Studio Etiquette

[aintnosunshine]

Tell us what you think about studio etiquette. Enquiring minds want to know. I want to know!

[Rick Sutton]

I think the little fork is for salads.



Also.........positive vibes ALL THE TIME>
and, keepa your mouth shut as much as possible.
I think that covers most of it.
OH, leave your girlfriend, boyfriend etc. at home.

[JTR]

Originally Posted by Rick Sutton

I think the little fork is for salads.

Shellfish

next little is dessert

little is salad

biggest for stabbing at pieces of meat on the big round plate

See, that's why Buck House didn't send you an invite this xmas

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by aintnosunshine

Tell us what you think about studio etiquette. Enquiring minds want to know. I want to know!

No heroin before midday.
Genital torture as punishment for going out of time/tune.
Syphyllitic midget crack-*****s used as seating unless the band is christian rock, in which case the band is used as seating and the syphyllitic midget crack-*****s are given instruments in their place.

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by JTR

Shellfish

next little is dessert

little is salad

biggest for stabbing at pieces of meat on the big round plate

See, that's why Buck House didn't send you an invite this xmas

We always keep the biggest fork ready to stab the hand of anybody going for seconds when we ain't had enough yet.

[JTR]

Originally Posted by Rick Sutton

We always keep the biggest fork ready to stab the hand of anybody going for seconds when we ain't had enough yet.

thumbsup

Was gonna mention that, but it's an Etiquette thread, after all.


Here's some recent threads on the topic

general studio policies:

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...2&page=1&pp=30


rules for assistants:

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...ght=assistants

[Rick Sutton]

JTR, I think I'd fit right in at one of your "sit downs' but I'm 'fraid to go to richmondjames' joint 'cause they sound kinda uppity and high-toned with all them rules.

[Boby Stoica]

1. Break the ice you first, only if they're high or drunk.

2. Never go for a drink from after the first session.

3. Never skip the drinks after the last session, when everything is finished..

4. Free coffee always softens the tension.

5. Make suggestions, and if they don't like it, DON'T inssist.

6. Be a better professionist than your customers are. Never give them the feeling that you're staying in their.. way.


..
my 2ct

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by Boby Stoica

1. Break the ice you first, only if they're high or drunk.

2. Never go for a drink from after the first session.

3. Never skip the drinks after the last session, when everything is finished..

4. Free coffee always softens the tension.

5. Make suggestions, and if they don't like it, DON'T inssist.

6. Be a better professionist than your customers are. Never give them the feeling that you're staying in their.. way.


..
my 2ct

Some good advice here.
I know that it may not be intentional, but I think you've invented a new word. "Professionist" has gotta be the best new word I've seen in a long time. Not kidding, not poking fun. Fantastic! Isn't a combination of professional and perfectionist what we all strive for? Brilliant!
Or maybe it's a professional electrologist. Either way it's applicable.
Boby, seriously, that word is perfect ( and your advise was spot on)
Cheers, Rick

[JTR]

Originally Posted by Rick Sutton

OH, leave your girlfriend, boyfriend etc. at home.

And never, ever bring both your girlfriend & your boyfriend to the session;

or else, the etc. will get upset and cause a scene.

[djui5]

Wear clean boxers and sox in the studio

[JonCraig]

Originally Posted by djui5

Wear clean boxers and sox in the studio

yes! had to work with a guy one time whose feet/shoes/whatever it was smelled so bad that i spent the whole time trying to get a breath of clean air! imagine trying to tweak eq when you can't even really breathe!

--jon

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by Rick Sutton

JTR, I think I'd fit right in at one of your "sit downs' but I'm 'fraid to go to richmondjames' joint 'cause they sound kinda uppity and high-toned with all them rules.

[aintnosunshine]

Thanks for the info guys.

Any other comments, jokes, or otherwise are welcome.

[Sqye]

Hey - do you know DMXs cover of the Aint No Sunshine track? - I really like it. It was my favorite track for a minute

[octatonic]

No more jokes from me for a bit.

My studio is pretty informal- I treat clients like friends.
If something is good, I tell them.
If it sucks, I tell them, politely.
If I have a problem with them for some type of behaviour I tell them as soon as I can before it gets out of control (generally smoking in the studio or being late.)

All money talk is done offsite in a cafe or restaurant and before we start the session.

It mostly all goes smoothly.

[JonCraig]

Originally Posted by richmondjames

All money talk is done offsite in a cafe or restaurant

interesting... i'm curious, do you think this makes the client feel more at ease? like, he's not trying to fight for his interests on your turf... that sort of thing?

not trying to pick a fight or anything, just honestly curious.

and the most important question: who usually picks up the bill?



--jon

[aintnosunshine]

Originally Posted by Sqye

Hey - do you know DMXs cover of the Aint No Sunshine track? - I really like it. It was my favorite track for a minute

Man...

yuck. I like hiphop and all... but... bleh.

[~ufo~]

Originally Posted by Rick Sutton

JTR, I think I'd fit right in at one of your "sit downs' but I'm 'fraid to go to richmondjames' joint 'cause they sound kinda uppity and high-toned with all them rules.

this all reminds me of a soundbyte I have from a Henry Rollins stand up show.
he's ranting about the people in airports and airplanes.

here's the line:

(airplane intercom voice)
KKKKKKKCCCCCCHHHHHHHH LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE CAPTAIN HAS SWITCHED ON THE "SIT THE F*CK DOWN AND SHUT THE F*CK UP LIGHTS" YOU ARE KINDLY REQUESTED TO SIT THE F*CK DOWN AND SHUT THE F*CK UP, THANK YOU KKKCCCHH.

I should get one of them lights for my studio

[JTR]

On a serious note, I think 2 points are important

1
As often illustrated in various posts here; you better have a good sense of humor in this business - the best sessions always have lots of laughs too

2
Keep the money out of the session; This is one of the hidden advantages of a commerical studio; the front office deals with the money; allowing the engineer to work with the client without the sometimes awkward issue of commerce

[the-oger]

Originally Posted by JonCraig

yes! had to work with a guy one time whose feet/shoes/whatever it was smelled so bad that i spent the whole time trying to get a breath of clean air! imagine trying to tweak eq when you can't even really breathe!

--jon

In thoses instances I just apply extra boost above 20K & lean into the monitors and take in all that "extra air"

[Jules]

No farting in the control room
No stinkey hot food (McDonalds or a kebab with onions) in the control room

[aintnosunshine]

How about dress code? You don't want to show up the 'artists' right?

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by aintnosunshine

How about dress code? You don't want to show up the 'artists' right?

Keep clean. Be who you are. You'll do fine.

[JTR]

Originally Posted by aintnosunshine

How about dress code? You don't want to show up the 'artists' right?

depends - whether you want it to be or not, the studio is your stage; have fun with it

Lab coats, suits, or just a shirt & tie can be fun: go against type & whatever you wear, WEAR it.

Nothing says "Punk" like a kilt with Doc Martens

Speedos are out, even in the tropics