Recording Teen bands

[4 the Max]

A high school senior, in consultation with his parents, became an intern in my studio. He agreed to work for free in return for me teaching him live and studio audio production. I am also a licensed High School science teacher besides doing audio/video/photo after school/weekends so I am used to teaching besides doing the job.

I want to be fair to my intern so I am asking some feedback from forum members. Besides making a deal between us, I'd like some perspective about what others in the trade might do :

1. The intern knows a lot of bands whose members are high school students in many genres (metal, rock, blues, etc.) What commission might he get per band that he brings in? He wanted $20 per band.

2. Do I charge high school kid bands normal rate ($50/hour) or a discount since they're high school kids? (I don't want to find out later on that their parents are loaded when I only charged them $25/hour) I have a ProTools HD1 system with UAD quad card. I have very nice (and expensive, studio quality) mic pres and mics. My tracking room has been acoustically engineered and treated; it's not just a bedroom or basement "home studio" with some foam on the walls.

3. I intend to include something for their parents to sign if they are under 18.

Thanks.

[psycho_monkey]

1 - $20/band seems pretty low, but if that's what he's happy with...exceed it so he's REALLY happy.

2 - Charge them what you want. Can you afford to charge $25/hr? Will you resent it if they're not the perfect client for that fee? Remember, inexperienced bands (particularly ones doing things on the cheap) can be the biggest headaches.

3 - In the current day and age, I'd make sure there's an adult present any time you've got under 18s there.

[therealbigd]

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

2 - Charge them what you want. Can you afford to charge $25/hr? Will you resent it if they're not the perfect client for that fee? Remember, inexperienced bands (particularly ones doing things on the cheap) can be the biggest headaches.

They are always the worst.

For bands with no money, just charge nothing, not a little. Because if you charge nothing, there's nothing to stop you phoning them at 0830 for a 0900 start to say 'don't bother coming back, I can't be arsed with your ego battles and closed-ear syndrome any longer'. Then find alternative things to charge them for, make your money burning the CD-Rs for $4 each with $1 for a plastic wallet or something.

[Dominion28]

As someone who deals a lot with school bands

1 - If he's bringing you clients and he's only asking for $20 per band, give him $30 or $40. He'll be over the moon and will go well out of his way to bring you more business.

2 - It's up to you. I try to encourage younger bands to track things together (live) and then record vocals sepperately. That way they're gonna end up with a tighter performance and spend less money. If they're on a very tight budget (which most schoolies will be) then clock watching will only make them nervous, but will make them f**k up, creating poorer responses, and negative impressions of recording (and less likely to come back next time they have a few $hundred spare).

If of course you feel like the extra hastle of working with younger bands warrants the normal rates then by all means charge that.

3 - Consent forms I'd recommend for younger bands. Try and keep another over 18 around, but getting yourself the US equavalent of a disclosure certificate would help to ease parents minds (which you'll probably have since you're a teacher )

Remember your arrangement re: teaching your intern is already delt with (teaching in exchange for free labour). Any extras for promoting the studio really should be worked out sepperately. Remember his age, a gentlemen's agreement really should suffice.

[frans]

1. He wanted $20 per band - give him 40. Make a list of questions and have the intern talk things through with the band in phase one before you meet them.

2. Charge your normal rate. Have them track live and overdub vocals because everything else they are probably not comfortable with and it will be a gross misrepresentation of what they are as a band anyway.
The money, here's why:

A)All the same rate! If band "x" hears you recorded band "y" for a lower rate it will fall back on you. Let the intern check if the parents pay (1=one of the questions..) Then just let them have more time. I had a few bands here where parents decided their kids rather have an expensive but disciplining hobby than waste time with playstations/drugs/guns and they appreciate the additional lessons I give them.
B) Kids, if they have no own income, have no real grasp of value and work. If you charge too little, your services are "worth nothing" - recording their band should be special and cheap is not special, just cheap.

3. I intend to include something for their parents to sign if they are under 18. =Totally.
Remove all pinup calendars if their mom is going to drop them at your place ;-)
4. Maybe have mom bring cake or catering. Mothers are good at these things. One high school band even led to recording the fathers band, as he was pleased with what and how and all.

5. Watch out for lonely single mothers. They are hungry. Tell them you are a priest or you're not able to perform since your accident with that circular saw...

6. I had school bands where the headmaster actually paid from school's money for the recordings! They love to spark dedication in kids - if not for math or school stuff, then for something else.

7. for best results, use real amps and not their s-hy-te modelling/transistor junk. Don't let them dial in the wrong sounds. It will fall back on you.

[AstralPStudios]

Everyone has pretty much said what I was going to say. Pay him more if he's doing a great job. Personally, I'd be willing to give 10%, let's just say it's a $1,000 project, he gets 100.

Considering he's bringing you work, that's completely fair (I've got a 10% finders fee with some other audio guys I know and vice versa) and as others have said, it would cause him to become overjoyed and continue striving to do his best and that's what matters most is that he's happy and pursuing his goals and as a teacher you should promote that environment to him.

Encourage him, teach him and stress to him that honesty is the best policy in regards to production, keep your ego at the door and be professional at all times.

I think what you're doing is great and I have a lot of respect for you for breaking from the norm and paying him. He's bringing you work and working for you, he should be paid.

5. Watch out for lonely single mothers. They are hungry. Tell them you are a priest or you're not able to perform since your accident with that circular saw...

LOL!