards.

Armando.