Future career?

pasnu · 19th November 2011

Sorry if I posted this question in the wrong place, but here is the question,
do you think that a recording and mixing engineer is going to be an actual career in the future, or is it fading and everybody will produce their own songs?

Funcoot · 19th November 2011

I hope so.

Although, it does appear that there are more bands recording themselves and it looks like it is going to continue to work that way.

On the other hand, people will never stop paying for brands (or names in this case), and you'll probably always have bands that have no clue what they're doing technically wise, so they'll have no choice but to pay somebody to help them.

Be aware that my opinion holds no water.

stevens119 · 19th November 2011

There will always be somebody who does something better than somebody else. People use mixing engineers because they mix better than everybody else. Recording engineers to, because they record better than they do. If everybody had superhuman hearing ears and could mix like a madman, then anybody could be a mix engineer.

If your question is, are more people mixing and recording their own stuff, now that most people can afford it? Yes. Are most "real" records still being made by people that now what they are doing? Also, a yes. There is the occasional, I recorded this in my bedroom, and now it's on the radio thing happening. But those are few and far between.

For example, You can build a guitar yourself. It probably won't come out great if you don't know what you're doing though. An experienced luthier could make you a better guitar, in less time than it took you to build yours, and make it look, sound, and play better. Never underestimate the power of skills

MarkRB · 19th November 2011

There seems to be a growth of "producers" on records these days.

Most pop major label projects I work on start off as great recordings, but then get sent around a handful of "in favour" producers who stick pianos and shakers on until someone (presumably A&R Dude) goes "YES! That's It. Exactly the generic current sound I was after!"

This then gets sent to the most expensive guy you can possibly afford to mix and bingo bango, fifty grand later you have a hit.

kritter · 19th November 2011

Good topic, in the sense of music I think it seems like it is fading away and becoming way more accessible to record a professional master at home if one knows what they are doing.

From the studios I have been to, not that it's heaps maybe 10 or 11, but the guys (god bless em) are generally old, run down and really trying to make ends meet whilst looking for "interns" or such as they can only afford low wages. Of course the ones with the big contracts will stick around for now, but with the rise of technology becoming more accessible and more engineers being able to access this, and younger, new innovative ideas, this may cause a real wave over the industry and change the way it has been for the past 20 years

oldeanalogueguy · 19th November 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasnu

Sorry if I posted this question in the wrong place, but here is the question,
do you think that a recording and mixing engineer is going to be an actual career in the future, or is it fading and everybody will produce their own songs?

there will be a lot fewer of them
and many more folks trying to get those jobs

pay will continue to drop drop drop and sink like a rock
just like pro photogs who fight uncle bob doing free weddings
and team moms shooting the sports pix
also the megamarts with their $10 special for portraits

digital has changed the world and lowered the value of many jobs when everybody can afford good enough gear to diy

FilmNMusicman · 19th November 2011

From a guy who started in music and made the move to post-production I'd say that if you want a career and need to support a family I'd say being an engineer on the post side is more what you'll need.

Though I may not get to enjoy hanging with famous artists or rappers, or kick it near an SSL listening to whats gonna be the next hit on the radio, I have to say it's less stressful and in turn more fun to get to eat something other than Ramen and wonder if the studio will be open for another full week so I can make rent.

Technically things are shrinking and costs are getting cut, but obviously, on the creative side things are as they always were.

drBill · 19th November 2011

There will always be opportunities, but the industry is CONTRACTING financially. Smaller and no budget projects abound, decent budgets are getting rarer than hens teeth. Add to that that now there are hundreds of colleges and universities with recording arts programs. Used to be the only way to learn was to apprentice. Those days are fast dissappearing. One thing is for sure, to start a career now, you will need to think outside the box, be very creative and find a unique path that is yours alone to follow. If you're looking to copy the way things have been in the past, you'll be living in a cardboard box down by the river.....

andychamp · 19th November 2011

As long as there are artists striving for originality there will be work for pros.
While the tools affordable for the general public keep getting better, they have a way of making everyone sound the same. Presets and creativity are mutually exclusive, IMO.

Jack P · 19th November 2011

Let me consult the crystal ball.

Ernest Buckley · 19th November 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasnu

Sorry if I posted this question in the wrong place, but here is the question,
do you think that a recording and mixing engineer is going to be an actual career in the future, or is it fading and everybody will produce their own songs?

The field is changing, not dying. There will always be a need for professional mixers and MEs. You will see more and more mixers offering their services via internet... artists/bands will upload their tracks and have them mixed by the pros. Same for mastering. We have seen this for years, it will only expand now.

You will also see/hear more crappy music being produced because everyone can get their hands on the tools necessary to "produce" their own material. Nothing new there either, its been going on for a decade now.

locosoundman · 19th November 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevens119

There is the occasional, I recorded this in my bedroom, and now it's on the radio thing happening. But those are few and far between.

Radio? What's that?

FloorFiller23 · 19th November 2011

I sure hope so...

So many "musicians" are making music because the tools needed are more accessible than ever...same for mixing, mastering, etc.

that doesn't mean every act should be mixing their own records or that they will ever do it WELL. Learn what you can but realize there are people out there with a true gift to engineer...

With that said, there are a small number of really talented "do everything" musicians...unfortunately every musician these days feels they are part of this select group.

19th November 2011	#1
pasnu Gear interested Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 4 Thread Starter	Future career? Sorry if I posted this question in the wrong place, but here is the question, do you think that a recording and mixing engineer is going to be an actual career in the future, or is it fading and everybody will produce their own songs?

19th November 2011	#8
drBill Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 11,514	There will always be opportunities, but the industry is CONTRACTING financially. Smaller and no budget projects abound, decent budgets are getting rarer than hens teeth. Add to that that now there are hundreds of colleges and universities with recording arts programs. Used to be the only way to learn was to apprentice. Those days are fast dissappearing. One thing is for sure, to start a career now, you will need to think outside the box, be very creative and find a unique path that is yours alone to follow. If you're looking to copy the way things have been in the past, you'll be living in a cardboard box down by the river..... __________________ Mindseye http://www.mindseyeprod.com IMDB Composer - Orchestrator Scoring & Mix Engineer - Music Editor

19th November 2011	#9
andychamp Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Location: Basel, Switzerland Posts: 2,873	As long as there are artists striving for originality there will be work for pros. While the tools affordable for the general public keep getting better, they have a way of making everyone sound the same. Presets and creativity are mutually exclusive, IMO. __________________ André ___________________________________________ "Recording exactly what a musician hears turns out to be a really big deal." Bob Olhsson "Who cares about efficiency, when we're talking about music?" Rupert Neve "it'll sound different through a microphone, anyway" Keith Carlock "no room, no boom!" Michael Wagener

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19th November 2011	#2
Funcoot Gear interested Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 7	I hope so. Although, it does appear that there are more bands recording themselves and it looks like it is going to continue to work that way. On the other hand, people will never stop paying for brands (or names in this case), and you'll probably always have bands that have no clue what they're doing technically wise, so they'll have no choice but to pay somebody to help them. Be aware that my opinion holds no water.

19th November 2011	#3
stevens119 Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville Posts: 1,137	There will always be somebody who does something better than somebody else. People use mixing engineers because they mix better than everybody else. Recording engineers to, because they record better than they do. If everybody had superhuman hearing ears and could mix like a madman, then anybody could be a mix engineer. If your question is, are more people mixing and recording their own stuff, now that most people can afford it? Yes. Are most "real" records still being made by people that now what they are doing? Also, a yes. There is the occasional, I recorded this in my bedroom, and now it's on the radio thing happening. But those are few and far between. For example, You can build a guitar yourself. It probably won't come out great if you don't know what you're doing though. An experienced luthier could make you a better guitar, in less time than it took you to build yours, and make it look, sound, and play better. Never underestimate the power of skills

19th November 2011	#4
MarkRB Banned Joined: Aug 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 2,551	There seems to be a growth of "producers" on records these days. Most pop major label projects I work on start off as great recordings, but then get sent around a handful of "in favour" producers who stick pianos and shakers on until someone (presumably A&R Dude) goes "YES! That's It. Exactly the generic current sound I was after!" This then gets sent to the most expensive guy you can possibly afford to mix and bingo bango, fifty grand later you have a hit.

19th November 2011	#5
kritter Gear Head Joined: May 2010 Location: Victoria, AUS Posts: 52 1 Review written	Good topic, in the sense of music I think it seems like it is fading away and becoming way more accessible to record a professional master at home if one knows what they are doing. From the studios I have been to, not that it's heaps maybe 10 or 11, but the guys (god bless em) are generally old, run down and really trying to make ends meet whilst looking for "interns" or such as they can only afford low wages. Of course the ones with the big contracts will stick around for now, but with the rise of technology becoming more accessible and more engineers being able to access this, and younger, new innovative ideas, this may cause a real wave over the industry and change the way it has been for the past 20 years

19th November 2011	#7
FilmNMusicman Gear addict Joined: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 388	From a guy who started in music and made the move to post-production I'd say that if you want a career and need to support a family I'd say being an engineer on the post side is more what you'll need. Though I may not get to enjoy hanging with famous artists or rappers, or kick it near an SSL listening to whats gonna be the next hit on the radio, I have to say it's less stressful and in turn more fun to get to eat something other than Ramen and wonder if the studio will be open for another full week so I can make rent. Technically things are shrinking and costs are getting cut, but obviously, on the creative side things are as they always were.

19th November 2011	#10
Jack P Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 963	Let me consult the crystal ball.

19th November 2011	#13
FloorFiller23 Gear interested Joined: Dec 2010 Location: California Posts: 14	I sure hope so... So many "musicians" are making music because the tools needed are more accessible than ever...same for mixing, mastering, etc. that doesn't mean every act should be mixing their own records or that they will ever do it WELL. Learn what you can but realize there are people out there with a true gift to engineer... With that said, there are a small number of really talented "do everything" musicians...unfortunately every musician these days feels they are part of this select group.