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#1
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How do you guys deal with dumb callers?
I know this message will offend some people, but I just have to get some
insight on how studio owners deal with call after call from idiots?!?!?! So, don't get mad at me for being impatient with ignorant people, I'm trying to learn how to better deal with it. Typical call (at least once a day): Me: Hello, Boogie Tracks. Them: Hi, how much does it cost to make a demo? Me: What are you wanting to do? Them: I just need a demo, I have a friend that has a brother that rented a car to a guy that carried the groceries for a guy that works security at Sony Records, so I need to send him a demo. Me: Ok, so, what do you need to do. Them: I've got a couple songs I need to record, to send to... (see above answer). Me: Ok, so you are a singer? And you have written 2 songs? Them: Yeah Me: Is it just you and a guitar? Them: No, I just got the words, I need the music. Me: So, really, you have half a song? Them: No, I've written 2 songs, I just need the music. Do you got the music there? Me: No, I don't have the music here. You need the other half of the song written, or a chord chart, or even just tell me the chords and we'll hire a guitar player or piano player, whatever you want to play it. Them: Well, I got it in my head, I don't need anyone screwing up the song I wrote. Me: Ok, so what do you want to do? Them: How much does it cost to make a demo? etc............ So you see where this is going? I'm sure I'm not the only one getting all of these calls. What do you guys do? I'm the most expensive guy in town (in hopes of deterring amatures so they will go to the home studios around here) but it doesn't work! I know this makes me sound like an ass, but I'm really starting to lose it. Thanks for the help. JJ |
#2
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Druhms wrote:
So you see where this is going? I'm sure I'm not the only one getting all of these calls. What do you guys do? I'm the most expensive guy in town (in hopes of deterring amatures so they will go to the home studios around here) but it doesn't work! I know this makes me sound like an ass, but I'm really starting to lose it. Go to Harvey Gerst's Indian Trail Studios site and look over the way he present info for musos. That might give some ideas. There is a point beyond which there is just no way to communicate successfully. "Hi, I want to build a bicycle, but I don't have a ladder". Etc. -- ha |
#3
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Don't you have a fixed rate for specific services? Would quoting those prices be
enough? If he's not ready, or doesn't really know what he wants to do, it's not your fault you can't provide an estimate. |
#4
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Them: Hi, how much does it cost to make a demo?
Me: About 5 thousand dollars... Them: (long pause) O.K. thank you... -- Steven Sena XS Sound Recording www.xssound.com "Druhms" wrote in message ... I know this message will offend some people, but I just have to get some insight on how studio owners deal with call after call from idiots?!?!?! So, don't get mad at me for being impatient with ignorant people, I'm trying to learn how to better deal with it. Typical call (at least once a day): Me: Hello, Boogie Tracks. Them: Hi, how much does it cost to make a demo? Me: What are you wanting to do? Them: I just need a demo, I have a friend that has a brother that rented a car to a guy that carried the groceries for a guy that works security at Sony Records, so I need to send him a demo. Me: Ok, so, what do you need to do. Them: I've got a couple songs I need to record, to send to... (see above answer). Me: Ok, so you are a singer? And you have written 2 songs? Them: Yeah Me: Is it just you and a guitar? Them: No, I just got the words, I need the music. Me: So, really, you have half a song? Them: No, I've written 2 songs, I just need the music. Do you got the music there? Me: No, I don't have the music here. You need the other half of the song written, or a chord chart, or even just tell me the chords and we'll hire a guitar player or piano player, whatever you want to play it. Them: Well, I got it in my head, I don't need anyone screwing up the song I wrote. Me: Ok, so what do you want to do? Them: How much does it cost to make a demo? etc............ So you see where this is going? I'm sure I'm not the only one getting all of these calls. What do you guys do? I'm the most expensive guy in town (in hopes of deterring amatures so they will go to the home studios around here) but it doesn't work! I know this makes me sound like an ass, but I'm really starting to lose it. Thanks for the help. JJ |
#5
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Steven Sena wrote:
Them: Hi, how much does it cost to make a demo? Me: About 5 thousand dollars... Them: (long pause) O.K. thank you... I do this. The problem is that sometimes the guys have the money. That is how I wound up miking a lawnmower. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
#6
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"Steven Sena" wrote in message
news:9mfdd.211640$wV.119115@attbi_s54... Them: Hi, how much does it cost to make a demo? Me: About 5 thousand dollars... Them: (long pause) O.K. thank you... LOL! --Nick |
#7
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"Scott Dorsey" wrote in message
... I do this. The problem is that sometimes the guys have the money. That is how I wound up miking a lawnmower. Okay, well, you can't just stop there. Now why exactly were you miking a lawn mower? --Nick |
#8
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Nick wrote:
"Scott Dorsey" wrote in message ... I do this. The problem is that sometimes the guys have the money. That is how I wound up miking a lawnmower. Okay, well, you can't just stop there. Now why exactly were you miking a lawn mower? Because it was part of the band, of course. They drove it around on stage for one song. Sort of like Georges Antheil, but different. Oh well, they paid on time.... --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
#9
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Well, I hope you at least kept the recording for sale as a sound effect.
;-) (Actually, it sounds like an interesting project to me.) -- Nick D. http://cultv.com http://ironia.net "Scott Dorsey" wrote in message ... Nick wrote: "Scott Dorsey" wrote in message ... I do this. The problem is that sometimes the guys have the money. That is how I wound up miking a lawnmower. Okay, well, you can't just stop there. Now why exactly were you miking a lawn mower? Because it was part of the band, of course. They drove it around on stage for one song. Sort of like Georges Antheil, but different. Oh well, they paid on time.... --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
#11
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I am doing a cheap demo for a local young hardcore band..5 songs..live
instruments, guitar and vocal overdubs. One 8 hour session, 1 3 hour guitar overdub..and a scheduled mix session..all of which was thouroghly discussed in the one hour consultation. Today..mix session..guitarist calls up..has the flu..tells me he thought they were just gonna come and pick up the final master. I told him..I did some editing but no mix..I thought the band wanted to be present. He told me to finish it. I spent 3 hours total editing and tweaking..plus a trip to my car. Called the guitarist to schedule a pickup..he's in bed..I talk to his mother and tell her they can pick up cd's tomorrow and they owe me for 3 hours. Someone else in the band's father calls me ...asking me how much more money I am going to try and get out of his kids band...threatens to call the Attorney General and then he says he's coming down to the studio. No contract..just verbal. Any ideas? John A. Chiara SOS Recording Studio Live Sound Inc. Albany, NY www.sosrecording.net 518-449-1637 |
#12
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Them: Hi, how much does it cost to make a demo?
Me: About 5 thousand dollars... Them: (long pause) O.K. thank you... I do this. The problem is that sometimes the guys have the money. That is how I wound up miking a lawnmower. --scott BRBR For 5 thousand dollars I'll mic a combine. -R |
#13
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"Blind Joni" wrote in message ... tomorrow and they owe me for 3 hours. Someone else in the band's father calls me ..asking me how much more money I am going to try and get out of his kids band...threatens to call the Attorney General and then he says he's coming down to the studio. No contract..just verbal. Any ideas? Tell him there is no contract each tiem you sit down at a restaurant but before you leave you are expected to pay for your goods... If that doesnt work - kick some ass... |
#14
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R Krizman wrote:
Them: Hi, how much does it cost to make a demo? Me: About 5 thousand dollars... Them: (long pause) O.K. thank you... I do this. The problem is that sometimes the guys have the money. That is how I wound up miking a lawnmower. --scott BRBR For 5 thousand dollars I'll mic a combine. -R Hell, for 5 large I'll mike someone passing gas! But they'll have to bring their own mic. And a can of Lysol.... |
#16
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"Kringe" wrote in message news:Sljdd.31931$bk1.14995@fed1read05... "Blind Joni" wrote in message ... tomorrow and they owe me for 3 hours. Someone else in the band's father calls me ..asking me how much more money I am going to try and get out of his kids band...threatens to call the Attorney General and then he says he's coming down to the studio. No contract..just verbal. Any ideas? Tell him there is no contract each tiem you sit down at a restaurant but before you leave you are expected to pay for your goods... If that doesnt work - kick some ass... Excellent thought, I'll try to use that often. ( the part about the restaurant is good too ;-) John L Rice |
#17
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Hi John,
That's a tough one. Are the band members minors, especially the guitarist? I don't know what the law says about verbal contracts with minors but I thought Kringe's comment was awesome about how restaurants don't have paper or verbal contracts ( or even statements or disclaimers that ordering food obligates you for the cost of goods and services etc ) but everyone over the age of 5 or 6 pretty much knows that restaurants an stores just don't give stuff to people without payment. I'd say have at least one decent sized friend over to watch your back and a phone ready at hand in case this 'angry dad' gets out of control and you need to call the police 'etc' but otherwise don't overly respond to his hostility, meaning don't back down just to get rid of him and don't get overly upset trying to out scream him. Calmly explain what took place as you did in your RAP post and that you explained to the band what your rates are. ( and your Rate Card on your site spells out what you expect to be paid ) Maybe at least very simple contracts would be a good idea in the future and recording all of your conversations and calls with clients ( with their permission of course ) might be a good idea too. Best of luck! John L Rice "Blind Joni" wrote in message ... I am doing a cheap demo for a local young hardcore band..5 songs..live instruments, guitar and vocal overdubs. One 8 hour session, 1 3 hour guitar overdub..and a scheduled mix session..all of which was thouroghly discussed in the one hour consultation. Today..mix session..guitarist calls up..has the flu..tells me he thought they were just gonna come and pick up the final master. I told him..I did some editing but no mix..I thought the band wanted to be present. He told me to finish it. I spent 3 hours total editing and tweaking..plus a trip to my car. Called the guitarist to schedule a pickup..he's in bed..I talk to his mother and tell her they can pick up cd's tomorrow and they owe me for 3 hours. Someone else in the band's father calls me ..asking me how much more money I am going to try and get out of his kids band...threatens to call the Attorney General and then he says he's coming down to the studio. No contract..just verbal. Any ideas? John A. Chiara SOS Recording Studio Live Sound Inc. Albany, NY www.sosrecording.net 518-449-1637 |
#18
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R Krizman wrote:
For 5 thousand dollars I'll mic a combine. It'd really **** up your lawn. -- ha |
#19
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That is how I wound up miking a lawnmower.
--scott For 5 thousand dollars I'll mic a combine. -R One time I recorded a Bulldozer! (well ok we claimed it was a bulldozer but it was really a backhoe). Worse than that was the song. "Dozerman and Didie Girl". A song about the man who (really) drove a bulldozer and his little daughter. Ouch. I did it as a favor for an old neighbor's good friend. The guy really thought he had written something great. The worst part is I did it for free. Picture these goofballs debating if they backhoe revved high enough in the intro or the middle or can I make it sound like it's driving away (Hey let's re record it driving away).... Yet this dude is singing "Dozerman and Didie Girl"... WOW! --------------------------------------- "I know enough to know I don't know enough" |
#20
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Typical call (at least once a day): Me: Hello, Boogie Tracks. Them: Hi, how much does it cost to make a demo? Me: What are you wanting to do? Them: I just need a demo, I have a friend that has a brother that rented a car to a guy that carried the groceries for a guy that works security at Sony Records, so I need to send him a demo. Quote your highest hourly price right here. If they're smart enough to try to negotiate then they will reveal whether or not they know anything about the recording business at all. If they want to chat, then tell them you can fit them in on Thursday for a consultation at 1/2 rate per hour. Stress how much money the consultation will save them in the long run. If they book it, great, if not, tell them you have to get back to a Very Important Session, and they wouldn't want someone interrupting their Very Important Session, now would they? Laugh, get their number if you care, and hang up. Otherwise it's a bit like asking a dealer in Las Vegas if you can play some hands for free to watch how the game is played. So you see where this is going? I'm sure I'm not the only one getting all of these calls. What do you guys do? I'm the most expensive guy in town (in hopes of deterring amatures so they will go to the home studios around here) but it doesn't work! I know this makes me sound like an ass, Nah, you're upping your standards. Up theirs. Kurt Riemann |
#21
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Tell him there is no contract each tiem you sit down at a restaurant but
before you leave you are expected to pay for your goods... If that doesnt work - kick some ass... I'm sure that when you go to a restarurant the person taking your order writes it down on there little pad, that makes it writen and likely quite legal. |
#22
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In article , EggHd
wrote: That is how I wound up miking a lawnmower. --scott One time I recorded a Bulldozer! (well ok we claimed it was a bulldozer but it was really a backhoe). We once did a multitrack avant-garde piece done exclusively with an electric can opener. The guy spent hours doing it and even had to go to a nearby store to buy a new one after burning out the motor of the one he brought. Amazingly, I do not still have a copy of it. (Amazingly, the Red Sox won again! If you never hear from me again, blame it on the upcoming Game 7.) David Correia Celebration Sound Warren, Rhode Island www.CelebrationSound.com |
#23
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Raymond wrote:
Tell him there is no contract each tiem you sit down at a restaurant but before you leave you are expected to pay for your goods... If that doesnt work - kick some ass... I'm sure that when you go to a restarurant the person taking your order writes it down on there little pad, that makes it writen and likely quite legal. An order scribbled on a notepad is certainly not a legal binding agreement. The waiter does not have me sign it. Sometime I wish they would have me sign it, that way I would be assured that my order is correct. -- Eric www.Raw-Tracks.com |
#24
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On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 13:04:09 -0400, Druhms wrote
(in article ): I know this message will offend some people, but I just have to get some insight on how studio owners deal with call after call from idiots?!?!?! So, don't get mad at me for being impatient with ignorant people, I'm trying to learn how to better deal with it. JJ, I just give 'em your number! Ty -- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric stuff are at www.tyford.com |
#25
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On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 17:07:18 -0400, Steven Sena wrote
(in article 9mfdd.211640$wV.119115@attbi_s54): Them: Hi, how much does it cost to make a demo? Me: About 5 thousand dollars... Them: (long pause) O.K. thank you... That'll work! Ty -- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric stuff are at www.tyford.com |
#26
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Tell him there is no contract each tiem you sit down at a restaurant
but before you leave you are expected to pay for your goods... Wrong analogy. The prices are printed on the menu. |
#27
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...asking me how much more money I am going to try and get
out of his kids' band... threatens to call the Attorney General and then he says he's coming down to the studio. No contract... just verbal. No contract? Major mistake. Especially when dealing with (I assume) minors. If the father stops by, don't get the least bit angry, regardless of how he behaves. Clearly describe the work performed, explain your usual rates, etc, etc. |
#28
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EggHd wrote:
Worse than that was the song. "Dozerman and Didie Girl". A song about the man who (really) drove a bulldozer and his little daughter. Ouch. I did it as a favor for an old neighbor's good friend. The guy really thought he had written something great. The worst part is I did it for free. You'd feel even worse about this if you had taken money. -- ha |
#29
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recording all of your conversations and calls with clients ( with their
permission of course ) I think there is not legal requirement to ask for permission, or inform, if you are a direct party to the conversation. Informing the caller/client for courtesy and scary purposes could be good. Depends upon the other person, don't ya know. J |
#30
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"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
... ...asking me how much more money I am going to try and get out of his kids' band... threatens to call the Attorney General and then he says he's coming down to the studio. No contract... just verbal. No contract? Major mistake. Especially when dealing with (I assume) minors. If the father stops by, don't get the least bit angry, regardless of how he behaves. Clearly describe the work performed, explain your usual rates, etc, etc. Minors can't sign a contract. Just sayin'. dtk |
#31
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Mitchell Benson wrote in message news:aOjdd.75632$tU4.1290@okepread06...
R Krizman wrote: Them: Hi, how much does it cost to make a demo? Me: About 5 thousand dollars... Them: (long pause) O.K. thank you... I do this. The problem is that sometimes the guys have the money. That is how I wound up miking a lawnmower. --scott BRBR For 5 thousand dollars I'll mic a combine. -R Hell, for 5 large I'll mike someone passing gas! But they'll have to bring their own mic. And a can of Lysol.... I was at Howard Stern's studio a few years ago installing the KM150s they use for guest mics, and I witnessed mics (SM58s, if I recall correctly) being subjected to much worse than just passing gas. I cn only hope that they have more potent disenfectant than Lysol at that show... Karl Winkler Lectrosonics, Inc. http://www.lectrosonics.com |
#32
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In article ,
Blind Joni wrote: I am doing a cheap demo for a local young hardcore band..5 songs..live instruments, guitar and vocal overdubs. One 8 hour session, 1 3 hour guitar overdub..and a scheduled mix session..all of which was thouroghly discussed in the one hour consultation. Today..mix session..guitarist calls up..has the flu..tells me he thought they were just gonna come and pick up the final master. I told him..I did some editing but no mix..I thought the band wanted to be present. He told me to finish it. I spent 3 hours total editing and tweaking..plus a trip to my car. Called the guitarist to schedule a pickup..he's in bed..I talk to his mother and tell her they can pick up cd's tomorrow and they owe me for 3 hours. Someone else in the band's father calls me ..asking me how much more money I am going to try and get out of his kids band...threatens to call the Attorney General and then he says he's coming down to the studio. No contract..just verbal. Any ideas? Well, you tell him the truth. They asked you to do it, so you did it. They can pay the money or you can keep the mixdowns. Invite the father to come down to the studio and see what you do and why it costs what it does. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
#33
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In article , JesseJ2
@LogicalArts-remove-to-reply.com says... I think there is not legal requirement to ask for permission, or inform, if you are a direct party to the conversation. No.. this depends on the state. In some states, both parties need to be aware of the recording; in some states, only one. -- Jay Levitt | Wellesley, MA | Hi! Faster: jay at jay dot eff-em | Where are we going? http://www.jay.fm | Why am I in this handbasket? |
#34
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You'd feel even worse about this if you had taken money.
I'd feel better if I still had a copy..... --------------------------------------- "I know enough to know I don't know enough" |
#35
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Minors can't sign a contract.
Whether or not, that doesn't mean he couldn't have given them a document spelling out what was to be done, the rates, etc. |
#36
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"Druhms" wrote in message ... I know this message will offend some people, but I just have to get some insight on how studio owners deal with call after call from idiots?!?!?! So, don't get mad at me for being impatient with ignorant people, I'm trying to learn how to better deal with it. Typical call (at least once a day): Me: Hello, Boogie Tracks. Them: Hi, how much does it cost to make a demo? Me: What are you wanting to do? Them: I just need a demo, I have a friend that has a brother that rented a car to a guy that carried the groceries for a guy that works security at Sony Records, so I need to send him a demo. Me: Ok, so, what do you need to do. Them: I've got a couple songs I need to record, to send to... (see above answer). Me: Ok, so you are a singer? And you have written 2 songs? Them: Yeah Me: Is it just you and a guitar? Them: No, I just got the words, I need the music. Me: So, really, you have half a song? Them: No, I've written 2 songs, I just need the music. Do you got the music there? Me: No, I don't have the music here. You need the other half of the song written, or a chord chart, or even just tell me the chords and we'll hire a guitar player or piano player, whatever you want to play it. Them: Well, I got it in my head, I don't need anyone screwing up the song I wrote. Me: Ok, so what do you want to do? Them: How much does it cost to make a demo? etc............ So you see where this is going? I'm sure I'm not the only one getting all of these calls. What do you guys do? I'm the most expensive guy in town (in hopes of deterring amatures so they will go to the home studios around here) but it doesn't work! I know this makes me sound like an ass, but I'm really starting to lose it. Thanks for the help. In your case I'd recommend just telling him that he's a "dumb caller" This will have the desired effect of causing him to hang up on you, thus wasting no more of your time. Norm Strong |
#37
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"Nick" wrote in message
et... "Scott Dorsey" wrote in message ... I do this. The problem is that sometimes the guys have the money. That is how I wound up miking a lawnmower. Okay, well, you can't just stop there. Now why exactly were you miking a lawn mower? Nick must be new to recording.... (Jack) Douglas began hanging out with Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono. He helped produce some of Ono's music, heavy on experimentation. That's putting it kindly. The strangest moment involved a track called Dead Rat. In the middle of the song, Ono left a 20-second gap. "I had a bad feeling about that hole -- I kept thinking of it as the dead rat solo," he says. Sure enough, he recalls, when all the tracks were cut, Ono's assistant showed up with a shoe box. Inside was a dead rat. Ono wanted it incorporated in the recording. So Douglas had his assistant place it on a stool and set up an expensive mike inches away. "Yoko wanders in like nothing, and says, "I see you have the rat ready to go -- let's get right to it,"' he says. "When the 20-second dead spot comes, I push up the fader. I'm listening. There's no noise, and I stop tape, and say to Yoko, "It's not quite right, is it?' And she says, "No, Jack, there's something wrong.' " Douglas had his assistant, stifling laughter, move the mike closer to the rat. "We do it again. I push the fader up, this time with a little smile and I say, "I think that's much better.' And she says, "That's a take.' " |
#38
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"Scott Dorsey" wrote in message
... Well, you tell him the truth. They asked you to do it, so you did it. They can pay the money or you can keep the mixdowns. Invite the father to come down to the studio and see what you do and why it costs what it does. Oh, man. I don't know. All he needs is this guy telling him what he's doing wrong in the mix ("my son should be LOUDER"). Of course that would be an excellent way to rope this guy in, as long as he agrees to pay while he "supervises" the mixdown..... |
#39
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"EricK" wrote in message
... An order scribbled on a notepad is certainly not a legal binding agreement. The waiter does not have me sign it. Sometime I wish they would have me sign it, that way I would be assured that my order is correct. Ah...only in RAP do I get to enjoy such sublime discussions |
#40
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just got one
"Wecording Center" "WhassUp?" What may I help you with? What do you do? We are a recording studio. Do you record songs? Yes, Studio rate is $50/hour. What does that include? Studio and engineer. Oh--Alright--Click! What the hell am I to do with that? Richard H. Kuschel "I canna change the law of physics."-----Scotty |
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