assistance for local musicians!! do you qualify??? WTF???

[Malcolm Boyce]

So I sometimes wonder if it's just me, but stuff like this pushes my buttons as one of the things wrong with this business. I found this posting on my favourite other local board, and right off the bat, the "Spam-Lure" title of the thread set me off, and then it got worse.

Radio Master recording studio offering rates of only $25 per hour.
Not trying to make a living. Just having fun working with local musicians. Perfect for local sale of cd's and demo's for major labels.
20 years experience dealing with major labels.

Also, looking for bands to manage and promote.

Contact Derrick @ 639-8907

Further down the page after I asked seriously:

Do "Major Labels" in Canada still accept unsolicited "demos"?

At times major labels do accept demos. You need ro know who to contact. In a case that they don't accept demos, you must make sure you create a very large buzz. Indie labels quite often lead to the majors. This is where we may be able to help. Our rates are very low. We want to promote and assist local talent.

This pitch is wrong for so many reasons.

Before I go any further, does anyone else smell anything coming from this?

[Mathieu Benoit]

I need assistance.. Can I call the number? I could have a lot of fun with this...

[roachie]

Who's runnin' the joint?

[Malcolm Boyce]

Who's runnin' the joint?

D. Barr... The D of the former "D&H" music.

[Alain Benoit]

Hope he has better luck with this than he did with his stores.

I believe he has been openned for a while since I've seen his studio listed on GC for a long while now.

I wish he had a website so one could peek at a client and gear list.

Also found this one while browsing that thread.

[Mathieu Benoit]

Also found this one while browsing that thread.

The Rates

Recording and Mixing:
- Demos at $20 per song
- Single Tracks at $5 per track

Um... could someone please elaborate on what this means? Do people really charge their clients in this manner?

[Malcolm Boyce]

The Rates

Recording and Mixing:
- Demos at $20 per song
- Single Tracks at $5 per track

Um... could someone please elaborate on what this means? Do people really charge their clients in this manner?

I'll answer the last question first... No one with any serious amount of experience.

And for the first question, it's pretty self explanatory. From what I've read, I really believe this guy has good intentions with his studio, and makes no bones about saying he's just doing it small time. Some of his promotion method leaves a little to be desired. I think he's got a real "day job" and does this as a musical outlet.

His assumption that the other guy has equally good intentions is, well, you know where I'm going...

This subject goes back to my post about people assuming that quality recording in this market is "expensive". They have no concept, because most of them haven't even asked for book rates. I know this about DBARR because he stresses how low his rates are for what he describes as "Not trying to make a living. Just having fun working with local musicians." I'd have a hard time asking for $25HR for "having fun". Who's having the fun? He is!

[roachie]

I've always wanted to record in a "baseman".

[Malcolm Boyce]

I've always wanted to record in a "baseman".

Spellcheck is your friend...

[Mathieu Benoit]

Cables:
- tones of XLR and 1/4 inch cables available.

Speaking of spellcheck... Malcolm what sort of "tone" variations can you get out of your cables?

[Mathieu Benoit]

The Rates

Recording and Mixing:
- Demos at $20 per song
- Single Tracks at $5 per track

Um... could someone please elaborate on what this means? Do people really charge their clients in this manner?

I'll answer the last question first... No one with any serious amount of experience.

And for the first question, it's pretty self explanatory. From what I've read, I really believe this guy has good intentions with his studio, and makes no bones about saying he's just doing it small time. Some of his promotion method leaves a little to be desired. I think he's got a real "day job" and does this as a musical outlet.

His assumption that the other guy has equally good intentions is, well, you know where I'm going...

This subject goes back to my post about people assuming that quality recording in this market is "expensive". They have no concept, because most of them haven't even asked for book rates. I know this about DBARR because he stresses how low his rates are for what he describes as "Not trying to make a living. Just having fun working with local musicians." I'd have a hard time asking for $25HR for "having fun". Who's having the fun? He is!

I just found those rates really ambiguous. This sounds good though. When prospective clients are uncomfortable with our rates, I'm glad that I can offer them alternatives, at a very "competitive" rate.

[Malcolm Boyce]

Cables:
- tones of XLR and 1/4 inch cables available.

Speaking of spellcheck... Malcolm what sort of "tone" variations can you get out of your cables?

...saw that one too...

[clinton]

are you guys always like this? ...what's wrong with people doing what they can to make music? I applaud Dave at Headbanger Studios for offering affordable and fun recording experiences for those can't afford to go to the pros (which I guess must be you guys).

[Mathieu Benoit]

are you guys always like this? ...what's wrong with people doing what they can to make music? I applaud Dave at Headbanger Studios for offering affordable and fun recording experiences for those can't afford to go to the pros (which I guess must be you guys).

I agree with you. Like I said in my last statement, it's good that there are alternatives to facilities like ours that can be out of the budget range of some. This way people that need recording services but can't afford bigger studios still have a place to go.

I just found the rates a bit confusing and ambiguous.

[Malcolm Boyce]

are you guys always like this? ...what's wrong with people doing what they can to make music? I applaud Dave at Headbanger Studios for offering affordable and fun recording experiences for those can't afford to go to the pros (which I guess must you guys).

Hey Clinton. I don't think he's doing anything wrong... except the spell check thing...

I'm assuming you were including me in your first line, so what exactly do you mean? I was commenting on DBARR's posting in a negative way, but with respect to "Headbanger" I believe he is doing something legit. In fact I would like to see someone like him here to hang with us. I would hope he would know about this place, and I would hope he would want to be part of the community.

I merely question DBARR's motives, based on the content of his message and the involvement in the community. I don't question "Headbanger's" motives, and I think he gives too much credit by giving kudos to DBARR for having the best interests of the local music scene at heart.

Tell Headbanger Dave to join us... I'm sure Andrew would agree that we'd love to have him here.

BTW, I'm stupid affordable, and "PRO", so you can get a two for one if you're interested... Mind you, not $25/Song... What if it's a really BIG song? Also, as has been mentioned here before, "budget" recording is what is done in this market... even at the "higher end" of the scale.

I'm so glad you joined in here Clinton... You've got your finger on the pulse, and you're not afraid to talk about it. Thanks for popping in.

[clinton]

naw, I wasn't referring to you specifically , just the general feel of things on here seem to have this negative undertone (I know, know, I can leave then..yaddi yaddi yadda).

Thanks for the welcome, I wasn't sure if my presence here was a welcome one actually, so that's really cool to hear. Recording is something

I've been slowly learning about recording over the years and it's soemthing that has been a constant struggle with my various projects. I've been trying to dissect my favourite records and figure out why they sound the way they do and how I can mimic these sounds. Ultimately though, after doing enough recording and being in the music game for longer than I'd like to admit, you realize it's gotta be a good time to really be worth doing. That's the only point I was trying to make....

-clinton

[Malcolm Boyce]

naw, I wasn't referring to you specifically , just the general feel of things on here seem to have this negative undertone (I know, know, I can leave then..yaddi yaddi yadda).

Not true... I will do whatever I have to do to improve everyone's perception of the tone of this place, and the "welcoming" atmosphere... Even if it means banning everyone who has joined thus far...

...I've been trying to dissect my favourite records and figure out why they sound the way they do and how I can mimic these sounds. Ultimately though, after doing enough recording and being in the music game for longer than I'd like to admit, you realize it's gotta be a good time to really be worth doing. That's the only point I was trying to make....

You just described everything you need to know... Try and make records that YOU would like if they weren't your own, and have a good time making them... At least most of the time.

[Malcolm Boyce]

BTW Clinton... I just listened to "'Til We Both Said Goodbye". Nice work. I enjoyed it, and I think it's a fab sounding demo. Especially knowing the price... He's doing a really good job of capturing stuff, and not screwing around with his, and your time.

[clinton]

hey thanks man. Recording that was a blast. Dave had this "we're all in it together" mentality and both Adam and I commented on what a blast doing that tune was. Plus his house smells of Febreeze...

[Mathieu Benoit]

Mmmm....Febreeze...

I like Febreeze.