What's the BIGGEST lie you've told a client?

[dreamsongs]

No...I did not use Autotune on your vocals...!

[exfakto]

"of course I studied this field, I have a degree and everything"

My Ph.D is in Psychology so go figure!

[GearHunter]

I too am a Doctor!

Professor of Funk Logic...

[Riad]

PHD, Playa Hater Degree.

[PatBlair]

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

No...I did not use Autotune on your vocals...!

My second time in a 'big expensive' studio was summer of 2000 (I think), doing guitar tracking for an album that a couple of friends were working on. We were all in college at the time. The singer had an amazing baritone voice, so naturally he and the other songwriter were a little concerned when the engineer started using this previously unheard of "AutoTune" thing, and they started asking questions/objecting.
He explained: "We can do this 3 ways. 1) The honest/expensive/excellent way: we'll keep doing takes until they're perfect. 2) The honest/cheap/ok way: we'll settle for good takes, but the record won't sound as good. 3) The cheating/cheap/excellent way: we use AutoTune, the record sounds great, and you can save a bunch of money up for the next one when you can afford to be honest."
In that instance, his total honesty made the decision pretty easy, and it is still the explanation I give if people are wanting pitch-correction.

[HIGHENDONLY]

" i know i have a great voice but do you think im pretty enough to make it" YES down goes the zipper

[bartrose]

Well before I got Pro Tools, I told a few folks over the phone "Yes, we have Bro Tools". Now that's funny s***.

[camerondye]

My favorite "fib" is to my wife which she doesn't even start to believe anymore

"This is going to be the last piece of equipment I'm gonna need...seriously"

I now just get a look when I say that, one day I might learn...
Cameron

[ntimkovich]

go talk to a car salesman, and he'll teach you every lie in the book.

"i'm not supposed to do this, but i'll make an exception for you..."

[daryllh]

(asked if I like the songs)

'I do. I'm serious, the studio doesn't pay me enough to lie, man'

[PRobb]

Not quite lies:

I can't tell you how much I like your music.

Wow, nobody plays it like that anymore.

You've done it again!

That was an interesting performance.


And my favorite- Of all the sessions I have ever done, this has certainly been the most recent!
Thank you. It's been a pressure working against you.

[GearHunter]

Originally Posted by PRobb

Not quite lies:

I can't tell you how much I like your music.

Wow, nobody plays it like that anymore.

You've done it again!

That was an interesting performance.


And my favorite- Of all the sessions I have ever done, this has certainly been the most recent!
Thank you. It's been a pressure working against you.

If I told you you had a nice body, would you hold it against me?

Wow. That is SOME voice you've got there!

Of all the girls I've ever dated, you are certainly one of them!

[manofsong]

I never owned any of the studios I worked out of, just ran them or engineered out of them -- even if I was the only guy who ever worked there, or the only guy making that studio's name. But early on, I realized that clients' positive images of you would wane instantly if they found out you weren't the guy who owned all the flashy lights and stuff. So sometimes my white lie would be (and only if I could *feel* the client getting ready to dismiss me, ok?):

"Yeah, this is my studio."

-or if I was feeling extra-guilty that day-

"I have a partner."

-or-

"Yeah, this is my gear."

-or if I was feeling extra-guilty that day-

"Actually, I only own *some* of this gear. After all, I want to make *some* money in the music business, you know?" (and then laughter usually)

The white lies kept the clients inspired and happy. Which was kind of a sad reality.

[numrologst]

someone started a rumour that nirvana, elliot smith, and ben folds recorded on my board.

So when everyone asks me, I am always like "Yeah that's what I've been told"

[Mosby]

"This works everytime....."



The sad part is that everytime I say this to try to sell the artist on a technique, sound etc... whatever... is that it really does work.