How to work full time - records part time - and learn

CityDump Records · 23rd February 2010

The question:

How to work full time - records part time - and learn more?

Ok, this might seem like an easy answer for some but only post real productive advice please.

Im working a fulltime job ( IT TECH ) 10hr days mon - thur 7am - 5pm

I also operate my studio 6pm - 9pm mon - thur and noon - 3am fri - sun

I have been pretty booked lately working around 6 - 12 hrs a weekend recording and 3-5 hrs a week mixing

I am finding between Family, recording, working, and going to shows I don’t have much time.

( I go to alot of shows to meet local artist, producers, and other engineers to work with )

How do you guys find time to try and learn new techniques and get better at what you do?

A few things I have done or am considering doing:

1.)
I have applied to get internships at local studio's (no luck so far)(i figured id drop some recording time out of my schedule so I could do that)

2.)
I am considering buying time at a higher end studio and having them re record and mix some of the work i have done so I can ask questions and see what they do differently

3.)
I have consistently recorded one album free and when its done i find another talented artists and do his album free so I can spend time experimenting on his work without having to worry about pay or time.

4.)
I try to learn as much as possible on gearsluts while im at work but im more of a hands on learner so I don’t soak a lot of it up.

Background info on me:
24 years old
small recording studio, youtube "citydump records"
recording for about 5 years
current studio is my 3rd studio I have built

Studio setup:
Room - acousticly designed
speaker -yammy's hs80
interface - 003 rack
mic - mxl genesis
pre/compressor - safe sound p1
plugins - 003 bundle, ozone

what I record - hip/hop, rap, r&B, karaoke singers,
hourly rate - 30$ recording , 20$ mixing on my own

Saudade · 23rd February 2010

I think you're on the right track!

To do what you are doing you need passion and boundless energy. Ahhh...wish I was that young and fearless again

As to how to find time to learn new techniques, I would think the best learning is on the job, and you have plenty on your hands. Maybe you could try not to let yourself fall back on tried and proven tricks, force yourself to intepret and approach the mix from different angles. Once in a while find acts that your really enjoy working with, or you feel will challenge you, for example genres you are not so familiar with. Widen your repertoire and expand your versatility and simultaneously improve your knowledge, experience and skill level thumbsup

23rd February 2010	#1
CityDump Records Gear addict Joined: Dec 2009 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 406 Thread Starter	How to work full time - records part time - and learn The question: How to work full time - records part time - and learn more? Ok, this might seem like an easy answer for some but only post real productive advice please. Im working a fulltime job ( IT TECH ) 10hr days mon - thur 7am - 5pm I also operate my studio 6pm - 9pm mon - thur and noon - 3am fri - sun I have been pretty booked lately working around 6 - 12 hrs a weekend recording and 3-5 hrs a week mixing I am finding between Family, recording, working, and going to shows I don’t have much time. ( I go to alot of shows to meet local artist, producers, and other engineers to work with ) How do you guys find time to try and learn new techniques and get better at what you do? A few things I have done or am considering doing: 1.) I have applied to get internships at local studio's (no luck so far)(i figured id drop some recording time out of my schedule so I could do that) 2.) I am considering buying time at a higher end studio and having them re record and mix some of the work i have done so I can ask questions and see what they do differently 3.) I have consistently recorded one album free and when its done i find another talented artists and do his album free so I can spend time experimenting on his work without having to worry about pay or time. 4.) I try to learn as much as possible on gearsluts while im at work but im more of a hands on learner so I don’t soak a lot of it up. Background info on me: 24 years old small recording studio, youtube "citydump records" recording for about 5 years current studio is my 3rd studio I have built Studio setup: Room - acousticly designed speaker -yammy's hs80 interface - 003 rack mic - mxl genesis pre/compressor - safe sound p1 plugins - 003 bundle, ozone what I record - hip/hop, rap, r&B, karaoke singers, hourly rate - 30$ recording , 20$ mixing on my own __________________ ICON CityDump Records www.citydumprecords.com 317-200-8973

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23rd February 2010	#2
Saudade Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Birthplace of the Soundblaster Posts: 633	I think you're on the right track! To do what you are doing you need passion and boundless energy. Ahhh...wish I was that young and fearless again As to how to find time to learn new techniques, I would think the best learning is on the job, and you have plenty on your hands. Maybe you could try not to let yourself fall back on tried and proven tricks, force yourself to intepret and approach the mix from different angles. Once in a while find acts that your really enjoy working with, or you feel will challenge you, for example genres you are not so familiar with. Widen your repertoire and expand your versatility and simultaneously improve your knowledge, experience and skill level thumbsup