value of having a big console

[plus6vu]

I know that this has been covered at least once, but I can't find the thread.

I've been running a remote recording business for a long time, buying good gear and building a small studio the past few years. Now I'm within striking distance of having at least a functional studio for my clients to use. It's modest, but it will do for most of their needs.

I want to also attract new clients, do the website, etc.

I do not have a console. Well, actually I have a couple of small ones, but nothing impressive - think Midas Venice or the like. I have heard the arguments about sound quality, work flow, etc. regarding ITB vs. OTB and I don't want to go there with this thread.

I have enough quality pre's and am slowly acquiring some decent analog eq's, compressors, etc. so I can have some alternatives to completely mixing with plug-ins. I don't really need a console for what I plan to do right away. Just to be clear, I learned on a big, nice console and love using them, so yes, I am familiar, etc. Again, that's not what I want to talk about.

I mostly do classical and jazz, but I'm comfortable with a number of genres and I know that I'll need to vary the business if I want to stay in business. My interest lies mostly with acoustic stuff, but the electronic stuff doesn't scare me.

My real question is, how much is a big console worth in terms of getting clients? There is the "wow" factor mostly, I think. I know there's also the "you're not a real studio without a desk" factor.

So, how many of you out there are making a living in studios without big/big name consoles? Has it hurt your business? What is your response to clients or potential clients that ask about your not having one?

Thanks!
Scott

[drBill]

Originally Posted by plus6vu

My real question is, how much is a big console worth in terms of getting clients?

Scott - the ONLY thing that's going to get you clients is you. Beginning of story, end of story.

How you treat customers
How good your ears are
How deep your credits are
How much experience you have
etc.

That's really it. That said, a console, if it's a big one, tells people that you're serious and can prop up cred that is sagging a bit. It's that little push over the top when someone is not quite sure. It's audio sex, pure and simple. And sex sells, but these days, it's nowhere near a requirement. It DOES differentiate your studio from theirs though, and that's an important thing as well.

Personally, I'll always have a console, be it an analog one or a worksurface. The workflow is important to me. Sonics come secondary.

[plus6vu]

Thanks DrBill. I appreciate your input.

My business has done well for what it is. The bills keep paid, all of my clients are repeat clients and I get one or two new ones each year. So, for what I am currently doing, I suppose I'm doing something right.

I am hoping to add the studio to my current list of services and have a few clients that are ready to come in to work when I'm ready for them. Some of these folks are known in their field, but none are national. Most are classical, educational, etc. I have a few friends that I can likely coax in to help get the ball rolling, but even then I have to wonder when they tell their friends that go to the website to see the studio or even come visit, what do they tell themselves?

Don't get me wrong, if the funds are ever available, I'll have a nice console. Like I said, I've worked with them and like that workflow, but that will be a few years down the road.

Reputation is certainly a huge plus, but people are people and they have expectations of what a studio should look like. I'm wondering if anyone has had clients go elsewhere because their studio didn't have the "feel" of a studio since there was no big console.

So, I'm still wondering if there is anyone out there making a living in a studio that is without the eye candy of a big console.

Thanks again,
Scott

[DITN]

You've got to factor in the negative of owning a console - enormous energy bills, air con bills, maintenance, recalls (more of a nightmare for your assistant!) and the like.

If you're okay with the downsides then I think that having a console will bring you vast improvements in your workflow, and arguably sonically too. Tough call, IMO. I know if I had the funds and the client base I'd grab a console.

Also, have you considered the "wow" factor for yourself? I find working with a console everyday infinitely more inspiring than working ITB, even with tasty outboard everywhere.

[oldeanalogueguy]

Originally Posted by plus6vu

I know that this has been covered at least once, but I can't find the thread.

I've been running a remote recording business for a long time, buying good gear and building a small studio the past few years. Now I'm within striking distance of having at least a functional studio for my clients to use. It's modest, but it will do for most of their needs.

I want to also attract new clients, do the website, etc.

I do not have a console. Well, actually I have a couple of small ones, but nothing impressive - think Midas Venice or the like. I have heard the arguments about sound quality, work flow, etc. regarding ITB vs. OTB and I don't want to go there with this thread.

I have enough quality pre's and am slowly acquiring some decent analog eq's, compressors, etc. so I can have some alternatives to completely mixing with plug-ins. I don't really need a console for what I plan to do right away. Just to be clear, I learned on a big, nice console and love using them, so yes, I am familiar, etc. Again, that's not what I want to talk about.

I mostly do classical and jazz, but I'm comfortable with a number of genres and I know that I'll need to vary the business if I want to stay in business. My interest lies mostly with acoustic stuff, but the electronic stuff doesn't scare me.

My real question is, how much is a big console worth in terms of getting clients? There is the "wow" factor mostly, I think. I know there's also the "you're not a real studio without a desk" factor.

So, how many of you out there are making a living in studios without big/big name consoles? Has it hurt your business? What is your response to clients or potential clients that ask about your not having one?

Thanks!
Scott

i knew one that had a humongous 64 channel desk
that did nto work
never used it
except to impress people who saw it
also had one pc with a logo of pro tools
but for real use he had sonar
pt logo was again to impress people

once impressed they listened to his results
not judge him on what gear he had

[drBill]

Originally Posted by oldeanalogueguy

i knew one that had a humongous 64 channel desk
that did nto work
never used it

I've done lots of sessions where the console wasn't even turned on. No one seemed to notice. lol Well....occasionally they did. I always make sure it's blazing for new clients....

[MTStudios]

How old are your clients and what have their experiences in studios been like?

Here most people around my age don't expect or care for a console. Most studios run Pro Tools HD and that's what they expect, there's one studio with an SSL and a few studios running little tridents/soundtracs/etc between 24 and 30something channels.

Here the two most important/impressive things are probably separate control/tracking room and a nice couch. Oh and coffee, having a coffee machine is a huge plus.

Have you asked your potential clients what they think?

[plus6vu]

Originally Posted by oldeanalogueguy

i knew one that had a humongous 64 channel desk
that did nto work
never used it
except to impress people who saw it
also had one pc with a logo of pro tools
but for real use he had sonar
pt logo was again to impress people

once impressed they listened to his results
not judge him on what gear he had

That's what I'd heard from a few people that have a desk. It's there, but they rarely use it except for tracking, maybe.

But, I suppose it got people into the door long enough to get them working.

Scott

[plus6vu]

Originally Posted by drBill

I've done lots of sessions where the console wasn't even turned on. No one seemed to notice. lol Well....occasionally they did. I always make sure it's blazing for new clients....

That's what I was wondering. I had thoughts of getting one that was at least useable, that maybe needed some attention, but mostly having it as eye candy for new clients.

Scott

[plus6vu]

Originally Posted by MTStudios

How old are your clients and what have their experiences in studios been like?

Here most people around my age don't expect or care for a console. Most studios run Pro Tools HD and that's what they expect, there's one studio with an SSL and a few studios running little tridents/soundtracs/etc between 24 and 30something channels.

Here the two most important/impressive things are probably separate control/tracking room and a nice couch. Oh and coffee, having a coffee machine is a huge plus.

Have you asked your potential clients what they think?

My current clients are from my live recording business and vary in age from 30-70. They rarely even come out here. When they do, they're generally impressed that I have a "real" post room and I'm not working out of an extra bedroom with Sonex stapled to the walls.

I'm looking at bringing in some different music styles and I'm trying to figure out what I'll need to do that.

Scott