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March 27, 2009
We’re All On the Same Team
Recently I was hired to produce a demo for a songwriter. Usually, this is not a very complex operation. I receive a rough demo from the writer, create a track in the studio, bring in other musicians to play on the track, bring in a singer to sing the song, play it for the songwriter, tweak it a little, and that’s it.
Sometimes, however, we hit a few bumps in the road. This particular project seemed to hit more than its share.
Production was constantly delayed for one reason or another, and we encountered scheduling problems with our singer.
To make a long story short (and to employ a cliché, which I usually avoid like the plague) the end result was a songwriter who was not completely satisfied with the demo we ended up producing.
So, what did we do? We did not have the time or budget to start over, but we did have a pretty good instrumental track. We ended up turning the project over to another producer, a friend of ours based in Nashville, and they will produce a new vocal.
I know they will do what they can to make our client happy.
Occasionally, someone will tell me about another recording studio in town. We have been in business for 19 years now, and have seen many of them come and go. I’ve even heard that some of these studio owners were “putting down” our particular operation, saying things like “They charge too much, its just a bedroom set-up, we’ve got more equipment,” etc. (Somehow they think that statements like that will never reach me!)
My response? None.
I have learned to view the other studios, whether they are “storefront” studios in a stand-alone office space, or “home-based project studios” like mine, as possible collaborators, not competitors.
We’re all on the same team!
Posted by leonolguin at March 27, 2009 11:20 AM
Comments
You are SUCH a nice guy Leon! Sorry to hear about the demo not working out...it must have been a demo for a GUY song...cause you didn't call ME to do the vocals...ha! ~blessings, Pam
Posted by: Pam Jacobs at April 1, 2009 05:42 PM